Friday marked Kayla Carter’s last day as Tourism Coordinator for Carter County, but she will still have the opportunity to serve the community in her new job, just in a different way.

On Monday, Carter will begin her new position as the Outdoor Development Manager with the Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Partnership.

“I’m excited because in a way I get to continue some of the work I started here,” Carter told the Elizabethton Star on Friday.

NeTREP is a unified economic development organization serving Carter, Unicoi, and Washington Counties. The Outdoor Development Manager is a newly created position with the organization with Carter being the first to serve in that role.

“It’s economic development, but tourism is part of that,” Carter said as she discussed how her experience as the Tourism Coordinator for Carter County will assist her in the new role.

Carter will be working with NeTREP to help bolster economic development in the outdoor recreation sector to bring jobs and businesses to the area.

“We really have an untapped resource here,” Carter said of the region’s natural resources. “There are so many opportunities to build on that.”

Carter said she is looking forward to taking on the regional role with NeTREP.

“I look forward to helping not only Carter County but Unicoi and Washington Counties as well promoting outdoor recreation on the regional level,” Carter said.

In addition to her experience serving as the Tourism Coordinator for Carter County, Carter’s resume includes other skills that aid her in the new position.

Carter holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from East Tennessee State University and she previously worked as a journalist at the Elizabethton Star as well as other papers across the region.

“I worked as a reporter in all three counties that I will be serving,” Carter said.

She also previously served as public relations coordinator for the Elizabethton City Schools system.

An outdoor enthusiast herself, Carter enjoys hiking and biking throughout the Northeast Tennessee region, so she is familiar with the outdoor recreation opportunities already available as well as the possibilities that exist for future development.

Carter is ready to take on the new challenge that lies ahead of her and to continue working with many of the individuals she has fostered relationships with as tourism coordinator.

“I’m really thankful that the Chamber gave me this opportunity,” Carter said. “If they hadn’t given me a chance this new opportunity would never have happened.”