The Tryon Town Council voted against applying for a $200,000 grant from the State of North Carolina’s Main Street Solutions program. Owner McCray Smith and Downtown Pioneers approached the county with a request for a partnership. They wanted to initiate the revitalization of downtown Tryon by refurbishing the former federal buildings. Court records stated the buildings are scheduled to be foreclosed upon June 17, but the owner claims no knowledge thereof. The developers argued the deadline for the grant was May 20, and they had just discovered the opportunity. Furthermore, the economy was improving, so bids would be increasing.