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The Downtown Maryville Alliance in partnership with the City of Maryville, the Blount Partnership and the Clayton Center for the Arts is proud to announce its advancement to the public voting phase for the prestigious Levitt AMP Music Series Grant, a multi-year funding opportunity that could bring a free, outdoor concert series to Maryville beginning in 2026.

This initiative is made possible through a strategic partnership between the Levitt Foundation, a national leader in creative placemaking and community-building through music, and the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, with additional support from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

The Levitt AMP Music Series Grant provides up to $120,000 over three years to selected Tennessee-based nonprofits to produce a vibrant, inclusive concert series featuring professional musicians across diverse genres. The program is designed to activate underutilized public spaces and foster community engagement through the power of live music. If selected, Maryville would join a network of cities across the country hosting up to 180 free concerts statewide during the 2026–2028 grant cycle.

The Downtown Maryville Alliance has submitted a proposal to host the concert series in the Charles West Amphitheater at Jack Greene Park, transforming it into a dynamic cultural destination for residents and visitors alike. The proposal is now live on the Levitt Foundation website, where the public can cast their vote to help bring this opportunity to Maryville.

How to Vote

• Online: Visit levitt.org/vote
• Text: Send the keyword MARYVILLE to 877-409-5525
• Voting Period: September 5 at 1 p.m. ET through September 15 at 8 p.m. ET
• Voters may select up to five proposals

Public voting is a critical component of the selection process, reflecting the Levitt Foundation’s commitment to community-driven programming. The number of votes received will be a key factor in determining the six Tennessee-based finalists, to be announced on November 18, 2025.

“We’re thrilled to be in the running for the Levitt AMP Music Series Grant and excited about the opportunity to bring a free, outdoor concert series to the heart of Maryville,” said Amanda Gillooly, Executive Director of the Downtown Maryville Alliance. “This initiative would not only celebrate the power of live music but also transform an underused public space into a vibrant gathering place for our community. We encourage everyone to vote and help us make this vision a reality—let’s show Tennessee how strong Maryville’s spirit truly is!”

The Downtown Maryville Alliance encourages residents to spread the word and rally support by sharing voting information with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

For more information and to cast your vote, visit levitt.org/vote.

As a gateway to the Smoky Mountains, Blount County ranked eighth among Tennessee’s 95 counties in 2024 visitor expenditures at $610.9 million, a six-percent increase from $576.1 million in 2023, according to the Economic Impact of Travel on Tennessee Counties report issued by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Gov. Bill Lee.

On an average day, visitor spending generated $1.7 million in daily expenditures, $600,000 in daily labor income and $67,353 in daily local tax collections. In total, visitor spending in Blount County generated $24.6 million in local tax revenue meaning that each household in the county saw a $1,063 annual tax savings.

Davidson County, which includes the city of Nashville, topped all county indices with $11.2 billion in tourism economic impact. Shelby County was second at $4.2 billion, Sevier third at $3.9 billion, Knox was fourth at $2.1 billion and Hamilton fifth at $1.8 billion. Williamson County entered in sixth with $1.4 billion and Rutherford County was seventh at $787.6 million. Montgomery and Wilson counties at $419.5 and $370.7 million, respectively, round out the top 10.

“It’s wonderful to witness the ongoing growth of the tourism industry throughout the state, especially here in Blount County, where we’ve experienced record-high visitor spending,” said Kim Mitchell, Director of the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority. “As the leisure and hospitality industry stands as the state’s third-largest employer, it’s crucial that we keep promoting our region, which offers abundant outdoor activities and a wide range of dining and lodging choices.”

Tourism employment in the county was at an all-time high of 4,952 which also led to an all-time high payroll of $218.8 million.

State tax receipts for the county totaled $33.3 million, marking the ninth consecutive year of reaching at least $20 million.

Statewide, Tennessee’s tourism industry broke records for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, generating $31.66 billion in direct visitor spending and welcoming 147 million visitors. Tennessee saw a 12% year-over-year increase in international travel spending. This is notable because the report does not consider impacts from new direct flights from Iceland and Ireland added in Spring 2025. Those impacts will not appear until next year’s report.

Tennessee direct visitor spending has grown 36.6% over 2018 compared to the US AVG growth of 17.4% per data from Tourism Economics.

“I’m so grateful to our amazing tourism and hospitality industry for these remarkable results,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “The Tennessee Tourism team has been able to leverage bigger tourism budgets to help grow visitor spending over 36% in these last six years. We are leading the nation as one of just a few states that are aggressively growing tax revenue from non-Tennessee residents to benefit all seven million Tennesseans.”

RT Lodge, an approachable luxury retreat nestled in nature on the historic Maryville College campus, has unveiled plans for two new spaces – The Carriage House spa and the Meeting House, to offer an immersive experience for locals, travelers and corporate guests.

The lodge, renowned for its welcoming hospitality, inviting accommodations and gourmet dining, is expanding to feature a serene day spa and modern meeting space set among old growth trees.

Named after the updated 1930s Carriage House it occupies, the spa will offer facials, massages, an infrared sauna and comprehensive body treatments to accommodate individuals, couples and groups.

“The Carriage House spa will offer peaceful views and personalized hospitality for respite and rejuvenation,” said Beth McCabe Holman, president of RT Lodge. “Guests are invited to experience a massage, enjoy champagne, and take in natural surroundings under the arbor outside or from lounges thoughtfully positioned with tree views.”

The Carriage House will feature seven treatment rooms, including one designed with couples in mind. A wet bar will serve champagne, rosé and white wine. Guests may also order cuisine from a distinct spa menu and explore curated retail offerings, including HydroPeptide facial lines, comfort essentials like robes and pajamas, and eventually even signature RT Lodge products.

The boutique retreat also will unveil The Meeting House this fall, offering an escape from the routine for overnight events, weddings, corporate retreats and gatherings.

“We invite guests to leave the grind behind and collaborate among the trees,” Holman said. “The Meeting House at RT Lodge comprises reclaimed wood beams, peacock paver floors and glass walls that immerse you in the surrounding woods, offering distraction-free comfort that allows your group to be fully present together.”

Available for overnight guests, the space can accommodate up to 75 people and offers modern audiovisual amenities.

Local firms Johnson Architecture and Joseph Construction are overseeing the design and construction of both new facilities.

The boutique lodge already offers cozy overnight accommodations, gourmet cuisine and complimentary bike rentals. The new Meeting House and Carriage House spa will enhance and complement these offerings to create an immersive retreat experience in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.

Guests can enjoy fine dining at The Restaurant at RT Lodge and creative cocktails in the Morningside Room. Overnight guests will enjoy the nourishment of a hot breakfast including eggs, bacon and homemade breads and pastries.

RT Lodge is located in charming Maryville, Tennessee, only minutes away from McGhee Tyson Airport, metropolitan Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.