Benchmarks 2024 | Section F | Perspectives

PERSPECTIVES

MAIN STREET GREENEVILLE: MARKED MILESTONES IN

BY JANN MIRKOV

When people speak of Main Street Greeneville it often means just that, Main Street, State Highway 321 that runs through the center of our beautiful historic downtown. There is however another Main Street: Greeneville, and that is the organization, not the place. A nonprofit 501(c)(3) formed in 1983 as one of Tennessee’s five original Main Street communities and the first to be chartered in the state. It is an accredited national program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center and a state program within the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Develop-

ment. Main Street’s Four-Point Approach supports sustainable, community-driven revitalization efforts through Design, Economic Vitality, Organization and Promotion. The Main Street District is an 18-block area in historic downtown Greeneville that includes both commercial and residential properties. Knowledge about the organization and its mission to establish partnerships between public and private sectors dedicated to the revitalization of the Main Street District, the preservation of historic structures and promotion of heritage tourism speaks to the successes it has had over time.

MILESTONES AND ANNIVERSARIES

2023 was a year of milestones in the life of Main Street: Greeneville. Celebrating 40 years of service to the community. The third facade improvement grant known as DIG (Downtown Improvement Grant) awarded to Main Street: Greeneville through the state helped to rehab five more commercial prop-

erties, bringing the total number of projects over a multiyear period to 11 with grant funding of $350,000.

Main Street Greeneville Tours for 20 years has conducted “Two Tours You Can’t Miss.” A 90-minute downtown walking tour held Monday through Saturday from April through October gives visitors a glimpse of life in Greeneville from the

time of President Andrew Johnson to today. Tours of the DicksonWilliams Mansion are held daily from March through December, where visitors can step across the threshold and into what life was like for a family that was truly as divided as the country. Both tours can be “tailor” made for groups, including school groups. For 10 years, Lyrics

countries gather to hear and enjoy a variety of musical genres at the free concerts.

COMMUNITY DRIVEN

The part Main Street: Greeneville has played within the district through the years that continues today is community driven. They either saw a need or had been asked to assist with projects.

A little history: The Hotel Brumley almost became a parking lot but was given to Main Street awaiting a developer. The Capitol Theatre was saved from the wrecking ball when it was purchased by Main Street and given to the Little Theater. Campaigning hard to keep Greenville High School downtown was seen as necessary to the life of the downtown community. Use your imagination as to what downtown would look like today if any of these things had happened. The area on South Main known as Eagle’s Rest had been held by Main Street for 20-plus years awaiting the completion of the Crow Foot Alley Parking Lot, finally allowing it to be conveyed to the Town of Greeneville. Beautification projects are ongoing over many years in the form of banners, benches, flowers and flying American flags. All projects supported by and promoted by the community through donations or volunteer involvement.

REINVESTMENT

ON THE RISE

Within the 18 blocks of the Main Street District during 2023, reinvestment statistics tracked reveal a gain of nine new jobs,

four new businesses, 63 private investment building rehabilitation projects valued at $3,095,025, 11 public improvement projects valued at $5,256,021 for a total investment of $8,351,046 up from $6,720,870 in 2022.

Main Street: Greeneville employs one staff person and operates with an all-volunteer board, committee members and project/event workers who provided 9,516 hours. The downtown festival and special event attendance happening within the district brought in 39,986 people in addition to the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site annual visitation of approximately 55,000.

MOVING FORWARD

The next year brings with it great opportunity and focus as Main Street works with the Town of Greeneville, utilities, and civic groups to develop Eagles Rest into a multi-functional pedestrian space that will connect South Main Street to the alley parking and West Depot Street.

The completion of the Depot Street project has renewed interest in downtown and reinvestment in our historic structures. Applying and competing for grants that continue to support the revitalization effort will remain front and center to provide financial assistance in that effort.

Promoting the Greeneville and Greene County tourism initiative through events such as the annual Scarecrow Contest, Halloween Happenings, Christmas in Downtown – A Holiday Celebration and Lyrics on the Lawn brings visitors into the community to partici-

pate in that small

2023 A YEAR OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

BY KEVIN MORRISON

We have arrived at the end of the first quarter of 2024 which signals it is time to “Benchmark” 2023 and encapsulate all that Greene County has accomplished in a very busy and productive 2023, and then look with enthusiastic vision at what the future opportunities are for us in 2024.

Last year we labeled 2022 the “Year of the Grant” and we placed community and economic development as our number two priority. This year, however, is the year for “Economic and Community Development.”

We have seen a great transformation in new business, industry, restaurants, and retail coming to our county. Many of us have many new neighbors moving here from all parts of the U.S. I have had conversations with many of these new neighbors and they have discovered and shared with me what we already knew, that Greene County is a wonderful place to live. We enjoy a very low cost of living, a good quality of life, family friendly and traditional values, plentiful employment opportunities, expanding educational and

occupational training and qualification opportunities, great outdoor activities and very low unemployment. These qualities and many more make us the enviable place to live, work and play. 2023 also saw a continued push for grant applications to assist us in improving facilities and services to our citizens.

With the grant funding from Greene County, the Greeneville Energy Authority is ready to begin expansion of its broadband network into the western areas of the county, and we continue to look for other grant opportunities to get those broadband services into the other parts of the county.

Additionally, the joint Industrial Development Board between Greene County, Greeneville and

Tusculum received the property at Greene Valley. We are currently moving into phase two of that process which calls for grant applica tions to develop water and sewer infrastructure for further development there. The State of Tennessee is in the process of demolishing the old buildings at Greene Valley in preparation for the construction of a Northeast Tennessee regional Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities headquarters and other services for the state and

DIDD, and a $30 million investment in a TCAT (Tennessee College of Applied Technology) facility. The new TCAT should break ground before the end of the year or early in 2025.

Greene County was the recipient of a $750,000 grant from TVA and a $2.1 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for site preparation at the Snapps Ferry Road Industrial Development Site. This site was awarded the most money for develop-

ment, more than any site across Tennessee. This site, when completed, will be able to support a 350,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, bringing more jobs and revenue into our community which will assist in keeping our taxes low.

Greene County, working in conjunction with the Greene County Partnership and the Town of Mosheim, secured and supported a business developer with an infrastructure TIF (tax increment financing) to develop approximately 30 acres at Exit 23 for a much needed and anticipated hotel and retail addition.

We continue to make tremendous progress toward converting the

SUN FILE PHOTO

The 336 acres of undeveloped land that is a part of the former Greene Valley Developmental Center property south of Edens Road is in the initial stages of planned development.

KEVIN MORRISON

One year ago, in the Town of Greeneville, the surge of excitement from new developments was undeniable — population growth, ongoing commercial and residential projects, and a concentrated effort on downtown revitalization were the topics of conversation. Those trends continue now, solidifying Greeneville’s status as an attractive destination for new residents, while development projects gain clarity, and revitalization efforts shift toward the private sector.

Bicentennial Park in late April. This served as a fitting location to honor our founding fathers, delve into our history, and enjoy children’s activities, as well as birthday cake and ice cream. Additionally, 2023 marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Main Street: Greeneville, the first Main Street program in Tennessee, and the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Greene County Partnership.

In this piece, we will explore how these ongoing trends and other noteworthy occurrences are currently shaping the landscape of our town. However, first let’s recap the key events of the past year.

In 2023, Greeneville celebrated its 240th Anniversary, an occasion commemorated at

A significant milestone in 2023 was the reopening of Depot Street following a two-year construction period. This revitalization project focused on imperative infrastructure enhancements, ADA-accessible sidewalks, and aesthetic improvements.

The completion of this endeavor was celebrated with an ‘80s-themed street party in August, based on the iconic film “Back to the Future.” Notably, the Greeneville

Rotary Club installed a clock on West Depot Street, symbolizing 100 years of their chapter from 1920 to 2020. December witnessed the official reopening of East Depot Street and the Main Street intersection, marking the successful completion of the Depot Street project.

As we venture into 2024, several key themes remain. Greeneville continues to experience significant growth in both commercial and residential domains, with the current surge in population being the most substantial in many years.

To address the urgency of various issues, the Town of Greeneville hosted a “Greeneville Growth

Visioning Session” in November 2023. This session resulted in the identification of five focal areas: Next Generation/Workforce Development, Livabil-

ity/Housing, Public and Alternative Transportation, Entrepreneurship, and Comprehensive Plan Implementation. These areas are currently under discussion by town leadership, staff, and community members, with the aim of facilitating communi-

SUN FILE PHOTO Crowds bustled up and down West Depot Street in August 2023 during the Back to Depot event.

BY CHRISTINA POTTS

BY STEVE STARNES

The 2022-2023 school year was a highly successful year for Greeneville City Schools. The Tennessee Department of Education recognized GCS for Level

5 Growth in Literacy, Numeracy, Literacy and Numeracy Combined, Science, Social Studies, and Composite. GCS was one of eight districts, out of a total of 146 districts statewide, to attain Level

as a US News and World Report Best High School.

GHS was also ranked as the 11th rated traditional public high school in Tennessee (22nd if including magnet and charter schools). This placed GHS in the Top 10% of high schools in the nation.

5 Growth in all measured areas. The following schools attained Level

5 Composite Growth: EastView Elementary School, Greeneville Middle School, and Greeneville High School. Level

5 Growth represents considerable evidence that students made more growth than expected. Greeneville High School was recognized

t 2023 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4F

sion

soon move into the

renovated old

Church on Takoma Avenue, which will begin the eventual migration of all the offices and departments from the Annex.

The very valuable “Strong Futures” program that has been housed on the fourth floor of the hospital announced very recently they have secured another location and may be exiting the building early, which will allow us to complete renovation unimpeded.

Greene County has initiated, is working to complete, or has completed, several other projects to better serve our citizens, many of which were paid for entirely with grant funding.

Additionally, the ACT Composite score for GHS ranked Greeneville City Schools 11th in the state among all districts that have a high school. When comparing systems which tested 100% of students on the ACT, GCS ranked seventh. GCS also ranked 10th in the percentage of students scoring a composite score of 21 or higher.

EastView Elementary School was a “Triple Crown” winner in 202223, receiving a Letter Grade of A on the State Letter Grading Scale,

We close the TWRA grant at the range and open the sporting clay course, the long bore range, and the 3D archery range at the end of March. We expanded the South Greene Convenience Center in 2023 and acquired through a no-cost reverter clause in the deed the old Humane Society building and added to the capability of Animal Control to take better care of more animals. We have committed nearly $750,000 in Opioid Abatement Council Grant Funds specifically to local programs, (Greene County Drug Court, Greene County Anti-Drug Coalition, Frontier Health, Sheriff’s Department, LEADS program, and Ballad Health Strong Futures), that serve local people to assist with addiction, and we applied for and were awarded grant funds that provided all of our local VFDs turnout gear and upgraded radios and communications systems. We have added dispatchers to 911 to ensure better coverage and response in emergencies, and we have renovated HVAC systems, doors, floors, plumbing, and fire alarm systems to keep our jail certified. Greene County’s departments and our employees have risen to the challenge of providing governmental services to the many new residents

earning Level 5 Growth, and achieving Reward School status as recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education.

The Niche organization consistently ranks the Greeneville City School District among the top school districts in Tennessee for best overall academic programs, best athletic programs, best teachers, and best places to teach. Niche also consistently ranks GCS among the top 10% of all school districts in the nation.

we have welcomed to the area, and our department heads and elected officials have brilliantly managed their budgets in the face of unprecedented inflationary pressures, staffing shortages, and new residents needing services.

Greene County’s population growth has outpaced all our surrounding neighbors, with Greene County’s population at just over 72,000. 2023 was a solid Greene County growth year.

Some good things come with growth, but some unpleasant things also come with the unprecedented growth we have experienced.

2023 was the year of reappraisal which saw property values increase on average nearly 60%. Some more and some less. This increase in property values is largely due to people moving here and buying or building at unheard of levels.

Unfortunately, a tax increase was necessary, the first such increase since July of 2018. All of this increase went toward increased costs of goods

As GCS strives for excellence in all endeavors, 2022-23 was also an exceptional year for student accomplishment in athletics and extracurricular activities, having won state championships and achieving numerous top10 finishes in the state in multiple sports and activities.

These are only a few highlights of the many ways that Greeneville City Schools educators work to provide a worldclass educational experience for all students.

and services like jail food, electricity, water, gas, parts, vehicles, insurance, contracts, equipment, tools, licenses, fees, and many more and also to increase pay to retain and attract qualified and certified employees.

Despite the distaste and annoyance of any tax increase at any time, Greene County has the lowest property tax rate of any northeast Tennessee county except Sevier, which is powered by tourism and sales taxes.

We continue to see property values increase as more and more people move here to take advantage of our good and low cost of living.

Going forward, Greene County will continue to work closely and in cooperation with all our municipalities and the Greene County Partnership to recruit business, industry, restaurants, and retail.

All these commercial initiatives are assessed on 40% property valuation verses 25% assessment valuation for residential property, meaning that the more successful we

I am extremely proud of our students and educators for their dedication, hard work, and accomplishments during the 2022-23 school year. I am also very honored and humbled to serve as director of such an outstanding school system that values excellence and equity for ALL students.

are at recruiting business and industry, the lower or less taxes we pay for residential and agriculture property. Therefore, we will be aggressively looking for all opportunities to create jobs and grow our revenue base in 2024.

I closed out 2023 hopeful that 2024 is another great year of opportunity for Greene County. Opportunity for good, healthy financial suc-

We deeply appreciate the trust and the outstanding support the Greeneville community has given our school system. These accomplishments would not be possible without your support. Steve Starnes is director of schools for Greeneville City Schools.

cess across the county in all sectors. Opportunity for good growth, grants, jobs, industry, restaurants, retail, infrastructure, roads, facilities and activities.

We have challenges, but we live in a great, extraordinary place, and many are looking, searching, and prepared to seize those opportunities to make it even better.

Kevin Morrison is the mayor of Greene County.

SUN FILE PHOTO EastView Elementary School was a “Triple Crown” winner in 2022-23, receiving a Letter Grade of A on the State Letter Grading Scale, earning Level 5 Growth, and achieving Reward School status as recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education.

GREENE COUNTY SCHOOLS CULTIVATE STRONG FUTURES

MYERS

Guide, Cultivate, Succeed - that is the motto of the Greene County School System. Greene County Schools is celebrating success throughout the system as schools have been recognized for their accomplishments with TVAAS growth, school letter grades, and Reward School status.

Six schools were recognized for success with TVAAS growth of 5 on state testing for the spring of 2023 – Chuckey-Doak Middle School, North Greene Middle School, North Greene High School, South Greene Middle School, South Greene High School, and West Greene Middle School.

As the state issued letter grades for the first time in several years, four schools earned an A on the A-F scale – Chuckey-Doak High School, South Greene High School, South Greene Middle School, and West Greene Middle School. Finally, six schools were recognized with Reward Schools status based on federal accountability requirements – Baileyton, Chuckey-Doak Middle School, Chuckey-Doak High School, North Greene High School, North Greene Middle School, and West Greene

Middle School. Success is something that Greene County Schools are enjoying as we work to help students grow and achieve. It is only with the hard work and dedication of faculty, staff, administration, Board of Education, and students of Greene County that achievements like these are happening and students are closing gaps and cultivating strong futures for themselves.

Guiding students into the future with a focus on strong academic standards, social and emotional wellness, and career awareness and preparation is foundational to the efforts of the Greene County School System. Providing students with strong core instruction as well as additional opportunities for academic support that include interventions during school with response to intervention and summer learning camps are a couple of the methods of supporting student academics.

State and federal funding has been utilized to add additional tutors at schools to provide extra tutoring hours for students to help address lingering learning loss from the pandemic.

Students in middle and high school have opportunities to explore

a variety of college and career possibilities through interest surveys, CTE courses, guest speakers, and college and career exploration.

Greene County Schools also has the Innovative Schools Grant which has added resources to our high schools and middle schools to support career and technical education programming for all students, with a career counselor in each quad. Every school in Greene County is in at least their second year of being trained in trauma informed practices to effectively support the social and emotional wellness of the students and staff of Greene County. These are just a few of the ways that Greene County is working to GUIDE students forward.

Greene County also works to GUIDE the teaching staff by providing support to new teachers through a mentoring program during their first year in Greene County, as well as opportunities for professional learning that responds to the needs of new teachers based on surveys of the new teacher recruits throughout the year. Both virtual and in-person training, as well as support from district new teacher training support staff are in place to ensure new teachers are set up for success during their first year as Greene County employees.

Strong partnerships continue to be cultivated in order to help meet the

needs of the students in Greene County. Some key partnerships in Greene County include:

Save the Children School Age Programming – Offering before, during, and/or after school programming at all seven elementary schools; Niswonger Foundation; CER Consortium –Collaboration with 27 districts throughout the region to improve instruction, assessment, and student academic

performance; leadership academy for faculty who aspire to move into school leadership positions; and principal study council to provide professional learning and collaboration opportunities with leaders throughout the region;

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

L.D. – Grant focused on science, technology, engineering, and math for middle and high schools, focused on educator professional learning, student out-of-

school time enrichment activities, and advanced coursework;

Project On Track – Grant focused on low-ratio, high-impact tutoring for reading and math in the elementary and middle schools; Additional guidance counselors for college and career planning for juniors and seniors; and Greene LEAF Foundation – Education foundation working alongside the system to

LEANN MYERS

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN Jordyn Rodrigues and Emersyn Rodrigues enjoy activities at the Nolachuckey Elementary School Save The Children Christmas party.

great community to be recognized by Site Selection Magazine as one of three top micropolitans in Tennessee and tied for 40th in the U.S. for 2023.

fined as cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover one county. Site Selection Magazine is a 70-year-old based magazine that has awarded communities since 1988, based on new and expanded corporate facilities as tracked by the proprietary Conway Projects Database. These designations are regarded by corporate real estate and site selectors as “THE industry scoreboard.” The criteria utilized for new facility and expansions is at least one of

investment of at least $1 million; At least 20 new jobs; and At least 20,000 square feet of new floor area. This recognition validates the commitment of our industries to remain in our community, but also contribute to the ability of our local government to maintain lower tax rates for our residents.

Additionally, the State of Tennessee as well as TVA believe in our future with their continued investment with the awarding of $2.9 million in grants to assist with site development for Snapps Ferry and Greene Valley, and an additional $4 million has been awarded for

preparation. Greene County has a very solid and diversified economy. As we continue to invest in our infrastructure and recruit new

industry and business, we are being very strategic to recruit the right business to complement our existing base.

But not all the economic good news is related to just manufacturing. Tourism is also a large portion of our local economy. Greene County currently ranks No. 22 out of the 95 counties in tourism dollars. This equates to $102.93 million and is a year-overyear increase of 8.43% in direct visitor spending.

The 436,109 day visitors to Greene County equated to a 6% increase, and our 241,536 over-

night visitors equated to a 12% increase. Why is this so important?

Tourism dollars save each household in Greene County $337 in taxes. We are very excited about the work to bring new and diverse events to increase our tourism economy.

Accompanying this article is an infographic that illustrates the momentum that we have in Greene County despite the challenges with high interest rates and extreme inflation.

Jeff Taylor is president and chief executive officer of the Greene County Partnership.

JEFF TAYLOR SUN FILE PHOTO

From left, Greeneville Mayor Cal Doty, Tusculum Mayor Alan Corley, Greene County Partnership President

ANTI-DRUG COALITION EMPHASIZES PRIMARY PREVENTION EFFORTS

BY DAVID VARNEY

The Greene County Anti-Drug Coalition is the not-for-profit 501(c) (3) eliminating substance misuse in our community. Our primary prevention efforts empower youth and adults to choose a drugfree lifestyle through community based educational initiatives and increased awareness of all issues surrounding substance abuse/misuse in Greene County. We strive toward a healthier, safer, and more productive workforce community.

Why invest in prevention? A conservative cost-benefit analysis revealed for every $1 invested in primary prevention in Tennessee, there is a $4.60 cost savings. When taken to the county level where coalitions operate, the cost savings increases significantly: the average savings in taxpayer burden spending in local communities in Tennessee where it has been measured is $13.33 (with a range of $6.92 to $17.73).

The Greene County Anti-Drug Coalition’s prevention efforts give you the biggest and best return on your trust and financial investment.

Additionally, by investing in community coalitions prevention

programs, decreases are often realized among teen pregnancies, truancies, domestic violence, crime, incarceration, and child abuse. Increases are seen in academic success, community connectivity, healthy families, and economic growth. Rigorous evaluations have found prevention programs are good long term economic investments, returning more to society than they cost.

Cost effectiveness and stopping the intergenerational cycle of addiction are just two critical effects of focused prevention efforts. Greene County Anti-Drug Coalition is a sound investment. The return on investment comes through the health care and criminal justice systems, as well as through employee productivity.

Our community, our citizens and your constituents are in crisis. Greene County is experiencing epidemic

DAVID VARNEY

DIGITAL LANDSCAPE IS RAPIDLY EVOLVING

BY BEVERLY MILLER

Today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape involves the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) trends and social media dynamics and stands as a focal point of innovation and cultural influence. Artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize various industries, reshaping how businesses operate, how individuals interact with technology, and how societies function. Concurrently, social media platforms remain at the forefront of global communication, driving trends, shaping opinions, and fostering opportunities in unprecedented ways. As AI advances, it increasingly permeates

the realm of social media, shaping content creation, user experiences, and digital marketing strategies.

Understanding current AI and social media trends is crucial when navigating the complexities of modern digital engagement and anticipating future developments that will share our online interactions and societal discourse.

When ChatGPT became broadly available, it launched a transformation of the landscape of work across various domains. As an AI language model, ChatGPT has quickly revolutionized communication, collaboration, and problem solving,

thereby redefining the nature of the humancomputer relationship. It has rapidly become a valuable tool for the generation of engaging and personalized content, freeing up human resources for more strategic tasks. A new era of productivity, creativity, and collaboration is sure to reshape the way we work and interact with technology.

As a technologist for nearly 40 years, I have never seen anything like this current environment. Because of the explosion of new tools and trends, it is nearly impossible to stay abreast of all the changes.

Augmented reality (AR) is changing storytelling, gaming, and product interactions. By overlaying digital elements into real-world surroundings, AR will

levels of addiction, overdoses, death, and behavioral health issues secondary to Substance Use Disorder, or SUD. All 71,405 residents of Greene County deserve the positive impact our coalition is delivering.

Our efforts focus on all members of the community, including those at greatest risk of SUD, to develop skills and competencies to take greater control of their own lives and become more responsible and productive citizens. We need your continued support and funding to reduce substance

misuse among youth and adults by addressing factors in our community that increase these risky behaviors. We promote factors that minimize the appeal of substance use, including education services to school-based youth and community youthfocused programs that discourage or prevent

misuse. We are very proud of our continuing partnership with city and county School Resource Officers in their work teaching the Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence program, known as L.E.A.D., to our fifthand seventh-grade students. The Drug

Abuse Resistance Education program, known as D.A.R.E, offered in Mosheim, is an education program that we are anxious to support as they work to prevent substance misuse and violent behavior. We are the leading organization in Greene County for education related to harm reduc-

tion. By partnering with the regional overdose prevention specialist for Greene County, training and distribution of the lifesaving medications Naloxone and Kloxxado that reverse opioid overdoses are made available free of charge t

BEVERLY MILLER

at St. James, I know the music end, but I reached out to my friend, Robert Luna, to take me into the Greeneville art world. I would have drowned quickly in that ocean without him. Having just heard from Partnership Director Jeff Taylor at the March 8 Legislative Luncheon that Greeneville, McMinnville and Cookeville are the top three micropolitan cities in Tennessee for business site selection, it hit me hard that as a city, we need to welcome all the new families with the incred-

ible plethora of art that Greeneville hosts. This will make us a more desirable location when workers evaluate a life-changing move. We already have an excellent public school system and amazing internet and location sites, but it’s really important that we add an “A” back into STEM to make it STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ART and Math).

The communication hub for the arts is the Greeneville Supports the Arts (GSA) Facebook page created by local photographer and web designer, Robert Luna, and managed by local watercolor artist, Natalie Richardson. GSA’s mission is to strengthen the Greeneville art community by providing an online platform where local artists of all types (visual arts, literature, theatre, fine crafts, dance, etc) can motivate, support and inspire each other. This includes posting all local art events so people can find everything in one place. The list of art in Greeneville boggles the mind!

The Greeneville Arts Council (GAC) formed in 1968 is the oldest promotion entity, with an emphasis on visual arts (painting, drawing). GAC is responsible for the monthly Mason House Gallery exhibit by a local artist at the General Morgan and provides college scholar-

ships for art majors. They also help K-12 with art supplies and field trips.

Greene County Makers (GCM) is the physical hub for artists of every type, thanks to visionary Peter Higgins who bought the 50,000-square-foot building at 310 S. Cutler St. in December 2022. Using only 4,000 square feet at this time, think of GCM as an artist incubator, having offered 200 instructional classes in the last year. Stephnaie

DeMarchi, owner of The Pink Caldron (soaps, dress/costume designer) handles the 501(c)(3) operation. “Creating and making in itself is an art form,” Stephnaie said.

There you will find:

• Painting – Tania Dirks (watercolor, oils, drawing) – She hosts classes at GCM monthly and for community loca-

PHYLLIS SHELTON

The Appalachian Auditorium at St. James is shown in this file photo. The venue, located at 3220 St. James Road,

t

tions like The Funny Farm.

• Pottery - Von Kay Kaltenmark vendor / Gabriel Wood instructor.

• Basketmaking – Sheila Bible.

• Fabric and fiber art (sewing, knitting, quilting).

• Creative writing.

• Children’s crafts (sock monkey, egg holder, pie plate decorating).

• Industrial arts – metal fabrication, kiln, hand tools, woodworking with a plan to develop 10,000 square feet for these.

• Photography – plan to designate 1,000 square feet for any photographer to use.

• Ham radio broadcast room.

• Technology – Tyler Folgers - 3D printing, robotics, “blender” programming which produces state-of-the-art animation up to movie level, delivery drones, “Artificer Alley” (tabletop gaming - think dungeons and dragons). Art forms are also exploding throughout the Greeneville community!

• The Firehouse Glass Studio – Mark Russell – stateof-the-art hot glass studio

• Ginko Gallery – George Wurtzel – woodworking that defies the imagination – he made a grand piano for Stevie Nicks!

• Painted Turtle Craft Company at 1211 Snapps Ferry Road offers DIY workshops with hands-on instructors for all ages.

• Greeneville Theatre Guild – Paige Mengel – currently auditioning for “The Sound of Music”

• Two Roots Alpaca and Fiber Mill – the luxurious fiber is made into lovely, all natural products.

• Voodoo Rocket – Kevin Bradley –continues the ancient art of letterpress printing

• Central Ballet – Lori Ann Sparksdance troup excels in major productions like “Rapunzel”; Winter and Company Dance Studio – both work with kids of all ages. Line dancing – individuals and couples – Ronnie Russell at the Moose Club Wed nights (423-329-9382). The Roby Adult Center also offers line dancing along with extensive additional activities, including art classes.

• Artful exercise: Loni Dinwiddie, an India-certified Yoga teacher offers yoga live at the Capitol and online as well as self-care and stress management.

• Tusculum Center of the Arts – Rouja Green/Steve Shults – theatre, music,

art. Multiple venues are also available that offer a variety of entertainment and music to the local community.

• The Appalachian Auditorium at St. James, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, fulfills its mission to provide quality family entertainment at a reasonable price once a month September-May at 3220 St. James Road. Sponsors make it possible to offer tickets for $15 advance ($20 door). Shows start at 7 p.m. with a full meal offered at 5 p.m. for only $12 from the Nolachuckey Ruritan Club or Cotton’s Country Store. We have many raving fans for our bluegrass, vintage country, gospel groups and an occasional magician! Seat capacity: 299

• Capitol Theatre, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a vital part of downtown again, thanks to local businessman Tracy Solomon who purchased it in 2014. Director

GREENEVILLE THEATRE GUILD

From left, Brian Ricker, Chris Greene and Parker Bunch are shown in this scene from the Greeneville Theatre Guild’s production of “My Man Godfrey.”

SUN FILE PHOTO

From left, Seth and Jordan Dugger celebrated the release of their fifth studio album before a hometown crowd at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

ROBERT LUNA

t COALITION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11F

to our jail, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Greeneville Police Department, Greene County-Greeneville EMS, schools, and community employers on a regular basis.

The Greene County Anti-Drug Coalition sets forth a series of three-year goals:

Build and strengthen organizational infrastructure, processes, relationships, and systems needed to ensure the long-term stability and growth of GCADC.

Capture and consistently communicate GCADC’s expertise in substance use prevention to key stakeholders in support of GCADC’s mission of advocating for effective policies.

Serve as the trusted resource to build, connect, support, and grow substance use prevention across Greene County.

Increase the total number of GCADC funders and total amount of GCADC funding that will further ensure our long-term viability and ability to build out the infrastructure needed to fur-

ther GCADC’s mission.

Continued support for children, youth, young adults, families, parents, and other adults with activities aimed at improving the implementation and delivery of effective substance misuse prevention efforts.

Increased competency levels of the prevention workforce and the number of people trained in substance misuse prevention science practices. Expanding engagements that empower positive community and family change.

Increased organizational capacity through hiring, engaging volunteers, and providing leadership to a Youth Anti-Drug Coalition. Engaging youth where they are is imperative to positive and impactful efforts in reducing substance use. Youth are most affected by pro-social education to enhance positive adult and peer interaction.

David Varney is executive director of the Greene County Anti-Drug Coalition.

“Jewel

GREENE COUNTY IS A ‘PLAYGROUND FOR HISTORY BUFFS’

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Mountains” we have so much history that it has been called a playground for history buffs. From the pre-colonial times of the Native Americans, when Buffalo still roamed the hills and meadows, to the Overmountain Men who turned the tide of the American Revolution, to modern day, we love to share our story.

April 2023 recorded a significant event in the life of our county. It marked 240 years since its founding in 1783. We have a national historic site, a national cemetery, several museums, a state park, we are home to a U.S. President and the King of the Wild Frontier,

and may I say, Scott Niswonger. Let us not forget one of the most popular Tennesseans John Sevier, nor future president Andrew Jackson who practiced law here.

Our T. Elmer Cox Genealogical & Historical Library opens the doors to research of those families that passed through the original gateway to the west. It is among the best libraries anywhere.

Local history is a big draw in what we call “silent tourism,” those who come here to trace their families, stay a night or two, or a week. The Cox Library is a leader in drawing those “silent tourists” to the area. It is the place to start that family research project.

Daniel Kennedy and Weightstill Avery pushed

through legislation in North Carolina carving Greene County out of Washington County. Greene County was named in honor of Washington’s second in command and most trusted general, Nathanael Greene. At the time Greene County reached all the way to the Mississippi River.

On the banks of the Nolichucky River in August 1786 Kings

Mountain veteran John Crockett saw his sixth child born, a son who would serve in the United States Congress. That son, David Crockett, would gain international fame as a defender of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. John Sevier served as the governor of the State of Franklin 1784-88. The replica Capitol of the

State of Franklin cabin stands across the street from town hall. Sevier never lost an election or a battle. He was elected the first governor of the State of Tennessee.

Religious history was cemented here early thanks to men such as Samuel Doak, Charles Coffin, and Hezekiah Balch. These men also brought the all-important education element across the mountains, founding the first schools and libraries. The landscape of the county is dotted with the reminders that every community had its own school, and those small churches are active reminders of our heritage. Washington College and Tusculum University are the results of their labors. Andrew Johnson arrived in 1826. Working

as a tailor, he entered politics, rising to the highest office in the land following the death of Abraham Lincoln. Johnson leaves a large legacy; it is a rags to riches story to be admired today. His tailor shop, early home, homestead, and grave are must sees in Greeneville. The coming of the railroad in 1858 brought change to Greeneville. The Civil War exposed its ugly head in the region for four long years. It too, rode the rails, this being a railroad town. Its remnants are still visible today in scarred homes and buildings that survive. The November 1861 burning of railroad bridges and the hangings above the Depot are still talked about. The Dickson-Williams

TIM MASSEY

Mansion is a reminder of that period when the fortunes of war changed lives. General John Hunt Morgan spent his last night here before being killed in the Williams Garden. The controversy surrounding Morgan’s death is still being discussed and written about today, almost 160 years later.

Lt. General James Longstreet wintered here in 1864. General Burnside spent a night at the home of Dr. Price following the Battle of Blue Springs. Blue Springs was the largest Civil War battle

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help secure supplementary funding for projects and programs that support students and teachers.

The most important partnerships that we cultivate are the relationships with parents, as we work with them daily to help their child grow into the citizens who will make decisions for our county in the future. Greene County Schools will continue to CULTIVATE these and other partnerships in order to support students and the faculty and staff as we move forward in the mission to prepare students for their future.

Preparing for success begins early in Greene County and encompasses stakeholders outside the walls of the

school buildings. Programs like the Save the Children Early Steps for School Success Program serves families with expectant mothers and children 0-5 to provide resources, training, and support to help students enter school kindergarten ready. The Early Steps Coordinators and the Kindergarten Readiness Ambassador visit with families in their home and in centralized locations to meet parents where they are in supporting their children.

The Greene Reads Community Collaborative has goals created by the group to provide activities to support the school system and community awareness of literacy activities. Several community organizations and com-

munity members have joined the collaborative and are working alongside to promote literacy through activities including hosting literacy events, adding books to the local StoryWalk in Mosheim, and donating/distributing books for the various Book Boxes located at local businesses.

The Greene County Family Resource Center continues to partner with Greene County Schools and other community organizations to assess and meet the needs of students and families with the goal of helping to eliminate barriers to student success by providing direct services of basic needs and assisting with referrals to local agencies. In order to SUCCEED

it truly does take a village and Greene County Schools is working to create a village of dedicated stakeholders to help all of our students succeed. In order to GUIDE students into the future, CULTIVATE them as our most valuable resource, and for them to truly SUCCEED, we must have the dedication and drive of our faculty, staff, and administrators. Greene County Schools is blessed with the best when it comes to this! None of our programs or plans could come to fruition without them, and none of our successes can be attributed to anything less than this amazing workforce!

LeAnn Myers is data and assessment supervisor for Greene County Schools.

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continue to be integrated into social media platforms and will assist in the overall transformation.

Virtual reality (VR) communities are being constructed and provide an avenue by which users can interact with friends, attend events, and explore virtual environments together. This will likely result in new methods of socializing and networking.

End users may likely find themselves gravitating towards smaller, niche-focused social platforms and communities tailored to specific interests, hobbies, or demographics. These niche and micro-communities may foster deeper connections and more meaningful

interactions among users with shared interests.

Short-form video content is also a trend that has been popularized by platforms such as TikTok. Social media tools may invest more in short-form video creation tools and algorithms to customize and target end users based on interest.

The influencer marketing evolution is likely to continue and grow as audiences seek more authenticity and transparency from influencers. Microinfluencers and nano-influencers with smaller but highly engaged followings may become more influential in marketing campaigns and strategies. Social media platforms will likely

expand e-commerce capabilities, allowing users to discover, shop, and purchase products and solutions directly within apps. Live shopping events, social commerce features, and integrated payment systems could become even more prevalent.

Many of the trends mentioned must be monitored closely and managed tightly to protect data privacy and to ensure cyber security. Each of the tools has potential for great contributions but also for significant harm if used improperly.

Society and social media platforms will continue to be shaped by technological innovations, user behaviors, regulatory changes, and

societal norms. It will be essential for businesses, marketers, and end-users to stay abreast of the ever-changing landscape.

It is an exciting time to be alive!

Artificial intelligence tools and social media platforms hold the potential to improve our lives and make many tasks easier and more streamlined. Never has it been more important to be aware of both the benefits as well as the risks. Educated, informed consumers will be best prepared to realize successful outcomes if they remain committed to cautious and deliberate actions.

Beverly Miller is chief technology officer for Greeneville City Schools.

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East

Following the Civil War, the new Market Street slowly became Depot Street. Hotels popped up with restaurants to accommodate the visitors coming to town by rail. Blacksmith shops added stables with horse and buggy rental. Merchants could get goods in a matter of weeks instead of months. Rail patrons could now travel at the unheard-of speed of 16-18 miles in an hour. The telegraph, too, followed the rails, and we could now communicate with distant towns in seconds instead of days. Tobacco

Honor recipient Elbert Kinser and the Union Convention, the attempt of East Tennessee Unionists to secede from Confederate Tennessee.

The tobacco industry made Greene County the tobacco mecca of the world from the 1890s into the early 1980s. It was once the largest dairy county in the state, as well. Manufacturing industry such as Pet Milk and Magnavox found the rural landscape to its liking for reliable labor.

Tim Massey serves as Greene County historian. t

warehouses were built to support the growth and manufacture of tobacco products. The lawn of the courthouse has a monument placed by the DAR in 1917 honoring John Sevier. The Union Soldiers, Grand Army of the Republic, placed the union soldier monument in 1919. In 1931 the marker dedicated to General Morgan was placed. Another honors the founding of Greene County and early community leaders. Also at the courthouse are Tennessee Historic Commission markers honoring Medal of

Time changes things and our community has changed with it, yet our history is uniquely ours and we openly share

our rich heritage as we reap the rewards of preservation. The Greene County Heritage Trust, MainStreet Greeneville, local government and others have led in bringing about change while preserving the past. The Heritage Trust celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023.

The General Morgan Inn is at the center of local hospitality. Many groups have found this hub of activity to be a most inviting location to host their activities. Several groups have found Upper East Tennessee to be most hospitable. The Tennessee Society

Children of the American Revolution, the Tennessee Historical Commission, and The Sons of the American Revolution have held events here.

The Greeneville-Greene County History Museum is a must see, as is City Garage Car Museum. The Andrew Johnson sites, as well as the museums at Tusculum University, are must visits. The Davy Crockett Birthplace offers inviting trails bathed in sunshine and abounding in nature. They have a museum and living history interpreters on site. MainStreet Greeneville offers a Downtown Walking

Tour and a guided tour of the Dickson-Williams Mansion. We have great theatre and music venues, along with other special annual events such as the Iris Festival in May. Depot Street has returned to life after a much-needed makeover, a place where restaurants and shops will provide an even greater attraction to come stay in Greeneville, trail the past, or just visit and relax, or to hold that all important function here. Whether you live here or across the country, plan to come share in our story.