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Talkin' Truckin' with Tim Brady

American Rig Radio's Tim Brady interviews Tennessee Department of Tourist Development's Commissioner Susan Whitaker on the impact of the 100 million dollar Discovery Park of America  project, being built in Union City, TN, on the state of Tennessee and how trucking will benefit.


Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Susan Whitaker

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is one of the
leaders among state organizations in the United States tourism
industry. In 2006, Tennessee's tourism generated a $13.4 billion
economic impact to the state's economy, a $1 billion increase for the
second consecutive year.  More than 181,000 Tennesseans are now
employed in the state's tourism industry.  Payroll generated by direct
travel spending grew 3.1% to $5.1 billion in 2006.  Tennessee's
49,750,000 overnight and day-trip visitors provided more than $1
billion in state and local sales tax revenues for the second
consecutive year.

Discovery Park of America
© 2008 The Discovery Park of America
830 North Everett Boulevard US Highway 51 Union City, Tennessee

Architect's rendering.

DISCOVERY PARK OF AMERICA WEBSITE

Location: The site is located in Union City, Tennessee, near the
center of the United States. The site’s eastern border is U.S.
Highway 51 (a four-lane highway known locally as Everett Boulevard)
and the western border is future Interstate 69 (I-69) with right-of-way
now having been purchased and construction beginning with the
groundbreaking ceremony July 1, 2008. The property is located
between two I-69 exits - the Tennessee Highway 22 exit and the
Brevard Road exit.

Discovery Park of America will be a 50-acre, $100,000,000 project
conceived to be a tourist magnet and historical preservation facility
that will attract visitors from all areas of North America. The park will
consist of a world-class museum, outside displays and gardens, a
first-class tourism center and a convention and conference center.

Funded by the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation,
Discovery Park of America will be a celebration of life, emphasizing
the culture, spirit and accomplishments of the human race. It will
improve our understanding of other forms of life - past, present and
future. The park will be dedicated to the history of progress, art,
nature and mankind. It will be a combined tourism and learning center
for children and adults alike. It will benefit people from both this region
and the entire country. Discovery Park of America will teach,
welcome, and entertain all visitors as well as spotlight this region to
the rest of the world.