The Partnership's 2012 Membership Directory brought home special honors for the organization and community, winning first place from Mid-Atlantic Newspaper Advertising Marketing Executives for "Best 'Niche' Publication Produced by a Newspaper."  Announcement of the print publication award came on the heels of the presentation of the Southern Economic Development Council's "Superior" award for the new Economic Development website.  These awards are shining examples of outstanding promotional efforts in both print and technology on behalf of the Partnership and its members.

Work has begun on the 2013 Membership Directory by the Partnership and Greeneville Sun staffs.  All members of the Partnership have the opportunity to advertise in this award-winning, members-only publication which will be distributed to all newcomers and visitors to the area during 2013, as well as placed online for viewing through the Partnership website, tremendously expanding advertising efforts.  If you are interested in advertising in the directory, call Artie Wehenkel or Joni Blake Parker at The Greeneville Sun.  Please email changes to your directory listing to vandrew@greenecop.com.

Partnership staff members and numerous local leaders who were instrumental in the formation of the Partnership in 1993 played host to approximately 15 community leaders from Athens, TN, Wednesday.

The entourage was interested in obtaining information about forming an organization similar to the Partnership in Athens, and was provided a lengthy discussion period, as well as a tour of Greeneville sites.  The Partnership continues to serve as a role model for communities who wish to combine Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development and Tourism efforts.

More than 30 local manufacturers gathered at American Greetings on September 25 for a kick-off meeting of the Manufacturers' Council.  Russell Justice, a retired Eastman employee with more than 30 years of Performance Improvement experience, spoke to the group about the importance of Accelerated Continuous Improvement as it pertains to the manufacturing industry.  Thanks to Scott Crawford for hosting the event.  For more information on the council, contact Kelly Burrell at kburrell@greenecop.com.

AccelNow is a non-profit organization recently opened in Johnson City with the goal of building an entrepreneurial ecosystem connecting entrepreneurs in the region with critical resources to accelerate business creation and growth.  AccelNow offers training, networking opportunities and provides mentoring for budding entrepreneurs.  The new program has several upcoming events, including the "Will This Float" Pitch Contest that will be held in November at the General Morgan Inn.  For more information, please visit AccelNow.com, or contact Dave Lawrence at 423-439-8135 or email dave@accelnow.com. 

More than 45 inquiries have been submitted through Tourism's new website, VisitGreenevilleTN.com, requesting vacation information on our area.  The new site features up-to-date press releases on events, a complete listing of our sports facilities and local trails, and Google maps for easier navigation by our guests.  Log on today to stay informed of what is happening in our community.  And don't forget to visit Tourism's Facebook page, facebook.com/DiscoverGreenevilleTN, to post your organization's upcoming events. 

Tourism is once again the recipient of a "matching funds grant" from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.  The $7,500 grant will be used for advertising and promotion and printing and distribution of collateral materials of our community.  Special thanks to Commissioner Susan Whitaker and her team for making this possible.

Congratulations to Tusculum View Elementary School and Roto-Rooter Septic Service for their recent Master Partnership signing.  Activities will include a donation to the student assistance fund to aid low-income students with school supplies, clothes, lunch money, etc.  Roto-Rooter has also prepared an area at the school for a garden that the kindergarten classes will maintain during the school year.  If your business is interested in forming a partnership with a school, contact Kelly Burrell at kburrell@greenecop.com or 638-4111.

Thanks to Wal-Mart SuperCenter and associate Paula Pierce for their hard work raising funds and collecting school supplies for the Teacher Supply Depot, and to the members of the community who participated.  Glenwood Elementary School, winner of the Penny-A-Vote Contest, was awarded a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart and each teacher was given a $50 Wal-Mart gift card to purchase supplies for their classrooms.  More than $800 was raised by the Penny-A-Vote contest which will be used to purchase school supplies at Wal-Mart for the next Teacher Supply Depot opening in January, 2013.  For more information or to make a donation to the depot, contact Kelly Burrell at kburrell@greenecop.com or 638-4111.