b'Discovering Where We Livewhat makes Blount County tick a year-long, issue-driven program education, tourism, history, health,for current and emerging lead-industry and service. ers, says Conatser. The Discover Eliza Conatser, Leadership BlountBlount program was born out of Marketing Director and Officethe strategic planning process that Coordinator, explains that Discovertook place in 2017. It is a way to Blount consists of six Discover Days,offer the community at large more each five hours long, spread overaccess and a way to learn about three to four months. Blount County.Discover Blount is designed toDiscover Blount has two sessions help a participant learn about oureach year and can take up to 40 By Sherri Gardner Howell county and identify opportunitiespeople in each, so up to 80 people The people who live round here areto become more involved, sayseach year.pretty happy they do. Its a specialConatser. In collaboration withBusiness cooperation for Dis-place, is what you often hear, thecommunity partners, the programcover Blount has been good, says people, the sceneryjust a goodshowcases the core aspects of theConatser. Public participation has place. county in a fun, unique way. Youalso been good, but Conatser says But what, exactly, is it aboutquickly discover why Blount Countythere is room to grow. We want Blount County that makes it such ais such a great place to live andto fill up every class. Its such a great good place to live? work. way to learn about Blount County, If you cant put your finger on it,Forty participants are acceptedmake some new friends and find Discover Blount. on a first come-first-serve ba- out just where you can contribute Discover Blount is a communitysis. While anyone is welcome topersonally and make a difference.program under the umbrella ofparticipate, the program is aimedPete Carter is the executive direc-Leadership Blount, a long-runningat emerging leaders, those new totor of Leadership Blount, and Rick leadership training program. Dis- Blount County, or anyone wantingShepard is in charge of Community cover Blount, now in its third year,to become more involved in theRelations. Enrollments for the next introduces participants to the ins- community. Discover Blount are open now. The and-outs of community resources inThe core program of the Lead- fee is $325 and sign-up is through Blount County. Programs focus onership Blount non-profit organiza- the website: www.Leadership-tion is Leadership Blount, which isBlount.com.Discover Blount participants Allen Tillman, Valerie Millsapps,A past Discover Blount class visits Vulcan Materials. Michelle Hooper, Will Kincaid and Angela Tillman help out while learning about Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.www.BlountPartnership.com 33'