At this year’s Grainger County Tomato Festival, Clinch-Powell had the pleasure of hosting a space where residents could share their “Dream for Downtown” and vision for the future of Rutledge.

Festival-goers were invited to stop by our tent to participate in a visual survey, where they selected various images that resonated with them. The goal? To gather feedback on the kinds of places and improvements people would like to see in Rutledge.

The turnout was incredible, and the responses were insightful. Residents shared ideas big and small, ranging from more family-friendly spaces to local businesses that meet everyday needs. Some attendees mentioned wanting places for outdoor recreation and gatherings, along with more spaces for teens/young adults

Community development is about more than just projects—it’s about listening. Events like these help us understand what matters most to the people who live here, work here, and visit here, so we can better support initiatives that build stronger, healthier communities.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by, chat with us, and contribute to this important conversation. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Rutledge—and we’re excited to help make it happen.