(Originally published in February 5’s issue of the Brownsville Press)

HGTV, the television network that broadcasts primarily home improvement and real estate programming, is picking one lucky town for its “biggest renovation project ever” and a group of local dreamers are hoping that that town is Brownsville.

Since mid-January, a grassroots team of Haywood Countians passionate about the town have been putting together a video that would sell Brownsville to HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover” show. The hosts of the program are Ben and Erin Napier, famous for their other HGTV show, “Home Town”, where they revitalize their small town of Laurel, Miss.

Chris McCain, co-producer, videographer and editor of the video, explained the HGTV producers only have a few requirements for the town they’ll pick. “The town they’re looking for has to have a population of less than 40,000, have ‘homes with great architecture longing to be revealed’ and ‘a Main street that needs a facelift.’ Brownsville definitely fits the bill.”
In addition to McCain, who is with McCain Creative, volunteers organizing the submission were Casey Berry, Sharon Hayes with Haywood Heritage Foundation, Rita Hathcock, and Mary Ann Sharpe with Main Street Brownsville. Carlton Veirs of Brownsville Press and Brownsville Radio helped tighten up the script which was voiced by area pastor and educator, Jay Boyd, and Berry. Music for the video was provided by Bryan Hayes and a special-made banner was contributed by Chris Morey of Ferocious Graphix.

The three-and-a-half-minute video takes viewers on a tour across Brownsville, highlighting its strengths and showcasing the things that would appeal to HGTV producers, but it also gives a look into the struggles Brownsville faces when trying to improve the community. As Boyd says in the video, “We’ve tried very hard to make Brownsville a good place to live. But in a town of about 10,000, our resources are limited. Old homes have been renovated, and so have downtown historic buildings … Main Street has new improvements … but there is so much more to be done.”

“There are a lot of really deserving towns out there. Our situation here in Brownsville isn’t really unique when compared to other rural towns. But what is unique about Brownsville is the passion we have to make where we’re living better. We’re not sitting by and watching as our home town falls apart. We want to do something about it. Pair that passion with our rich history, famous musical talent and renowned local eateries and we’ve got a TV producer’s dream,” said McCain. “This place is special. We think HGTV will agree.”

You can watch the video submission here: HGTV Hometown – Takeover Brownsville, TN

(PHOTO: The court square was full of Haywood Countians Thursday, January 30, as they asked HGTV to take over Brownsville. The clip, filmed by an overhead drone, is the closing shot of a video being submitted to the network which is looking for a town to renovate. – courtesy Chris McCain)

Brooke McCain, Managing editor
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