Pickett Establishes Official Tourism Commission

The Pickett County Commission approved the formation of an official tourism commission at its meeting Monday night.

County Executive Stephen Bilbrey said this comes as part of the recently established occupancy tax. He said those tax dollars will go directly to fund tourism and economic development.

“And that was part of the resolution to establish a tourism commission,” Bilbrey said. “To help give some ideas and things to the county commission on how to better spend that money to help bring more folks into Pickett County.”

Bilbrey said the commission will have three permanent positions. That includes the County Executive, City Mayor, and Chamber of Commerce Director.

Bilbrey said the other commission members include one county commission and one city council member. He said they also invited tourism stakeholders such as marina operators and hotel owners to serve and bring their knowledge to the commission.

“To kind of get all of them to come together and see how they would like to see that money spent,” Bilbrey said. “And then basically bring in more sales tax to Pickett County.”

The commission includes County Commissioner Deborah Garrett, Town Councilman Johnny Sells, Hotel/Motel Owner Rachel Smalling, Property Manager Rachel Dennis, two marina operators, and a representative from the Tennessee Department of Tourism.