Knox County Mayor Tim Burchette stands with the staff of south Knoxville’s Love That BBQ during “Lunch with the Mayor.” (The Herald/ Submitted Photo)

More so than any facet of American economics, small local businesses make up the backbone of a nation that was built with an emphasis on the individual.

Unfortunately, recent economic collapses have hurt these fundamental enterprises more than nearly any other type of organization.

Recognizing this problem on a local level, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett has hosted a handful of cash mobs to encourage local support, and more recently he incited an additional plan.

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett hosted his second “Lunch with the Mayor” event Sept. 14 at south Knoxville’s Love That BBQ from 11:30 until 1 p.m.

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