There are two major opinions about zoning in Union County. One seems to be “don’t tell me what I can do on my property”. People do not want to be told that they can or cannot (choose one) put an RV on their property, raise pigs or turkeys, build another building on their property, rent their property out to others, collect scrap metal. There is a long list of possible rules and regulations that many of the “don’t tread on me” citizens of this county simply do not want. There are also the “not in my backyard” folks who have a point as well.

As people drive through Union County, they find a common theme.
Whether it be in Big Ridge as they drive through the state park, or as they move toward Hickory Star and sit on the swings watching boats come in from a long day of basking in the sun or throwing bait into the water.

The Norris Lake Project Team is looking for volunteers to help with the Fall Five County Norris Lake Cleanups on September 22nd, 29th and October 6th. “Since 2011, volunteers from the counties surrounding Norris Lake have picked up over 200 tons of trash,” said Stephanie Wells, Director of the Anderson County Tourism Council.

Norris Dam was finished in 1936 and the waters of Norris Lake flooded the homeland of many Union County folk who had to find farms and homes elsewhere. Many chose to relocate to the banks of rivers other than the Clinch and the Powell. Some 75 years later, Union County has not regained the population lost to the Norris Dam project. It has gained many measures of prosperity including electric power, technical assistance from Tennessee Valley Authority staff, access to many jobs, and a growing tourism industry.