Paris Honored For Economic & Community Development Excellence

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –For developing strategies that benefit small local businesses and big box retail centers, the Tennessee Municipal League honored Paris for Excellence in Economic and Community Development. The award was presented at the 86th annual TML Conference and Expo, hosted at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport over the weekend.

Commissioner Sam Tharpe, Mayor Kathy Ray, City Manager Kim Foster, and City Commissioner Vickey Roberts accepted the award for the city.

Paris Community Development Director Jessica Crouch said, “I am beyond thrilled that we were chosen to receive this award. The City of Paris has taken a highly intentional and collaborative approach to economic and community development, recognizing that sustainable growth requires alignment between public investment, private development, and community identity. What distinguishes Paris is not a single project, but a unified strategy that connects retail recruitment, downtown revitalization, tourism development, and infrastructure investment into one cohesive vision. The City consistently works across departments and with regional partners to ensure that growth is both strategic and community driven. Through this approach, Paris has strengthened its position as a regional destination for shopping, dining, tourism, and investment while preserving the historic character and small-town identity that defines the community.”

As many municipalities balance the desire to attract national retailers while also supporting home-grown small businesses, the city of Paris has implemented a comprehensive and coordinated community and economic development strategy that brings together retail recruitment, downtown revitalization, tourism development, and infrastructure investment under one framework.

The strategy laid out by Paris officials incorporates three core pillars: economic growth, revitalization and sustainability, and destination-based tourism. By incorporating these goals, city leaders are making economic development decisions that are intentional, collaborative, and align private development, public investment, and community identity. These values are applied as an overarching strategy that promotes economic development but not at the cost of what makes Paris unique.

By employing strategic recruitment efforts, the city has attracted several new commercial investments that expand consumer access and the local tax base. The Paris Crossings Shopping Center is a significant retail development that includes nationally-recognized brands like Hobby Lobby, Ulta, TJMaxx, PetSmart, Rack Room Shoes, Bath & Body Works, Aldi, Burlington, and Five Below. New food and beverage options in the city include Zaxby’s, Starbucks, 7 Brew, and Scooter’s. Combined, these major retailers have made Paris a regional shopping and dining destination, bringing in outside tax revenue to benefit local residents.

Additionally, the city navigated the annexation process to bring new commercial developments into the city limits, leveraging the benefits of access to municipal services to recruit key commercial investments. The city has also developed a data-informed recruitment strategy for retail in partnership with the Tennessee Retail Alliance, using Placer.ai to analyze traffic patterns, consumer behavior, and demographic data to create personalized recruitment packets for prospective retailers and better target businesses in line with local needs and values.

Digital branding and communications have helped modernize the city’s marketing strategies and outreach, allowing for clearer communication to developers about opportunities and economic data. The city partnered with the Paris-Henry County Industrial Committee, the Paris Board of Public Utilities, and the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce to ensure consistent communication across organizations.

These efforts complement a strong focus on supporting existing businesses, particularly those rooted within Paris’ historic downtown district. The local small businesses that belong to the Downtown Paris Association serve as both economic engine and the cultural centerpiece that draws so many to the community. In working with these businesses, Paris’ Public Works Department maintains a high standard of cleanliness and upkeep while the Paris Police Department provides a dedicated patrol officer to maintain downtown Paris as vibrant, charming, and safe for customers.

The city participated in the TNECD Downtown Improvement Grant program to help downtown property owners maintain their properties. The exterior improvements have restored historic features, enhanced curb appeal, increased foot traffic, improved property values, and instilled confidence in downtown businessowners. Preserving the unique character of downtown also enhances a sense of community and attracts tourists looking for one-of-a-kind experiences.

Tourism is another key piece of economic development for Paris. Eiffel Tower Park attracts more than 465,000 annual visitors for its Eiffel Tower replica, splash pad, and community programming. Events and seasonal programming like the World’s Biggest Fish Fry, Tennessee River Jam, Spooktacular, the Easter Egg Hunt, Concerts in the Park, Splashing Through the Snow, and Glow Over Paris help reaffirm a sense of community identity while also drawing visitors who spend money at local businesses while they are in town.

Each year, the Tennessee Municipal League honors towns and cities across the state for excellence, outstanding programs and projects, and municipal department accomplishments. Award winners for 2026 include Clarksburg for Small City Progress, Cookeville for Excellence in Fire Service, Gatlinburg for Excellence in Public Works and Innovation, Maryville for Excellence in Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Newport for Parks and Recreation, and McMinnville for Excellence in Overall Municipal Governance.

Founded in 1940 and based in Nashville, the Tennessee Municipal League serves as the voice of and advocate for Tennessee’s 345 towns and cities.

Paris Honored For Economic & Community Development Excellence

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