Townsend Adds Oversight to Rental Market
Townsend formalized oversight of its short-term rental market through a permitting and inspection system during its regular Board of Commissioners meeting May 19. City staff said the changes are aimed at improving safety standards and giving the city better visibility into the industry. The new ordinance requires short-term rental operators to maintain a city-issued permit […]
Greenback Eyes Food Truck Rules Ahead of Growth Expectations
The Town of Greenback is moving toward its first formal food truck regulations, a step town officials say is less about cracking down on vendors than getting ahead of anticipated growth before a problem arises. The topic is expected to come before the town board for discussion as soon as its next meeting, according to […]
Alcoa Overhauls Sign Ordinances, Offering Path to Digital Billboards with Fewer Locations
Changes to Alcoa’s sign ordinances approved in May will mean an easier process that what has been in place for developers to find pertinent information — and potentially fewer billboards in town. The new ordinances will allow advertising companies to swap static billboards for their digital cousins as long as they meet a 16-point list […]
Townsend Riverwalk Gearing Up for Next Development Phase
The Townsend Riverwalk and Arboretum is preparing for a new phase of development, offering an asset that could draw more visitors and families to the area. Organizers said the volunteer project is shifting from reclamation to broader community programming. They have plans for a nature learning center, outdoor library and expanded educational opportunities. “We want […]
Prisma Health Wins Rezoning for Outpatient Complex Near Royal Oaks Subdivision Homes
The Maryville City Council approved a rezoning request May 5 by Prisma Health — the corporate owner of Blount Memorial Hospital — that would allow the company to build an outpatient facility on Golf View Drive. The land affected, totaling about 16 acres, sits alongside the Royal Oaks subdivision in Maryville. If completed, the facility […]
Faith, Community Drive Greenback Coffee Shop’s Long-awaited Opening in June
After nearly five years of renovation, setbacks and unwavering faith, a Greenback man is preparing to open the Old Bank Brewhouse and Social — a coffee shop, candy store, community classroom and gathering space he describes less as a business than a ministry. Owner Jason Mingee, 52, signed the lease on the former bank building […]
Alcoa Eyes New Fire Station Site Amid Growth
Alcoa officials have tentatively authorized a land purchase to replace a fire station in a growing service area, signaling continued investment in public safety infrastructure amid development. The purchase agreement, approved by city commissioners last month, is currently in the due diligence phase. The city would acquire land on Hawks Landing Drive to build a […]
Safety Fixes Planned for Lowes Ferry curve
Louisville is moving to fix a safety issue on Lowes Ferry Road as it works to protect access to one of its publicly-funded recreation assets. The town plans to install a series of low-cost safety measures within weeks at an S-curve near Poland Creek Campground, one of only two access points to the site. According […]
Townsend Eyes Rules on Rentals, Workforce
Townsend officials are preparing to use a new community plan to guide decisions on short-term rentals, workforce housing and future development in the city’s tourism-driven economy. The Community Plan Advisory Committee delivered the plan to the city manager’s office March 17. City Manager Don Stallions said he expects the city to begin using it to […]
Southwest Airlines Completes Inaugural Flight to McGhee Tyson Airport
Southwest Airlines Flight 3534 from Nashville arrives at McGhee Tyson Airport at 12:23 p.m. on March 5, marking the airline’s inaugural flight and the start of regular service to Knoxville. Initial destinations will include Baltimore, Dallas, Nashville and Orlando, with Austin, Denver and Tampa expected to be added in the future. Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority […]
Community Unites to Transform Rockford School Courtyard Outdoor Space
Rockford Elementary School officials, city leaders and area businesses have partnered to convert an underutilized central courtyard into an outdoor center focused on giving students a place to read, gain hands-on gardening experience and gather for small events. “We’re calling it our Reading and Exploration Center,” explained Principal Chad Tipton. The idea for the project […]
Contract Awarded for LPRF Grant Project
The Friendsville Board of Mayor and Commissioners awarded a $340,246 contract to Oak Ridge-based Nitzschke Communications, Inc. at its March 5 meeting to complete a Tennessee Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant-funded project. Although the Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation Grants awarded the funds in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project and increased material […]
Alcoa Seeks Vendors for June FreedomFest
Alcoa will accept vendor applications to join its annual Independence Day celebration, FreedomFest, until March 31. City staff said vendors will know whether they have been accepted by April 2. The event, scheduled for June 27, promises visitors music, entertainment and a professional fireworks show. Emily Assenmacher, public information officer and event coordinator for Alcoa, […]
Plan Aims to Support Future Development in Louisville
Louisville will spend $30,000 to create a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to unlock the potential for future infrastructure improvement grants ahead of anticipated regional growth. According to staff with the East Tennessee Development District, the plan would help town officials identify infrastructure in need of upgrades and repairs to improve local road safety. Chris Oelgotz, […]
Maryville Housing Authority to Increase Low-Income Housing Opportunities in 2026
Maryville Housing Development Corporation announced it will break ground this month on a $3 million, 11-unit housing complex near the Blount County Health Department on McNabb Place. The development will include a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments. The project is part of a broader effort to improve existing properties and expand affordable housing options […]
GSMP Survives Proposed Funding Cuts
The National Park System remained open and funded thanks to federal appropriations approved Jan. 23, despite a partial government shutdown in early February. The Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act ensured $2.88 billion in funding for the country’s national parks through the end of FY2026 – a figure mostly steady with […]
Zoning Ordinance Changes Streamline Permit Processes and References, Control Density
A new version of Louisville’s zoning ordinances approved Jan. 13 will increase clarity for developers, according to city staff. The new document collects amendments to its outdated predecessor and consolidates the regulatory framework to streamline permitting and reference. Business owners, Louisville Building and Codes Official Barry Otinger said, can now expect “clarification of what the […]
Townsend Eyes Permit Change to Reduce Event Uncertainty, Streamline Approvals
Townsend staff said a proposed ordinance would shift special event permit approvals from a public vote by the Townsend Commission to an administrative review by city staff, a change officials say is intended to streamline the process without increasing the number of events. Under the new framework, applications would be reviewed administratively by the city […]
Pistol Creek Stormwater Work to Begin Immediately, Prepare for Future Development
Alcoa will pay $1.2 million for stormwater infrastructure off Faraday Street, setting the stage to open an interior section of the Springbrook Farm development. The scheduled work will begin immediately and allow construction on the Werner Avenue corridor to continue. It also enables installations like the anticipated Alcoa Costco location. “We’re going to put in […]
Donations, Grants Fund Louisville Park Improvements and Disc Golf Course
Public input and grant dollars are fueling Louisville’s park improvements, with several hundred thousand dollars set to enable work on the Poland Creek Campground and Recreation Area and Town Hall Playground. Town officials have also approved plans for a disc golf course near the town hall. The plans stem from consultation with citizens obtained while […]
Townsend Prepares for Annual Winter Beer Fest
Company Distilling in Townsend will play host to the annual Tennessee Winter Beer Fest Feb. 21, an event that has raised more than $266,000 to date for the New Hope Children’s Advocacy Center. The hoppy celebration promises all-you-can-drink access to at least 20 breweries and helps fill an expanding gap in the nonprofit’s funding. The […]
