GATLINBURG, Tenn.—The City of Gatlinburg has been recognized with two of the Tennessee Municipal League's (TML) highest honors, receiving the 2026 Excellence in Public Works Award and the 2026 Innovation Award during the 86th Annual Tennessee Municipal League Conference in Kingsport.
These awards recognize municipalities that demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and service to their communities.
The Excellence in Public Works Award honors the City's investment in its recently renovated and expanded Public Works Complex, while the Innovation Award recognizes Gatlinburg's nationally unique Trout Facility and Trout Program. Together, the awards reflect the City's continued commitment to providing exceptional municipal services, while enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
"This is an incredible honor for the entire Gatlinburg community," said Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner. "These awards are a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of the City employees, who work every day to make Gatlinburg one of the best places to live, work, and visit in Tennessee. Whether it's investing in modern infrastructure or preserving one of Gatlinburg’s most unique facilities, City employees continue to set the standard for municipal excellence."
EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC WORKS
The Tennessee Municipal League recognized Gatlinburg's Public Works Complex for transforming a property partly impacted by the 2016 wildfires into a modern, centralized facility serving the City's Street, Service Center, Utilities Maintenance, Building Maintenance, Mass Transit operations, as well as incorporating the City’s Customer Service Center.
This $15.6 million investment has improved efficiency, enhanced collaboration between departments and streamlined operations.
In addition to serving as the home to five City Departments, the facility also houses the City's Trolley fleet, Winterfest lighting inventory, indoor vehicle wash facility, equipment storage, and a renovated Customer Service Center featuring convenient drive-thru and after-hours payment options. By bringing multiple departments together under one roof, the City has improved communication, reduced duplication of services, and increased operational efficiency.
"Our Public Works Complex represents much more than a new building," said Gatlinburg City Manager Greg Patterson. "It represents years of planning and collaboration, along with a commitment to providing our employees with the tools and facilities they need to better serve our residents and the millions of visitors who come to Gatlinburg each year. This award belongs to every member of our Public Works team whose dedication keeps this city operating every day."
INNOVATION AWARD
The City's Innovation Award recognizes Gatlinburg's Trout Facility and Trout Program, one of the most distinctive municipal programs in Tennessee. Established in the early 1980s, the program raises and stocks approximately 40,000 to 50,000 trout annually into Gatlinburg's mountain streams, ensuring a premier fishing experience while promoting conservation, education, and environmental stewardship.
"The Trout Program has become one of the things that makes Gatlinburg truly unique," said Trout Facility Manager Travis Williams. "We're proud to provide an outstanding fishing experience while also teaching future generations about conservation, natural resources, and the importance of protecting the streams that define our community. It's rewarding to see a program that began more than 40 years ago continue to receive statewide recognition."
Beyond supporting recreational fishing, the Trout Facility serves as an educational destination, welcoming thousands of students and visitors each year through tours and outreach programs focused on aquatic ecosystems, fish biology, water quality, and conservation.
"The success of our Trout Program is a direct result of the outstanding leadership of Recreation Director Laurence Evans, Trout Facility Manager Travis Williams, and the dedicated Recreation Department staff who play a hand in the operation of this facility," Patterson said. “This recognition reflects not only their hard work, but also the City's ongoing commitment to providing unique recreational opportunities that benefit both our residents and the millions of visitors who experience Gatlinburg each year."
A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Patterson said the recognition demonstrates Gatlinburg's long-standing commitment to investing in innovative programs and critical infrastructure that benefit both residents and visitors.
"Receiving two statewide achievement awards in the same year is an incredible accomplishment and speaks volumes about the caliber of employees we have serving the City of Gatlinburg," Patterson said. "These awards recognize two very different programs, but they share a common purpose, which is providing exceptional public service.
“From rebuilding critical infrastructure following the 2016 wildfires to operating one of the most unique municipal trout programs in the country, our employees continue to find innovative ways to serve the public with excellence," Patterson said.
The Tennessee Municipal League represents Tennessee's 345 incorporated cities and towns and annually recognizes municipalities demonstrating outstanding achievement in local government. The awards were presented during the League's 86th Annual Conference held July 9–12 in Kingsport.
For the latest updates from the City of Gatlinburg, visit GatlinburgTN.gov or visit the City’s Social Media pages on Facebook and X. Individuals can also keep up with the latest from the City of Gatlinburg by downloading the City’s Mobile App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for “City of Gatlinburg”
###