Community Connection Visit

Visitors from Lewis County, Tennessee, enjoyed a bus tour of beautiful Three-Star certified Macon County with an all-star cast of local community leaders Tuesday, June 12.

The event, dubbed a “Community Connection Visit”, was an opportunity for Lewis County Three-Star planning team members to see some of the results of Macon County's Three-Star planning efforts-and a chance for Macon County to ‘show off' just a little.

The counties hope to share ideas and learn from each other.

A reception brunch at the Sally Wells Building launched the big event.

After a little history of the Macon County Fair, and a great meal, the group boarded a van provided by UCHRA, and driven by Wayne Flynn, to begin the tour of Macon County.

Chamber of Commerce President Janice Gammons was the first to speak to the group, as the bus rolled down the By-Pass.

Gammons spoke of community growth including plans for a new Chamber office, new airport runway, and hopes for manufacturing expansion.

County Mayor Shelvy Linville led the tour of Key Park and the Public Square.

Macon County General Hospital Administrator Dennis Wolford told the visitors about the state of the art equipment and quality services at MCGH.

The group toured North Central Telephone Cooperative, where President and CEO Tom Rowland shared news of NCTC progress and the recent expansion of fiber optic cable to homes across the county.

Sheriff Mark Gammons led a tour of the Macon County Justice Center, including the jail and courtrooms, while sharing information about the many varied programs provided.  

Macon County Arts Council President Nancy Doss shared her enthusiasm about the achievements and growth of the new group to 110 members since January.

The next stop on the tour was Nestle Waters, where Debbie Richardson-Harper Solid Waste Management Director provided a presentation emphasizing successful reduction in Macon County's landfill deposits achieved by recycling more than 11,780 tons of waste during 2006.

Jeff Poppen, Macon County's own ‘Barefoot Farmer', made a presentation on the challenges and successes of local agriculture, and the benefits of increased state funding.

After enjoying lunch at the Thomas House, the group traveled the scenic hills of Red Boiling Springs. Stories were told of tourism, hotels, springs, bath houses-and floods-of the past, and the present including the Palace Care and Rehab, library, school, and today's historic hotels.

The Three-Star Program has been around for more than 23 years, and Macon County has been a Three-Star community since 1994.

State agencies and other professionals worked together to develop a comprehensive planning tool with criteria to be met by communities to “achieve excellence in community and economic development”, according to TN Governor Phil Bredesen's description of the progressive program.