Local residents are invited to take part in a special Town Hall meeting to share their thoughts on ways to improve tourism as well as economic and community development in Carter County.

The Tourism Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, from 7-8 p.m. at the historic Bonnie Kate Theater.

Earlier this year, Carter County was awarded a grant to assist in the promotion of tourism. Through the grant, Design Sensory was hired to compile a tourism asset list as well as develop an action plan for promoting tourism in Carter County.

The Town Hall meeting is part of the process Design Sensory is using to garner feedback from the community to help develop the action plan.

Carter County Tourism Coordinator Kayla Carter is excited to hear from residents during the Town Hall meeting regarding what they would like to see regarding tourism and economic development.

“The last thing we want is for our asset action plan to be put out and for the people to feel their voice isn’t in it,” Carter said. “I get people telling me their ideas or suggestions all the time, and this will be a way to get all that information into one document and a plan.”

The meeting is open to anyone in the community who would like to hear more about the tourism action plan or those who have ideas and suggestions they would like to share.

“I don’t want to put limitations on anyone,” Carter said. “If they have an idea, we want to hear it.”

Carter said she hopes to see residents, business owners, community groups, and service organizations all represented at the meeting to share their ideas.

Another aspect of the Town Hall that Carter is looking forward to is the venue itself.

“I’m really excited to have this at the Bonnie Kate,” Carter said. “I think it’s the perfect location because it is a tourism asset.”

Have the meeting at the historic theater will also give the team from Design Sensory a chance to see the venue and its potential to attract visitors to town with a variety of programs.

For more information on the event or if anyone has questions, Carter invites them to contact her at the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce by calling 423-547-3850 or by e-mail to info@tourcartercounty.com.