Author: jmuir

The Foundation for Future Building Trades to fund Classroom Grants and Scholarships for Construction Careers

Posted on October 29, 2024 by - Uncategorized

construction trades check presentation

The former Builders & Associates of Blount County chapter has consolidated its funds, totaling nearly $450,000, into the Foundation for Future Building Trades to support the next generation of construction professionals. These funds will establish classroom grants and scholarships designed to encourage students to pursue careers in construction, with a special emphasis on residential buildings.

Beginning in Spring 2025, Heritage High School, William Blount High School, and Maryville Junior High School will receive initial grants and scholarships amounting to $2,500 each per semester. Future expansion to other schools is anticipated, helping to broaden the reach of this initiative and further develop the local construction workforce pipeline.

The program is overseen by the Blount Partnership’s Construction Workforce Advisory Committee, which will manage the grant and scholarship disbursement. The fund aims to address the growing need for skilled workers in the construction industry by offering financial support to students, helping them build a foundation for their future careers in the field.

The Foundation for Future Building Trades is actively seeking donations to expand the program, ensuring a continuous and growing flow of trained professionals into the construction workforce. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to support economic growth and community development in the region.

“We are excited to provide these opportunities to local students and are committed to helping shape the future of the construction industry, particularly in residential building,” said Denver Hunt, former Builders & Associates of Blount County chapter representative. “These funds will not only help students succeed but will also strengthen the local workforce, ensuring that our community has access to highly skilled professionals for years to come.”

For more information on the Foundation for Future Building Trades or to make a donation, please contact the Blount Partnership at 865-983-2241.

Peaceful Side Brewery Awarded a Gold Medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival Competition

Posted on October 18, 2024 by - Uncategorized

peaceful side brewery

Peaceful Side Brewery earned a gold medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival (GABF®) competition, hosted and presented by the Brewers Association.

In the 2024 competition, beers and ciders spanning 107 categories and 175 different styles were judged meticulously by 285 judges over 7 days. Awards presented during the Great American Beer Festival competition are considered coveted symbols of brewing excellence globally, and brews that receive an award are considered the most excellent representation of their style category.

Peaceful Side Brewery was recognized with a Gold Medal in the Brett beer-style category for its First Release: Part 2, an iteration of the brewery’s Saison brand. This Saison evolved from the Blackberry Farm Brewery Classic Saison recipe which won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup in 2016 – the renowned international beer competition. Peaceful Side Brewery now produces all Blackberry Farm Brewery beer after the purchase of the brewery in Maryville, Tennessee in December 2023.

Building on the award-winning Classic Saison recipe, Peaceful Side Brewery’s First Release: Part 2 was aged in an oak foeder and dry-hopped with New Zealand Riwaka hops, creating the unique, tropical profile that the GABF awarded the Gold Medal.

“Making beer with artistic intention using quality ingredients is an integral piece of our story as an evolving brewery. We know we make great beer because we’re here every day, working hard to maintain that consistency. To be recognized on a national level for our hard work is an incredible feeling that fills our hearts with joy,” said Chris Meadows, Head of Brewery Operations at Peaceful Side Brewery.

Thanks to a panel of 285 professional judges from around the world and over 250 volunteers, the Great American Beer Festival competition analyzed 9,216 entries. The

2024 competition saw entries from 1869 breweries and cideries from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

“The Great American Beer Festival competition recognizes greatness in innovation and craftsmanship from brewers all over the country, and the Brewers Association takes great pride in crowning one winner from each category as ‘Best in Class,’” remarked Chris Williams, competition director for the Brewers Association. “The Brewers Association is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s winners.”

Pellissippi State awarded $2M for new Aviation Technology degree

Posted on October 18, 2024 by - Uncategorized

airplane maintenance

Pellissippi State Community College has been awarded nearly $2 million through the third round of the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Grants, to support the creation of a two-year associate degree in Aviation Technology, with a focus on Aviation Maintenance Technician Training.


The new degree program, located at Pellissippi State’s Blount County Campus, will provide students with hands-on training in cutting-edge aviation technology, and allow them to work with emerging innovations in design, creation, testing, installation of aviation electronics, aircraft structures and mechanical systems.


“This is a tremendous collaboration with the Blount Partnership that will have a significant impact on our students and local businesses alike,” said Pellissippi State Vice President for External Affairs Patty Weaver. “With a widening gap between the number of retiring aircraft mechanics and those entering the field, this partnership ensures we are responsive to the workforce needs of area businesses who are seeking skilled professionals, while providing our students with meaningful career opportunities.”


The GIVE program, established in 2019, is designed to address skills gaps in Tennessee’s workforce by supporting the development of career pathways that connect postsecondary institutions with local K-12 school systems and local employers.


Grants of up to $2 million each are awarded through the GIVE program to collaborative efforts that create or expand academic programs, develop work-based learning experiences or provide industry-recognized certifications in areas of high demand.


“The state with the workers will win every time, and that’s why workforce development has been one of my top priorities since day one,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. “As a result, companies are choosing to invest and expand in our state, creating greater opportunity and quality of life for all Tennesseans.”

Pellissippi State’s program will equip students with the necessary skills to pursue careers as Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Maintenance Technicians. To graduate, they will need to pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s certification exams, both in knowledge and practical skills.


Aircraft mechanics that graduate from this program will be in high demand for aviation jobs and in other fields that require high mechanical knowledge. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the aviation industry will need to fill approximately 12,000 aircraft mechanic positions annually to keep up with demand.


Pellissippi State’s new degree program aims to help bridge this gap by providing highly qualified graduates to meet workforce needs.


The GIVE Grant, along with the collaboration of industry partners and the Blount Partnership, plays a key role in helping Pellissippi State develop this degree, which will prepare students for successful careers in aviation maintenance.


“We are incredibly grateful for Governor Lee’s support through the GIVE 3.0 Grant,” Weaver said. “Over the next year, we’ll be developing the program with the goal of launching it for students in fall 2025.”

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro Secures Spot in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best for the Second Year in a Row

Posted on October 17, 2024 by - Uncategorized

Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is proud to announce that, for the second consecutive year, it has earned a place among TripAdvisor’s Top 1% Fine Dining Restaurants worldwide for 2024. This prestigious accolade underscores the restaurant’s commitment to delivering unforgettable culinary experiences and consistently earning outstanding reviews from the TripAdvisor community.

Being recognized in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for two years in a row is a testament to Dancing Bear’s relentless pursuit of excellence. The award is given to less than 1% of the 8 million businesses listed on TripAdvisor and celebrates those who consistently offer remarkable experiences while meeting rigorous trust and safety standards.

“We are beyond thrilled to be recognized again among the finest dining establishments in the United States,” said Mark Oldham, CEO of Oldham Hospitality. “Our team’s passion for showcasing Appalachian-inspired cuisine and creating memorable dining moments for our guests is at the heart of what we do. This award belongs to our entire team and to the guests who continue to support us with their kind reviews.”

Nestled in the tranquil beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro is celebrated for its locally sourced, farm-to-table approach to Appalachian cuisine. Diners have praised the restaurant’s innovative dishes, attentive service, and inviting rustic ambiance—-qualities that have earned this repeat distinction.