Downtown Tiffin applying to be on HGTV show

Amy Reinhart, Downtown Main Street manager for Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership, has submitted a nomination for Downtown Tiffin to be on HGTV's new series "Home Town Takeover," according to a TSEP news release. Ben and Erin Napier, hosts of the series, are to be leading a team of renovation professionals as they "takeover and makeover" an entire small town in the six-episode special event slated to air on HGTV in 2021, the release said. According to a press release from HGTV, the Napiers have experience in whole-town transformation. They've not only helped rescue and enhance dozens of homes in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi, they've played a pivotal role in helping revitalize the city's downtown while preserving and celebrating the town's architectural treasures, endemic charm and historic features. The release states that HGTV is launching a nationwide call to find towns for the series. Residents also may nominate Tiffin by visiting hgtvhometowntakeover.com and filling out the form. Application deadline is Feb. 7. The revitalization of downtown Tiffin began in 2011 when a group of community members joined together in "Tiffin Tomorrow" with the goal of promoting and encouraging economic development in downtown Tiffin. They created plans, programs and actions to ensure long-term vitality and prosperity, the release said. In 2014, the city contracted with TSEP, then Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Crop., to act as the downtown organization and "Tiffin Tomorrow" became the TSEP Downtown Development Committee, which serves as the governing board of the downtown organization. In 2015, Tiffin joined Heritage Ohio's Ohio Main Street Program. Since January 2016, Tiffin has had $29 million invested in downtown, 43 new businesses opened and 119 new jobs were created. There are currently 174 businesses downtown, including restaurants, retail, professional offices and government buildings. For more information on the nominating process or the new series from HGTV, visit https://www.hgtv.com/shows/home-town/ben-and-erin-take-home-town-on-the-road-in-new-hgtv-series-home-town-takeover.