KNOXVILLE — Scenically located along Watts Bar Lake, officials with the town of Spring City are using the area’s natural beauty and availability of water recreation opportunities to turn their community into an outdoors destination.
In recognition of the unified efforts made by the town of Spring City to leverage local assets to build economic opportunity and recreation offerings, the Tennessee Municipal League is pleased to present Spring City with an award for Excellence in Tourism Development. The award will be presented Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at the 84th Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) held at the Knoxville Convention Center.
With a population of just under 2,000 the scenic beauty of Spring City has long been a local secret.
After being designated as a Tennessee RiverTown Community, leaders with Spring City took part in Tennessee RiverLine community workshops and partnered with the firm Farmer Morgan to develop a citywide master plan that would utilize the area’s natural assets for economic success.
Community leaders set goals of becoming an all-season recreation destination, creating a multi-generational community with diverse amenities, and hiring a full-time marketing, grant writer, and funding strategist to make these goals a reality.
The first step was marketing Spring City’s amenities, which was done through the establishment of a Visit Spring City Facebook page, newly designed welcome signs, the trademarking of the motto “The Home of Watts Bar Lake” to promote lake access, and the creation of new wayfinding signage to local landmarks and amenities.
Working with the Tennessee RiverLine, Spring City has facilitated several community engagement events and workshops to gain feedback on what recreation opportunities can be added in the area.
The town opened the Piney River Boat Ramp, an all-inclusive tournament facility with more than 200 parking spaces that is adjacent to an in-progress city park with plans for a kayak launch, paddleboarding, and outdoor amphitheater. Improvements are also planned at the Spring City Veteran’s Park along Watts Bar Lake with potential for a waterfront pier with kayak and canoe launches.
Since its inception in October 2021, the Spring City Tourism and Events Commission has successfully planned, organized, and implemented four-community events in 15 months to entertain residents and draw visitors.
The commission organized two new festivals: the Spring City Blooms Festival and Lighting the Way to Christmas. These events have enriched community spirit and bolstered the local economy, increasing an 8% year-over-year sales tax increase and the opening of new businesses.
Partnering with the Tennessee Aquarium, Spring City officials are also raising awareness of the endangered Laurel Dace, a fish found only in the rivers upstream from Watts Bar Lake around Spring City.
A “Save the Laurel Dace” festival, with kayaking and hiking opportunities in this area along with an accompanying downtown 5K and street fest, is in the works for next year.
The citywide master plan will also work to connect Watts Bar Lake to the Cumberland Trail and Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park as well as all of the town’s greenway trails.
A new 40-acre park with a town-operated RV park to increase visitor accommodation is in its second phase.
The plan will also create a town square in the heart of Spring City, allowing more cohesive connection to the city’s parks, community theater, and other assets.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by the Tennessee Municipal League in their Excellence in Tourism Development award distinction. Since 2021, the Spring City Board of Commissioners, City Manager, town employees, and the Spring City Tourism and Events Commission have worked hard to facilitate tourism opportunities to showcase Spring City’s natural beauty. At the same time, the town can lessen the tax burden on our residents by increasing tourism dollars and bringing a better quality of life and future amenities to our community. We thank the Tennessee Municipal League for this great acknowledgment.” Mayor Woody Evans
Each year the Tennessee Municipal League honors cities throughout the state for overall excellence, improvement, specific outstanding programs, or department accomplishments. Award winners for 2024 include the city of Townsend for Excellence in Community Planning; the city of Shelbyville for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization; the city of East Ridge for Excellence in Economic Development; the city of Etowah for Excellence in Finance; the city of Alcoa for Excellence in Fire Services; the city of Columbia for Excellence in Green Leadership; the city of Pigeon Forge for Excellence in Police Services; the town of Spring City for Excellence in Tourism Development; the city of Eagleville for Innovation in Emergency Services; the city of Ripley for Innovation in Energy and Disaster Resiliency; and the city of Maynardville for Small City Progress.
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