"The Amp"

Rural and underserved communities rarely make the list when "placemaking" is discussed. Many don't receive upgrades until property values rise and long-time residents are priced out. It can often feel that residents have not been given an opportunity or resources to contribute to the development and the future of their own communities. 

"theAmp" is a placemaking mobile lab that helps rural and distressed communities amplify local resources and strengthen connections between people and the places they share.  

theAmp process moves from a  "Big Table, Big Ideas" community kickoff, to interactive sharing of ideas and what participants love and imagine for their home and onto solutions that can be achieved through coaching, collaborative effort and lots of elbow grease. Think of it like one of those home improvement shows – just imagine that the "home" is the community itself. 

Rural and underserved communities are rarely make the list when "placemaking" is discussed. Many don't receive upgrades until property values  rise and long-time residents are priced out. For these residents, it can feel that they have not been given an opportunity or resources to contribute to the development and the future of their own communities. 

The “Tennessee Driving Innovation” initiative maintains three mobile units that serve people in Tennessee’s rural and distressed counties (income ranked in bottom 10% of all counties in the U.S.) with (1) a mobile STEM lab, (2) a business training center, and (3) a community development catalyst. Through outreach to 4-H clubs, events, schools, and community centers, TN Driving Innovation has reached more than 16,000 people since 2016. 

"theAmp" is a placemaking mobile lab that helps rural and distressed communities amplify their local resources and strengthen connections between people and the places they share.  

With a  "Big Table, Big Ideas" community dinner kickoff, theAmp provides interactive areas where community members can share ideas and describe what they love and imagine for their home. Solutions are then compiled and presented as an action plan that can be achieved through coaching, collaborative effort and lots of elbow grease. Think of it like one of those home improvement shows – just imagine that the "home" is the community itself. 

theAmp is, essentially, a bus. A big, bright bus that visits rural or distressed communities to help residents think differently about their home. theAmp's process is like a civic booster shot – bringing individuals together and giving them space and encouragement to talk together about their ideas and then work together to make them happen. 

While the process may sound simple, the combination of a bus, a big meal, encouragement to dream, and an achievable plan for action turn out to be the right recipe for community transformation. 

theAmp's placemaking process utilizes technology to help residents turn their vision into reality. From branding and design to modeling and spec-ing, the Amp is equipped with hardware from drones to computers and design software (and designers) to help residents see how their ideas can come to life.

4 full-time

2 part-time

Funded by grants from the state of Tennessee and the federal government.