PlanET (Plan East Tennessee) has collected thousands of ideas about ways East Tennessee can grow stronger in the future. After several years of data collection and thousands of public comments, a clear message has emerged that prosperity in East Tennessee is tied to excellence in education, a healthier region, and great places that attract great companies and retain talented individuals. East Tennessee’s communities are linked through economic, cultural, and natural assets. Because we share so many assets, we know that together we are stronger and we must work together collaboratively to ensure that we are all prosperous in the years to come.
The ETcompetes! Summit, entitled “Committing to a Stronger East Tennessee,” and presented by PlanET and Innovation Valley, is a follow-up to a very successful symposium on Regional Economic Competitiveness in January 2013. The focus of the summit will be to share what we have learned, determine how we can continue to advance regional dialogue, and move towards local implementation. The Summit will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at The Standard, 412 West Jackson St. from 8:00-11:30 a.m. (Doors open at 8:00 a.m.; Light breakfast served; Event starts at 9:00 a.m.)
Joining us in this dialogue will be special guests Matt Murray, director of the Howard Baker Center and associate director of the UT Center for Business and Economic Research; Buzz Thomas, President, Great Schools Partnership, Stephanie Myers, Community Relations Liaison of Green Mountain Coffee and Roasters, Inc; Matt Gallaher, Chef Owner, Knox Mason. Our panelist will engage in a short discussion on education, healthy communities, and the economic competiveness of a “great communities.” Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, City of Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, and City of Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor will host. We anticipate an attendance of over 150 leaders.
The Summit is a celebration of the collaborations that have led to a community roadmap for long-term prosperity. Most importantly, the event seeks to make a call to action to serve as a springboard into 2014 and beyond with groups and individuals that will ensure our communities will be posed to address shared challenges and capitalize on shared opportunities to build a more prosperous and resilient region.
“The regional Summit is a celebration of the culmination of countless hours of work from community groups, local governments and thousands of engaged citizens,” said Amy Brooks, PlanET project manager. “We’re excited to be co-hosting this event with Innovation Valley and to have this opportunity to identify action steps to continue this work into 2014 and beyond.”
About PlanET
PlanET is a regional partnership of communities building a shared direction for the future of Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon and Union counties. PlanET is a grassroots process to gather citizen input and to identify common themes about regional assets and challenges, centered on five specific areas: jobs, housing, transportation, a clean environment, and community health.