b'BASICALLY BLOUNTIntroducingBlount IS A TALL ORDERBy Sherri Gardner Howell Blount County is the front doorgreat music.Fireworks will light to the most visited and most beauti- up Alcoa in July, and the parks The conversation was with anful national park in the country.offer all categories of adult and out-of-towner, but some- Being the front door and not thekids sports, music, swimming one very familiar with Blountgarage or side door, the entranceand picnics. Townsend has festi-County. His company is doingis for special people, those in thevals that celebrate all things fun contract development workknow, those who want to come toand interesting, from crafts and in this beautiful county, andthe area and immediately see themusic to beer and spirits to hot Blount has become his secondbeauty. air balloons.home.Blount County has towns andFor the past decade, Blount In explaining this magazinescommunities with distinctive thingsCounty has been on a path dual purpose as both a Blountto offer collectively and individu- of smart growth. All pieces of County Chamber membershipally. They are rich in history, withgrowth are carefully considered, guide and a recruiting tool forinteresting stories that begin withfrom environmental to quality those interested in working,their founding: Maryville by intrepidof life to workforce develop-playing or living in Blount Coun- pioneers, Alcoa by an industrialment.ty, I said, Our mission withgiant, Townsend by lumber andRead the stories that fol-Basically Blount is to highlightrailroad interests and Friendsville bylow. Telling the story of Blount all the wonderful and uniquethe religious community known asCounty is indeed a tall order. things about Blount County. the Quakers. Basically Blount has given it a His response? Thats a tallThe area knows how to play.herculean effort. Enjoy!order. Maryvilles downtown is a place to Indeed. stroll, visit, shop, eat and listen to 4 Basically Blount 2021'