Page 7 - Murfreesboro, TN Comprehensive Plan: Chapter 7, Economic Development

Economic Development 7.7

DRAFT 12.02.15

Open Space Districts: permanently protected park visiting Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and University of
areas, civic spaces, habitat conservation districts, Virginia, Charlottesville has absorbed the place-based
and recreational areas. economic strategy and is using it to attract visitors year-
round.
Corridors: linear systems connecting multiple areas
of the city, typically following highways, railroads, Asheville, North Carolina has capitalized on their
waterways, parkways, and greenways. location in the Blue Ridge Mountains to establish itself
as a place-based economy. With tourism as one of the
SELECT COMPARISON CITIES UTILIZING city’s major industries, Buncombe County tourists added
PLACE-BASED ECONOMICS an estimated $1.7 billion dollars, approximately $4.7
Greenville, South Carolina is a comparison city and million each day, to the local economy in 2014. While
good example of a community that has incorporated the main tourism attraction is the autumn outdoors
place-based economics as a means of attracting visitors with the changing landscape, Asheville has established
to their city. Through public-private partnerships with itself as a thriving arts scene as well as a food and drink
developers, community and faith groups, and other destination. The Biltmore Estate, the largest privately
organizations, the City has made strategic, place- owned house is the country, was constructed in Asheville
based investments that have allowed the downtown in the 1890s and has been a major tourist attraction for
to become a vibrant center and home to restaurants, the area for the past fifty years. Driving along the Blue
shops, businesses, and residential housing. Greenville Ridge Parkway, hiking in the mountains around the city,
is recognized as a model for downtown redevelopment or attending one of the many holiday events, Asheville
planning and has lived-up to its motto as having, has a place-based economy which thrives year-round.
“one of America’s most dynamic downtowns.” These
investments have benefitted the city as a whole CONCLUSION
by improving neighborhoods, making streetscape Place-based economics can be employed by any city
improvements, providing more retail and office with a unique identifier or niche which differentiates it
space, and creating opportunities for larger economic from other communities. The City of Murfreesboro has
development. to decide on their unique features and appropriately
market those features to attract visitors, historians,
Charlottesville, Virginia is another comparison city which
is benefiting from a place-based economic development outdoor enthusiasts, and/or art and music lovers.
strategy. The city has capitalized on its historic sites, a Visitors bring additional income which strengthens
vibrant downtown, an arts and entertainment scene, the local economy, thereby allowing the city to make
and is an excellent place for outdoor enthusiasts. In improvements to further attract visitors and to beautify
2013, Charlottesville and Albemarle County saw a 4.3 their city.
percent increase in tourism revenue from the previous What are the noteworthy attributes does Murfreesboro
year for a total of $523.7 million. From its vineyards possess that could be used to brand the city as a unique
and wine tours to kayaking on the Moormans River, to place, worthy of visiting and spending time?

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, NC STONES RIVER NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
Source: National Park Service