Tree and Townscape Board Meeting
The Jonesborough Tree and Townscape Board will meet at 11 a.m., Monday, June 23, 2025, in the Board Room at Town Hall, 123 Boone Street, Jonesborough, TN.
Meeting agenda can be found HERE
Water Outage Scheduled 6/10/2025
A water outage is scheduled for 9 p.m. this evening, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, due to a waterline repair near 2737 Hwy 11-E.
The outage will affect the following areas:
Las Vegas Fiesta, All of Hwy 11-E, Limestone, Telford, Bowmantown, Oakland, and the surrounding areas near 2737 Hwy 11-E
We appreciate your patience as crews work to complete the repair as quickly and safely as possible. Please plan accordingly and stay tuned for updates.
Water Billing Late Fees Resume Monday, June 23, 2025
We appreciate everyone’s patience as we’ve transitioned to our new billing system. The transition went live on April 28th, and during this period, which included our move to an outsourced billing provider, we temporarily suspended late fees to ease the process for our customers. The first two rounds of bills were hand-stuffed in-house, and while the first outsourced mailing experienced some delays, things have now smoothed out. We are currently six billing cycles into the new system, and over half of our customers have received at least two bills under the updated process With the new billing system running efficiently, late fees will resume starting Monday, June 23rd. Thank you for your continued support and understanding!
Jonesborough Awarded Multiple Honors at the 28th Annual Pinnacle Awards
The Town of Jonesborough was honored among the tourism industry’s top performers by the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association on Wednesday, May 28, during the sold-out 28th Annual Pinnacle Awards.
The Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association received over 100 nominations in categories for marketing, advertising, events, virtual events, attractions, individual achievement, and supporting business awards. Ranked by a panel of judges within the tourism industry across the United States, 41 Pinnacle Awards were given to the top nominee in each category.
The Jonesborough Tourism Department received multiple accolades. The Department was awarded Best Brochure or Guide for the Jonesborough Visitors Guide and the Partnership Award for its collaboration with local highland cow farms, Rocky Creek Highlands and Happy Hens and Highlands, during the St. Paddy’s Festival. The McKinney Center earned Best Marketing Campaign for its rebranding of the StoryTown Radio Show. The Jackson Theatre received two honors: Best Short Video and the Roll With It Award for its Storytelling Benefit Concert, presented in partnership with the International Storytelling Center.
In addition to organizational achievements, two members of the Jonesborough staff received individual honors at this year’s Pinnacle Awards.
Paul Harris, Event Coordinator and Visitor Center Host, was named Frontline Employee of the Year. This award is presented to a frontline customer service employee who consistently goes above and beyond in their role. Nominated by the Jonesborough Tourism Department, Harris was recognized for his vital contributions to large-scale festivals, his popular portrayal of the Grinch each Christmas, and his role as an official Town Tour Guide with the History and Heritage Associations. His nomination stated:
“It takes someone extraordinary and knowledgeable to share all Jonesborough has to offer with the hundreds of thousands of visitors we see each year. Paul Harris does just that and much more. No matter the situation, Paul brings a much-needed upbeat energy. He is the epitome of an ideal team member. As you can see, he is more than just an employee; he is part of what makes Jonesborough so special.”
Isabel Hawley-Lopez, Marketing Manager, received the Rising Star Award, which honors a professional with fewer than two years of experience in the industry who has already made a significant impact in their field. Nominated by the Jonesborough Tourism Department, Hawley-Lopez was recognized for transforming the town’s social media presence into a powerful tool for tourism promotion. Her nomination read:
“Isabel has elevated the town’s social media into a strong tourism engine, inspiring visitors to plan trips. Her content showcases Jonesborough’s festivals, charm, and community in ways that are authentic and irresistible. Visitors now routinely say they ‘saw it on social’ before making the trip. Whether she’s highlighting a new business, capturing moments at events, or launching a new campaign, her content directly translates into increased foot traffic, tourism spending, and extended stays.”
Bowman Avenue – Upcoming Partial and Full Road Closure Notice
We will be working at various locations on Bowman Avenue between May 13, 2025, and May 23, 2025, which will result in complete and partial road closures of that road for sewer installation. This will impact the entirety of Bowman Avenue between S. Cherokee and Depot Street. The road will remain closed throughout the day until utility work is completed. All truck traffic will be diverted to Forest View Drive. Traffic is encouraged to divert around the closure by utilizing various routes along S. Cherokee, Forest View Drive, 4th Avenue, Depot Street, Woodrow Avenue, and New Street. Local traffic will be allowed, but delays should be expected. Signs will be posted each morning, notifying traffic of the closure to avoid lengthy delays.
Utility Bill Update 5/5/2025
Due to a recent upgrade in our utility billing software all customer account numbers have changed. Customers desiring to pay online have been instructed to call our office for their new account number, however, we are currently experiencing extremely high call volumes. Please leave your name and number and we will attempt to return your call within 24-48 hours. We will not be adding late fees until call volumes return to a normal level.
Utility System Updated
The Town of Jonesborough has updated it’s Utility payment system to better serve our customers. Utility customers have been assigned a new account number for the system. To get your new account number please call the Water Department at 423-753-1040.
May the Fourth Be With You Sunday May 4th 1 – 5 p.m.
Jonesborough Area Merchants & Service Association (JAMSA) will host May the Fourth Be With You event on Sunday, May 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. throughout downtown Jonesborough.
The event will include Star Wars themed treats and character brick figures at participating stores, a town wide “Bounty Hunt”, Star Wars films played at the Jackson Theater, Food Trucks, a Jedi Training Course, Gem Mining for Kyber Crystals, and many more exciting Star Wars themed activities.
The 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, R2D2 inside the Jackson Theatre, and Mandalorian Mercs in attendance will make this event out of this world! Plus, attendees can dress up and participate in the Costume contest with the following categories: Best Youth Costume (Ages 0-12), Best Teen Costume (Ages 13-18), Best Adult Costume (Ages 18 and up), Most Creative Costume, and Best Pet Costume.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at Jonesborough.com/tickets or call the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010.
Façade Grant Program Open For Downtown Merchants
Jonesborough, TN – The Town of Jonesborough is pleased to announce the continued availability of the Downtown Jonesborough Façade & Architectural Improvement Grant Program, an initiative designed to revitalize and enhance the charm and economic vitality of the Downtown Historic Jonesborough.
This grant program provides local property owners and merchants a unique opportunity to invest in the future of their storefronts and community. By offering up to $2,500 in matching grant funds, the program encourages improvements that preserve the historic character of downtown Jonesborough while boosting property values.
“Our building on the corner got a much-needed facelift last fall with new paint and trim, with many thanks to Jonesborough’s Downtown Facade Improvement Grant. The 50/50 match allowed us some additional funds to complete the entire project at once, which included repainting all of our windows and woodwork as well. Many thanks to the Town of Jonesborough for investing in our downtown and keeping her looking her best and a shout out to J Ross for a job well done,” stated Grant Recipient & owner of Mill Spring Makers Market, Melinda Copp.
Eligible improvements may include, but are not limited to, painting, masonry repair, window restoration, awnings, and signage—all contributing to a more attractive and inviting downtown.
Merchants and property owners are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this funding opportunity. Whether restoring a historic façade or making strategic visual upgrades, these improvements play a key role in sustaining Jonesborough’s thriving downtown atmosphere.
Applications are now being accepted. For full program guidelines and application materials, please visit https://www.jonesboroughtn.org/downtown-jonesborough-facade-architectural-improvement-grant-program/
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About the Town of Jonesborough: A unique 18th century town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Jonesborough’s natural beauty, charming architecture, and storytelling heritage have attracted visitors worldwide. Stay a day, a week or forever, and create your own stories in beautiful Historic Jonesborough. Visit www.jonesborough.com for more information.
McKinney Center and Senior Center to Collect Stories about Jimmy Neil Smith
A special “Listening Day” will be held at the Jonesborough Senior Center on Tuesday, May 13 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Members of the community are encouraged to come to the Senior Center, located at 307 East Main Street, and share their memories, recollections, and stories about Jimmy Neil Smith.
Jimmy Neil Smith grew up in Jonesborough. He served as Mayor of the town, founded the National Storytelling Festival, and established the International Storytelling Center. He was a man of many talents and a great raconteur in his own right. Jimmy Neil Smith was a friend and peer to many, and members of the Story Brigade from the McKinney Center will be collecting stories about him that Tuesday in May.
These stories will be preserved in the StoryTown archives at the McKinney Center. They may also be used in future editions of the StoryTown Radio Show, the StoryTown community play, or other Town of Jonesborough projects that honor and celebrate Jimmy Neil Smith. If you ever worked with him, went to school with him, hung out with him, etc., come and share your story.
Contact the Senior Center at 423-753-4781 or the McKinney Center at 423-753-5062 to sign up for a 30-minute time slot that day. You do not have to be a member of the Senior Center to come and share a memory.
