Allen Newton has been the Director of the Sevier County Economic Development Council for more than seven years now, and still has trouble with people realizing he is not a county employee.
Just this month one county Senior Committee member referred to Newton as working for County Mayor Larry Water’s office, and a few days later a local publication ran his salary in a list of government officials.
“Some folks don’t understand the Economic Development Council was an entity created by the county, but it’s a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization run by a board of directors,” said Newton. “I work directly for the board.”
Newton has been the council’s chief juggler for a little more than half of its 14-year existence. “I think I’ve been here seven years, might be eight now. Time flies when you’re having fun,” said the Knoxville native.
Newton was working in Nashville when he moved to Gatlinburg to run the city’s Special Events office. He then took the job at the development council. His wife Cyndi has been along for the ride, and the couple have two children: Andrew, who is 11, and Anna who is 8.
The council receives its funding from a variety of sources that keep Newton involved in several key fields of the area’s business community. The council’s members include funding partners from the bank clearing house made of local bankers, appointed members from the gas and utility districts, and appointees from the county and three cities. City Managers Earlene Teaster, Doug Bishop and Cindy Cameron Ogle along with Mayor Waters have input because their respective local governments provide a portion of the council’s funding.
The day-to-day life for Newton varies greatly. The Economic Development Council charges itself with attracting and encouraging both manufacturing and tourist-related business, while also assisting with expansion of current businesses, according to Newton.
That broad scope has the council and its staff involved in wide array of tasks, including the construction of the business parks, such as Smith-Thomas and the John L. Marshall Industrial Park. The council is already working on a new spec building in the Marshall park that they hope will be the home of a new county business in the future.
Recruitment of manufacturers to fill the park is a daily part of Newton’s life, along with projects to help existing industrial businesses.
Recently the council arranged a trip to ORNL for some owners and came away with some new contacts, a few new business leads for orders and the possibility of some research help for one company on its manufacturing process.
The balancing act of time and resources has Newton running this spring. On the day the Herald caught up with him, he was working on the budget for next year, trying to get ahead of a busy April. Council projects on tap included ideas for a web site to create a county jobs wanted and resume index ,and another site for listing commercial property for sale or lease in the area.
The small business health care initiative survey is still ongoing, but some first figures are due with the April showers. Revising the marketing materials for prospective businesses to the area is underway along with the job fair for local business.
Newton also represents the council on various other committees. He works with Partners in Progress, the local scholarship program for Sevier Co. students to attend Walters State Community College. That committee, which involves the school system and guidance counselors as well as WSCC, has had to examine the impact of lottery scholarships to the needs criteria and is discussing adding an internship component to the program.
To top off the busy month, the Sevier County Economic Development Council has its monthly meeting. Newton and staff have to gather up the reports and keep the diverse group of members informed. Most members serve a three-year term on the council, but the bank members serve for two-year stints. The meetings are openly held.
Newton can be reached by phone at the council’s office at 428-2212 or check out the group’s website by visiting scedc.com.

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