| JUNE | ARCHIVES |
Mayor Kincannon Officially Declares June 25th to be Tennessee Volunteers Baseball Day. City Assists in Community Celebration!
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Federal Grant Helps City, Ijams Beat Back
Unwelcome Invasive Species Vegetation
 Every naturalist, hiker and outdoors adventurer has their own personal least favorite invasive species villain.
Privet? Bush honeysuckle? Tree-of-heaven?
Probably high on everyone’s list: That infamous scourge of the South, kudzu.
But now, thanks to a $225,000 federal Inflation Reduction Act grant, the harassed and harried underdog native species – like dogwoods, redbuds and sugar maples – will soon start to reclaim their rightful place in the urban forest understories in parks and along greenways.
The City and Ijams Nature Center will use the grant to dispatch both paid and volunteer crews to go in and strategically thin some of the spots most overrun by non-native and unwelcome vegetation.
Urban Forester Kasey Krouse is hopeful that 100 acres can be freed from the obnoxious, greedy invasive plants.
At stake, he says, is the long-term health of the urban forest.
“There is no next generation of native trees that are coming up, because the invasives are out-competing the native vegetation,” Krouse says. “If we do nothing, we will lose biodiversity – it’s just a matter of time.”
With the federal resources, that tide will turn. In addition to native trees coming up, a rich and healthy understory will showcase warm-season grasses, blackhaw viburnum and more.
This is the second major infusion of IRA federal funding to improve Knoxville’s tree canopy. Last year, $4.3 million was allocated to Trees Knoxville and to the University of Tennessee. Among other things, thousands of trees are being planted.
To see some other examples of how federal dollars are being invested in Knoxville, click here.
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Kingston Pike: Safer for All Commuters
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Old Broadway Sidewalks Project Enters Final Phase
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City is Exploring Adding E-Bikes & Scooters to Fleet
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15th Annual Business Opportunities Breakfast Best Yet
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 Money for School and More!
Did you know that you can get reimbursed for furthering your education, get a bonus for certain degrees, or get your student loans forgiven?
These are amazing perks of working for the City, but so few people are taking advantage of these opportunities.
Our Human Resources team wants to make sure you fully understand these benefits and incentives, so they penned a letter breaking down everything you Need to Know. Click the button below for more information.
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Bipartisan Build Brings City, County to Habitat Project
 In May 2024, former Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale challenged current and former mayors to put aside political differences, agree that our community needs affordable housing and pitch in with Habitat for Humanity to build a new family home.
Before Mayor Kincannon pitches in on Legacy Day in July, a few City staff members joined a volunteer team for Blitz Day – the first day of a build when 30-plus volunteers raise a home’s four walls in a matter of hours.
The heat and the sweat were daunting, but watching the homeowner herself wielding every tool kept participants inspired.
More Entertainment to Headline Festival on the 4th
 The Fourth of July is right around the corner and this year’s Festival on the 4th will have more entertainment stages than ever before!
 This is a Knoxville staple, serving as the community’s largest Independence Day celebration. Entertainment begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, and will last through the fireworks at approximately 9:45.
There will be food vendors and a variety of fun for all ages. To make things even better: all Festival on the 4th activities are free!
Click the button below to see the schedule of events and to learn more about all the fun!
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This month’s mystery employee is a new face at the City, but many of you may have already seen him around, as his role touches many departments.
He’s a South Knoxville native, and a senior at UT studying Public Administration with an emphasis on Economics.
When he’s not cheering on the Vols, he’s rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
And his first, second and third favorite foods are pizza.
Who is your mystery coworker?
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 Happy anniversary to employees hired in the month of June!
Congratulations to the individuals and departments that recently won awards and KUDOS.
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There was a great turnout of participants and spectators for this year’s MLK Jr Parade and celebration on Juneteenth. Dozens of City staffers and many of our Summer in the City interns helped celebrate the day by marching from Chilhowee Park to Dr. Walter Hardy Park. City Comms captured the day in video and still pictures. Check out the highlights.
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CITY COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT |