A search for the new Tourism Coordinator at the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce is well underway.

The Tourism Coordinator position became vacant earlier this month when Kayla Carter left her role at the Chamber to take on a new position with the Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership. Carter had served as Tourism Coordinator for Carter County since June 2016.

Following Carter’s resignation, the Chamber opened up the application process to find her replacement. Friday at noon marked the deadline for applications to be submitted by those interested in the position.

Chamber Director Tonya Stevens said several individuals had applied for the position and the Executive Committee of the Chamber’s Board will now begin the process of selecting the new Tourism Coordinator.

“I’ve already done some interviews, and I’ve called several and set up interviews for after the first of the year,” Stevens told the Elizabethton Star.

After the first round of interviews is completed, Stevens said she will report back to the Executive Committee regarding the candidates and interviews.

“Once I meet with the Executive Committee, they will determine who they want to call back in for a second interview,” Stevens said.

The Tourism Coordinator role is important to the Chamber’s operations and promoting Carter County, and the Chamber is hoping to fill that position soon, Stevens said. However, the Chamber has not set a firm date for the hiring process to be completed.

“We want to move as quickly as we can, but we also want to be patient and make sure we have the right person and the right fit,” she said.