Monterey Looks to Build Its Brand Through Partnership With TTU

Monterey took the first step in building a new brand with the help of Tennessee Tech’s Center for Rural Innovation.

Monterey Alderman Nathan Walker said Wednesday’s meeting with TTU’s Economic Development team showed him the partnership will give direction to the town’s tourism goal. Walker said his next step is about getting the community to buy in and see the benefits of outside investment.

“Most people in Monterey, you know want better options for more retail, for more restaurants and the service industries that go along with that of course, you know we all wanna see those things expand but we also want to be able to maintain our small town values,” Walker said.

However, Walker said after Wednesday he’s most excited about how many residents seem to want to get engaged in this partnership. Walker said this program is going to be the building block to branding and marketing Monterey for tourism and business.

“Using this program as a kind of a mechanism to help the branding and future marketing of Monterey as not only a business destination but a tourism destination,” Walker said.

First though, Walker said it’s about strengthening the current image. People know Monterey exists in the region, but they might not know there’s things to see like the Bee Rock Overlook or Meadow Creek Park.

“We want to really strengthen the image of Monterey, let people know there’s things to do, there’s a reason to come to Monterey,” Walker said.

The goal of TTU’s Center for Rural Innovation is to help rural regions build businesses through technical assistance. This center serves all 14 counties in the Upper Cumberland.