About JDDC

The soul of Jackson lives in our Downtown District. The Jackson Downtown Development Corporation (JDDC) works to enhance the quality of life in Jackson and the economic prospects of Jackson through the purposeful design, promotion and facilitation of strategic investment in its Downtown District. Our efforts drive economic development leading to the creation of a unique and vibrant community which encourages people to live, work and visit Downtown Jackson.

Main Street Community

Over the past 35 years, the National Main Street Center has led the development of a national network of over 2,000 historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts: Main Street America™. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, Main Street America™ represents the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. The Main Street movement grew out of a recognition that a community is only as strong as its core and in downtown Jackson, we believe the same. Our downtown has been accredited with Main Street America for over 25 years!

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Beth Ann Simpson is the Downtown Director for Downtown Jackson, TN. She has been in Jackson since 2005, when she came to Jackson to attend Lambuth University, now the University of Memphis at Lambuth. She has always loved the downtown and midtown areas, and she has had the experience of watching this area grow into what it is today, seeing the immense potential it still has for growth in the years to come. She has a masters degree in Leadership and Policy Studies and feels that her 12 years of experience in higher education has given her a love for fostering community, connecting people to resources, and advocating for solutions to alleviate barriers.
Katie Weatherford is the Communications Director for theCO, leveraging her expertise in graphic design and passion for community development to amplify Downtown’s mission. A proud Jackson native, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Freed Hardeman University. Previously, as the Director of the McNairy County Chamber of Commerce, she discovered her knack for community event planning and marketing tailored to support small businesses. With her creative eye and strategic approach, Katie continues to amplify theCO's community engagement efforts.
Maddie Steele serves as Editor-in-Chief of Our Jackson Home and Communications Manager for theCO. She is a writer and photographer who loves telling real and authentic stories from behind the camera or on the page. Maddie came to Jackson to attend Union University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism with a minor in photojournalism. She also owns her wedding and portrait photography business, which allows her to capture love stories in Tennessee and across the country. Her passion is to communicate authentically and tell meaningful stories of people in the Jackson community.