Developers, City Leaders Bet on Downtown Growth
When Maryville completed its Downtown Master Plan in 2024, the research painted a picture of the downtown business landscape. The business mix included mostly restaurants, government services and health care. Businesses in the study area numbered around 280, with 7,400 workers and only a few hundred residents. In other words, Maryville’s downtown was a source […]
Lessons from the Leadership Learning Lab
By Trevis Garner | Founder & Principle of Blockhouse Services Group Leadership is often described as the secret sauce of success. As we look at businesses, churches, governments, organizations or practically any collection or assembly of people who are linked by a common purpose, we can see examples where strong leadership enabled success in circumstances […]
One Week in the Life of a Greenback Family Working Together to Build a Popular Barbecue Food Truck Business
It’s tricky to figure out how many food trucks are operating in Blount County. However, just the city of Maryville reports more than 35 are permitted to operate within city limits. There could be many more in the county. But in 2024, when AJ Jenkins started telling his wife, Cristie, sons Jayden, 17, Caleb, 18, […]
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, […]
Navy Veteran Opens Back Nine Golf Franchise at Springbrook Farm
Local entrepreneur and recently retired U.S. Navy aviator Antonio Alemar is set to open his first Back Nine indoor golf facility next month in Springbrook Farm near Just Love Coffee Cafe. The Back Nine is an indoor golf simulator franchise that allows members to play golf year-round in a climate-controlled setting. The Alcoa location features […]
Mac’s Pharmacies Consolidates Lowe’s Drug Store, City Drugs
After almost 100 years of operation, Lowe’s Drug closed its East Broadway location last month to consolidate with City Drugs on Lamar Alexander Parkway. “There were a number of factors that came into play,” explained Mac’s Hometown Pharmacies CEO Morgan Hunnicutt. “One of the biggest factors was the battle against Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)” like […]
Rage Room Adds Franken Dogs Restaurant to Service Offering
Rocky Top Rage Room owners Brittany Willis and husband Tim Williamson expanded their Maryville business in February by opening Franken Dogs at 1811 W. Broadway Ave. Franken Dogs operates next door to the rage room and serves customizable hot dogs and specials, along with canned and bottled beverages. About 95% of the menu centers on […]
Maryville College Grad Earns Partner Role at LeConte Wealth
Maryville College graduate Alex Willard has been promoted to partner at Le Conte Wealth, where he will serve as director of Purpose-Built Planning and client advisor. “Alex has earned this through his passion for helping clients, embracing our team-first culture, and developing into a leader in both internal and community endeavors,” said Kevin Painter, managing […]
Ayoka Ranch to Open 10,000 Square Foot Venue Near Tail of the Dragon
After four years of planning and construction, Alyssa and Brendan Nickle will host their first event at Ayoka Ranch in April. The event center sits on 58 acres near the Tail of the Dragon and includes a 10,000-square-foot event barn, groom’s lounge, bridal suite and plans for 19 onsite rental cabins. “We’re wrapping up construction […]
Brumit Restaurant Group, Inc. to Open Arby’s Restaurant on US. 411
Multi-brand restaurant company Inspire Brands will open its 134th Arby’s store this month at 2107 U.S. Highway 411 South, near the Waffle House and where Secure Self Storage is under construction, according to District Manager Rebecca Clark. Clark said she is seeking management staff and that construction on the building should begin this month. The […]
Sellars Becomes Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Charles “Charlie” Sellars has been named superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after more than a year as acting superintendent, park spokesperson Katie Liming announced in late February. Raised in Clyde, North Carolina, Sellars became acting superintendent in January 2025 after former superintendent Cassius Cash resigned to become CEO and president of the […]
Maryville College Launches Online Alumni Business Directory
Maryville College has launched a public-facing alumni business directory to promote Scot-to-Scot support after graduation. The free listing service offers alumni-owned businesses the opportunity to connect and display branding at their workplaces. “We’ve been working to make sure alumni are connected with students, connected with the Career Center to offer mentorship, internships, job opportunities and […]
Siemens Breaks Ground on Pellissippi Place Manufacturing Facility
Leading German multinational technology conglomerate Siemens AG has begun construction of an 82,000-square-foot medical device research, development and manufacturing facility at Pellissippi Place, according to Jeff Muir, communications director for the Blount Partnership. Construction is expected to take 18 months to complete. Founded in 1847, Siemens employs more than 318,000 people worldwide, but estimates for […]
Waylon’s Place Reopens in Townsend with New Management and Vision
Townsend family restaurant Waylon’s Place reopened March 1 under new general management, according to owners Keith and Shawna Freant. Missy Loveday has worked in the restaurant business for more than a decade and brings experience from Riverstone Family Restaurant, Good Vibes & More in Townsend, as well as several restaurants in Gulf Shores, Alabama. “I […]
Tennessee Program Helps Businesses Tap Grants, Tax Credits for Hiring
A new state employment incentive program launched in November 2025 seeks to make it easier for employers to access business incentives, tax credits and fund talent pipeline development. “Basically, TNWorks creates a no-wrong-door approach to workforce development for any size business,” explained Tyler Asher, assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. […]
