Thank you!! Everyone that I know in East Tennessee,Southwest Virginia and North Carolina is just heartbroken over this whole thing!!
Dollywood is jointly owned by the same company which operates Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. Dollywood used to be called Silver Dollar City years ago before she became a partner in the Pigeon Forge Theme Park. I remember when it was Silver Dollar City. The co-owners operate the day to day business end and Dolly uses her name and influence on her part.
Politics aside she has for many years helped Sevier County in programs she founded & funded including incentives offered to help keep kids in high school and graduate. Yes Sevier County does have some high priced resorts and summer homes. It also has families in the county including Gatlinburg who work in tourism and they will be hit hardest as winter for many venues there is off season especially in Pigeon Forge. Dollywood will reopen Friday and it will likely close after Christmas until spring for upgrades as it does every year. The part that is open now is a Christmas Theme put on every year as I understand it and doesn't require a full staff park. For many their jobs burnt down along with their homes. The fact Dollywood didn't burn will help somewhat and I think the aquarium in Gatlinburg survived it.
Their next real danger is unprecedented since the early 1900's flooding and land slides. A major massive soil reclaiming effort must take place ASAP before spring rains hit.