Landmark re-opens for a new generation of community events

February 26, 2009 - COVINGTON, Tenn.—USDA Rural Development Area Director Harriet Cannon joined Tipton Arts Council President Jeff Yarbrough today for the official grand re-opening of the Historic Ruffin Theatre in downtown Covington. Covington Mayor David Gordon cut the ribbon during the Covington/Tipton Chamber of Commerce’s “Breakfast in Touch” hosted this month by the Arts Council at the Ruffin.

"It's great that the Arts Council has restored a piece of Covington's history and now made it and important part of our future," said Cannon. "Places where people can come together for learning and entertainment strengthen our community, so I'm glad Rural Development has the resources to help make it possible here at the Ruffin Theatre."

The Ruffin opened in 1936 as a 682 seat movie house and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rural Development financed renovations designed to return the landmark building to its original look and make it a viable venue for cultural and other community events and meetings. Accessibility was also improved to bring the facility into compliance with federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Rural development provided the Arts Council with a $40,000 grant and $230,000 community facilities loan.

Yarbrough said, "The renovations and addition financed by Rural Development provide badly needed facilities that make it possible for us to promote cultural events for people in Tipton County. We don’t have to go to Memphis for a great evening out, but more important, we are bringing home new educational opportunities as well."

Recent productions at the Ruffin have attracted more than 1,500 people and included Dr. Dolittle, Clue and Barefoot in the Park. The theatre also hosts local performances by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Miss Tipton County Pageant and monthly Bluegrass. A new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory opens March 6 and Earl Thomas Conley will also perform in March. Steel Magnolias will be presented in June.

Rural Development’s community facilities program uses direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to provide rural areas with the financial resources to construct or improve essential services like healthcare, education, civic facilities, and first responder protection. The loan-guarantee program encourages private lenders to expand their investment of capital in rural communities. Community facilities programs target rural areas with a population less than 20,000.

Others participating in the event included Sen. Lamar Alexander's representative Josh Thomas, Rep. John Tanner’s representative Margaret Black, Covington/Tipton Chamber Executive Director Lee Johnston, Arts Council Board Members Mark Holder, Mary-K Balzell, Cecil Yancy, Barbara McBride, Teresa Connell, Elaine Hollingsworth, Sam Willcut, Jimmy Sears, Shaina Kinney, Sonny Holderbaugh and RD Area Office Staff Bish Thomas.

Committed to the future of rural communities in Tennessee, USDA Rural Development invests financial and technical assistance through housing, community and business development programs. In Fiscal Year 2008 Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through loans, loan guarantees and grants.

For more information on Rural Development programs available in southwest Tennessee contact the Area Office in Jackson at 731-668-2091 ext 2, toll free at (800) 342-3149 ext. 1495, or online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.