Tag Archives: Tourism

The Clay Chamber of Commerce will serve as a host for the state’s Rural Outdoor Taskforce meeting on Wednesday, January 19th. Director Doug Young said that the purpose of the meeting is to get local input and to discuss opportunities to leverage state lands to grow rural tourism. “Like Standing Stone State Park is just seven miles away from us,” ... Read More »

The Upper Cumberland Development District is looking to hire a Tourism Recovery Coordinator. Director Mark Farley said the position was created last year using a grant opportunity to help ramp back up the tourism industry post-pandemic. He said that the person serving in this role could have a huge impact on the region. “You know we’ve got a lot of ... Read More »

Pickett County’s authentic log cabin, the Amonett House, aiming to finish rebuilding work by the first of the year. Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Billy Robbins said the county has wanted to turn the 1830s cabin into an attraction for some time. He said it was a $25,000 ThreeStar grant and additional help from the Ammonett family that ... Read More »

McMinnville’s Tourism Development Board is on the hunt for a new administrator. Chairperson Sarah Cantrell said that with growth in tourism for the area, it’s become an increasing need to have someone as the contact point for the board. “You don’t really hear about tourism-related jobs a lot but it’s very specific in an economic development board where your sole ... Read More »

Monterey will further invest in its tourism industry by paying for more exposure in the Tennessee Vacation Guide. The Guide is a magazine and online publication that highlights tourism destinations across the state. Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said that previously they paid for a small feature of the depot in the physical magazine. He said that the cost will now ... Read More »

Pickett County’s Amonett House will be restored with $25,000 of grant funding through Tennessee’s ThreeStar program. Byrdstown-Pickett County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Billy Robbins said the Amonett family is going to provide the remaining money on the $35,000 project. Robbins said there has been interest for nearly a decade from tourists curious about the county’s oldest home. “Constantly people ... Read More »

DeKalb County has been awarded $50,000 through Tennessee’s ThreeStar program to improve the county’s agriculture building. Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Suzanne Williams said the exterior of the building is complete, with work left to be done inside. Williams said the plan is to add a large commercial kitchen and meeting spaces. “We just hope this will benefit ... Read More »

Overton County is looking to re-brand, boost tourism and strengthen its workforce through Tennessee’s ThreeStar program. Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shannon Cantrell said signage leading tourists downtown, a new county website and developing internship programs are what is planned. Cantrell said a bulk of the $50,000 grant will go towards online improvements. “Everything has moved to online ... Read More »

Governor Bill Lee said that he wants to ramp up the tourism industry both across the state and in the Upper Cumberland at his visit to Jackson County on Thursday afternoon. Lee said after tourism took a hit during the pandemic, the state has invested a lot into the industry. This includes the many state parks located in rural communities ... Read More »

The Jackson County Chamber’s new Executive Director said her work has already started. Hope Vargas said she’s meeting with other Tennessee counties to see what can be replicated to boost tourism. Vargas said she is talking with a kayak group in Rhea County to see what can be done to improve outdoor recreation. “Hopefully see what comes from that, but ... Read More »