From Celtic to Appalachia, Cambia Flute Ensemble is "Bein' Green"

From Celtic to Appalachia, Cambia Flute Ensemble is “Bein’ Green”

With St. Patrick’s Day and spring just around the corner, come enjoy the rich heritage of Irish, Celtic and Appalachian music, along with a twist of “green”. Cambia Flute Ensemble’s next concert will feature all of these flavors. The concert begins at 2:00 on Sunday, March 14, 2010 and will be held in the Renaissance Center Auditorium, 1200 East Center Street, Kingsport, TN. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students, and will be available at the door.

Cambia wowed audiences during their Halloween concert this past October with a virtuosic performance combined with a multi-media experience. This concert promises to be just as fun and entertaining. Selections include their own adaptations of favorite and familiar tunes such as It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green and Danny Boy, along with traditional Irish tunes such as Brian Boru’s March, and Miss Molly Malone. In addition, Cambia’s concert will feature the suite, Music from “Appalachia”, specially written by premiere composer, Kenton Coe, based on his soundtrack for the PBS documentary: “Appalachia”. This work will be dedicated in memory of Nellie McNeil, a longtime teacher, columnist and supporter of the arts.

Joining Cambia onstage will be Jim Miller, and his wife Cheri. Jim is known throughout the region as an accomplished instrument builder and teacher, and will be playing mandolin and hammered dulcimer. Returning to perform for a second time with Cambia is Jay Oberfeitinger, principal percussionist with Symphony of the Mountains, who will be playing the traditional Irish bodhran. Other guest artists include mezzo-soprano Julie Vogel, music director at Waverly Road Presbyterian Church; string bass player Vance Reese, co-principal bassist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Professor of Music at Mars Hill College; and native Scotsman Angus Walton, who will be serving as the concert’s Master of Ceremonies.

For more about Cambia, visit their website, www.cambiafluteensemble.com, or call Eileen Butler at (423) 288-8360.

What you should know about Census 2010

Kingsport's perspective: www.development.kingsporttn.gov/census2010

10 QUESTIONS / 1O MINUTES: It's that easy this year!

Feb-Mar: Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households

Mar-Apr: Census questionnaired are available at select public sites for individuals who did not receive one by mail.

April 1, 2010: CENSUS DAY

May-Jul: Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail

Dec 31: By law, the Census Bureau delivers population counts to the President

Mar 2011: By law, the Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states

Carson-Newman Kingsport - Special Rates Info

---

From: Yvonne Jessee [mailto:yjessee@cn.edu]
Sent: Fri 2/19/2010 2:34 PM
To: Fleming, Jeff
Subject: Special Rates Info

 

Yvonne Jessee
Carson-Newman Liaison
Kingsport Center for Higher Education
300 W. Market Street
Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone:  423-354-5523
Fax:       423-247-1788
Email:   yjessee@cn.edu

Did you know that Carson-Newman is offering a special discount rate of 33% for Kingsport classes this Spring?


33% Discount for Undergraduate Classes - $223.33 per credit hour

(3 hour class $670.00 + $60 for Activity and Technical Fee = $730.00)


33% Discount for Graduate Classes - $203.33 per credit hour

(3 hour class $610.00 + $88 for Activity and Technical Fee = $698.00)


If you bring a friend, you will receive a 50% discount instead of the 33% discount.


50% Discount for Undergraduate Classes - $167.50 per credit hour

(3 hour class $502.50+ $60 for Activity and Technical Fee = $562.50)


50% Discount for Graduate Classes - $203.33 per credit hour

(3 hour class $457.50 + $88 for Activity and Technical Fee = $545.50)


High School Juniors and Seniors can Dual Enroll for $110 per credit hour.


Senior Citizens (over age 65) can take a course for $10 per credit hour on a “space

available” basis. Any charge for supplies, materials, or travel will be extra.


Are you interested in auditing a class instead of taking the class for credit? You can audit the class at the 50% discount rate.




Spring 2010 classes will start March 1, 2010.



CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE

Spring 2010 Classes


Course Credit Hours Day Time

REL 101 Old Testament 3 Thursday 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM

REL 102 New Testament 3 Thursday 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

FCS 121 Professional Orientation 1 Monday 4:00 PM – 4:50 PM

MSC 651 Introduction to Pastoral 3 Monday 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Theology and Care


PSY 212 Social Entrepreneurship 1 Thursday 5:00 – 5:50 PM

Seminar



CARSON-NEWMAN COLLEGE

Programs offered in Kingsport


Bachelor of Arts in General Psychology


Bachelor of Arts in Religion


Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies


Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education


Spiritual Guidance and Care Certificate (Master's level - These courses will also count toward a Master's in Counseling)


Special Education Endorsement

Kingsport City Schools: Zoning and Tuition 2010

KINGSPORT – Kingsport City Schools will be accepting zoning and tuition applications for students in grades K-12 beginning February 8 through April 30.

 

Parents who would like to request their child attend a different city school outside the school zone their student is expected to attend must apply for a zoning exception. Parents of students who are not legal residents of the city of Kingsport must submit a tuition application to attend a Kingsport City school. Parents or legal guardians must apply annually for their child's tuition and zoning status, even if they attended a Kingsport City School in 2009-2010.

 

Applications will be made available online at Kingsport City School's website at www.k12k.com. Paper copies will also be available at Kingsport City School's administrative office at 1701 E. Center Street.

 

The following are excerpts from the Kingsport Board of Education's policies and procedures for zoning and tuition:

• Parents or legal guardians must apply annually for their child's tuition and zoning status.
• Students who are not legal residents of the city of Kingsport shall pay tuition charges as approved annually by the Board of Education. Failure to pay tuition will disqualify a student's application for the next year.
• Tuition students are accepted and zoning exceptions are granted only if current enrollment permits.
• The system does not provide bus transportation to either tuition or zoning-exemption students.

 

Criteria for zoning exceptions are as follows:

1. Documented medical reasons;
2. Child Care availability;
3. An expected move to a different zone;
4. Specialized school programs;
5. A fifth or an eighth grade student with a previous zoning exception;
6. A student whose family has moved to a different zone after November 1;
7. Documented justifications related to the child's specific educational experience.

 

The school system utilizes the following order when placing students:

1. Zoning exception reapplications;
2. Tuition reapplications for school employees working at the requested school;
3. New zoning exceptions applications;
4. Tuition reapplications;
5. New tuition applications for school employees working a the requested school;
6. New tuition applications for system and city employees;
7. New tuition applications for out of district residents.

 

For more information, call Tyler Fleming, Director of Student Services, at (423) 378-2155.

-KCS-

 

Teacher Workshop at East Tenn Environmental Conference -Tues, March 16 at MeadowView

http://www.tnenvironment.com/Workshops/info%20flyer-%20teacher%20wkshop.pdf

Rep. Shipley announces significant improvements to S.R. 126

House of Representatives
State of Tennessee



Contact: Kara Watkins (615) 741-1975
kara.watkins@capitol.tn.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rep. Tony Shipley announces significant improvements to State Route 126

(February 2, 2010, NASHVILLE) – Representative Tony Shipley (R-Kingsport) announced today that after participating in a presentation by Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) officials, of which Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey and House Majority Leader Jason Mumpower also took part, various safety improvements will be made to State Route 126 in the summer of 2010.

“State Route 126 has been hazardous for many years now,” said Rep. Shipley. “From the moment I was sworn into office, I pledged to make safety improvements to State Route 126 a priority. After several months of discussions, I am pleased to report that these safety improvements have become a reality, and I am pleased that TDOT has put this down on paper.”

TDOT has now presented a plan that includes both short term improvements and long term improvements to the road. In 2010, TDOT will begin work on implementing and replacing rumble strips, pavement markings, and guardrails. In addition, a significant portion of the road will be resurfaced, making it much safer for drivers.

Long term, TDOT has recommended developing alternate routes for certain problem spots along State Route 126, along with straightening out many of the dangerous curves and widening the embankments on either side.

“These improvements, both short and long term, will save lives,” said Representative Shipley. “I am grateful to those involved in these discussions for realizing how vital this project is, particularly Commissioner Gerald Nicely, Deputy Commissioner Ed Cole and the entire TDOT staff, and I appreciate everyone’s hard work in making this a reality,” he concluded.
# # #

Metropolitan Tennessee

Click link to learn about the economic impact of Tennessee's metro areas on the state as a percentage of the whole METROPOLITAN TENNESSEE
and Memphis and one each in Kingsport-Bristol and Chattanooga. Some of the
most important .... Kingsport-Bristol: Hawkins County, Sullivan County ...

Warriors Path State Park planning Spring Nature Festival

Dear Friends -

 

In the midst of this wintry season, we at Warriors' Path State Park are busily preparing for our 31st annual Spring Nature Festival.

 

April 16-18, 2010 will be a weekend full of nature discovery. We will have a full slate of expert naturalists. Each will lead a mini-seminar on a selected topic in the natural world, followed by a short hike to experience that same nature topic. For example, the stream ecology talk will be followed by a creek discovery walk, the trees & wildflowers walk will be followed by a tree & wildflower hike, etc.

 

This is a free event, and no registration is required. Just come an enjoy a weekend in our Great Tennessee Outdoors!

 

Please feel free to contact me if you need additional information, photographs of this event, etc, or if there is any way I can be of help to you. Have a wonderful winter day!

 

Marty Silver

Warriors' Path State Park

PO Box 5026

Kingsport, TN  37663

423-239-6786

 

Prediction: 6 more weeks of great deals in Kingsport

:

Having trouble seeing the email? View the Online Version

Regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil says, We Predict $avings!
Today's Deals NOW OPEN: Sidori House of Fashion     Pre-Teen & Women's Fashion     —Downtown Kingsport $65 Manicure & Pedicure plus a variety     of Massage & Facial discounts $5 Off any Service—Automotive $17.99—2 Lg. 1-Topping Pizzas $5 Off $20+ Purchase—Restaurant 20% Off Bohemian Glass Lamps $199—8'x11' Rugs Free Dinner & Wellness Workshop Free Pair of Silver Earrings w/ $50+ Purchase Zoom2! Advanced Teeth Whitening—now only $395 Previous Deals Free Pretzel w/ Pretzel & Frozen Drink Purchase $20 Off Key to My Heart Diamond Pendant $699—7-night Alaskan Cruise Book 1 Night, Get 2nd Night Free—Cabin/Lodge ½ Off Valentine Delivery Fee $25 Discount on your 2009 Tax Returns     Free Review of your 2008 Tax Returns 40% Off Winter Clearance $5 Off Tutoring Solutions 40% Off John Deere & Breyer Toys     30% Off Wild Bird Feeders     30% Off Fencing Supplies Full Refund of YMCA Joining Fee if you get moving	February Big-Deal Got Deals? Get Published for Free! Only on KingsportDeals.com Friend Kingsport Deals!
You have received this email because hundreds of Kingsport retailers, restaurants and service companies want to earn your business! The Kingsport Economic Development Board is sponsoring a weekly e-newsletter featuring great deals from Kingsport businesses. Home |  Today's Deals |  Previous Deals |  Advertise a Deal |  Events | About |  Privacy Policy |  Subscribe |  Unsubscribe &copy 2009 • All rights reserved.

Make sure your friends and family know about these great deals, discounts, and savings! This email was sent to kingsportblog@gmail.com by info@kingsportdeals.com. Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Kingsport Deals | 1805 North Eastman Road | Kingsport | TN | 37664

Kingsport City Schools seeks input

KINGSPORT – Kingsport City Schools is seeking input regarding possible school partnership opportunities with mental health services, juvenile court and community organizations.

 

The school system is currently developing an application for the federal Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools' Grants for the Integration of Schools and Mental Health Systems competition. This program provides grants of up to $400,000 for the purpose of increasing student access to quality mental health care by developing innovative programs that link school systems with local mental health systems.

 

As part of the grant application, Kingsport City Schools is asking parents, staff, and community members to complete a brief survey offered at www.k12k.com. The survey contains three brief questions, asking participants to submit ideas as to how to best serve students.

 

For more information, contact KCS Grant Writer Ginger Keller-Ferguson at (423) 378-4056.

-KCS-

 

BMA, BOE meeting announcement February

For Immediate Release – Kingsport City Schools
Contact: Amy Greear, Director of Communications (423) 378-2123
February 1, 2010

Board of Education, Board of Mayor and Alderman to Meet

KINGSPORT – The Kingsport Board of Education will hold a joint meeting with the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman to exchange information regarding school system finances and budget planning.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, February 9 at 1 p.m. at Robinson Middle School, 1517 Jessee Street, Kingsport, TN.

For more information, contact the Kingsport City Schools Office of Community Relations at (423) 378-2123.
-KCS-

Kingsport's Congratulations to our January Big Deal Winner. . .

	Having trouble seeing the email? → View the Online Version  Congratulations to Dianna Haile of Kingsport, TN our January Big Deal Winner! Dianna won a prize-pack of over $200 in Gift Cards to a variety of Downtown Shops and Merchants, as well as a $50 Gift Card to the Kingsport Pavilion store of her choice. Prizes courtesy of: Sophisticated Starlet, Barefoot Chameleon, Guilded Nest, Zip Dry, Carriage House, Uptown Interiors, Bone Fire, Kingsport Grocery, Nooks & Crannies, Chefs Pizzeria, Centre Ville, $50 gift card to Kingsport Pavilion
	You Can Win the Big Deal Giveaway too! Simply go to KingsportDeals.com to enter, & remember, the more times you enter, the greater your chances of winning! February Big Deal prize: Tickets to the Kingsport Ballet, The Big Read Picnic, Red Hot & Blue Revue, & a $50 Gift Certificate to any Kingsport Pavilion Store! February Big Deal Prizes courtesy of the Kingsport Ballet, Kingsport Arts, & Kingsport Pavilion. Don't let your Valentine catch you empty handed . . . Valentine's Day is just around the corner, next Sunday to be exact. Visit KingsportDeals.com for great gift ideas, coupons, & savings on fantastic Valentine's gifts!
You have received this email because hundreds of Kingsport retailers, restaurants and service companies want to earn your business! The Kingsport Economic Development Board is sponsoring a weekly e-newsletter featuring great deals from Kingsport businesses. Home  | Today's Deals  |  Previous Deals  |  Advertise a Deal  |  Events  |  About  |  Privacy Policy  |  Subscribe  |  Unsubscribe © 2009 • All rights reserved. Sponsored by the Kingsport Economic Development Board

Make sure your friends and family know about these great deals, discounts, and savings! This email was sent to kingsportblog@gmail.com by info@kingsportdeals.com. Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Kingsport Deals | 1805 North Eastman Road | Kingsport | TN | 37664

SSA partners with CareSpark to speed up process for disability benefits determination

CareSpark
112 W. Main Street, Kingsport, TN 37660
PO Box 657, Kingsport, TN 37662
Phone: 423-765-9341
Fax: 423-765-9345
Contact: Liesa Jenkins
423-963-4970
ljenkins@carespark.com


KINGSPORT, TN: CareSpark, the regional health information exchange serving east Tennessee and southwest Virginia, was one of 15 organizations selected by the Social Security Administration to request and relay medical records for patients who have applied for disability benefits. CareSpark’s secure connections to electronic systems used by local healthcare provider organizations, and its ability to connect to the Social Security Administration through the gateway to the Nationwide Health Information Network, will significantly shorten the time and associated costs to gather the information that is needed to verify a person’s disability and to approve benefits for those who qualify.

In announcing the selection of CareSpark on Feb. 1, 2010, Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue said, “Using health information technology will improve our disability programs and provide better service to the public. We’ve seen a significant increase in disability applications. To process them, the agency sends more than 15 million requests annually for medical records to healthcare providers. This largely paper-bound workload is generally the most time-consuming part of the disability decision process. The use of health IT will dramatically improve the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of this process, reducing the cost of making a disability decision for both the medical community and the American taxpayer.” http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/nhin0210-pr.htm

“Medical Care, PLLC is proud to partner with CareSpark in our vision of better patient care through better information.

Sharing of patient information between providers and health systems which will improve the quality of care, reduce the time to gather or duplicate services, and reduce the cost. This is an important step in sharing of information which will allow us to focus more on patient care and less on paperwork while increasing the quality of care,” stated Steve Hopland, CEO of Medical Care, PLLC www.medicalcarepllc.com.

To support the transition from manual to electronic gathering of information, the Social Security Administration provided a total of $17.4 million in contract awards to fifteen organizations around the nation, including $1.363 million to CareSpark. Funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the funding supports testing and deployment of technical infrastructure needed to send a patient’s authorized consent to release records, gather relevant records from the provider’s electronic medical records system, forward to the Social Security Administration in standardized format for



review and record an automatic log of the transactions for audit purposes. This project will be among the first uses of CareSpark’s gateway to the Nationwide Health Information Network, an initiative of the Department of Health and Human Services in which CareSpark and other health information networks have participated over the past three years. A pilot project between Social Security Administration and MedVirginia, the health information exchange headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, found that processing time was reduced from 89 to 46 days, and $2M in increased revenue over a six-month period for healthcare providers caring for patients with disabilities.

“CareSpark is very proud that our work at regional and national levels can help local healthcare providers and agents of the Social Security Administration improve their services to the disabled citizens of our region,” said Liesa Jenkins, Executive Director of CareSpark www.carespark.com. “We greatly appreciate the excellent work done by local technical partners such as CGI, LucentGlow, OnePartner, Deliberare, and BCTI to help us build and operate a network that meets the stringent security standards required for this type of exchange, and the commitment of local healthcare leaders who have guided the development of our organization to make sure that we serve the needs of clinicians and patients.”

“We’ve put a lot of thought and hard work into the best approach for modern healthcare delivery, in order to serve our patients better,” stated Dr. Jerry Miller, CareSpark board member and president of Holston Medical Group www.holstonmedicalgroup.com. “This is the next step towards our vision for Holston Medical Group, as well as for CareSpark.”

************************************************************************************************** CareSpark is a non-profit regional health information exchange working to improve health in a 34 county area of east Tennessee and southwest Virginia through the collaborative sharing of health information exchange. Since its inception in 2005, CareSpark has partnered with local healthcare providers, purchasers, technology companies and policy-makers at federal and state levels to develop a sustainable system and secure network that supports patient care delivery, public health improvement and cost-effective delivery of services. Recognized as a model at state and national levels, CareSpark has promoted the adoption and use of health information technology to improve patient care and overall regional health status for the 1,950,000 residents of this central Appalachian region. CareSpark has helped to develop and demonstrate a standards-based system for nationwide exchange through its participation in the Nationwide Health Information Network projects initiated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, visit www.carespark.com.

Talbert leaving for Northeast Indiana

Talbert Leaving Alliance for Position in Indiana


(Blountville, TN) Feb. 3, 2010 – Brandon Talbert, Manager of Marketing and Client Services with The Regional Alliance for Economic Development has announced he will be leaving his position on February 22 to fill the job of Director of Business Recruitment for the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Partnership represents a ten county region in Northeast Indiana and in his new capacity; Talbert will be responsible for the generation of new industrial prospects and leads for the region.

According to Tom Ferguson, President of The Regional Alliance, “Brandon has been considering this for some time and it is a great opportunity for him. Heading up the business recruitment for this large market will offer new challenges and growth for Brandon.”

Newt Raff, Chairman of the Alliance said, “Brandon has been a great asset to the Alliance especially in the area of developing our marketing technologies, such as Tri-Cities Prospector and on behalf of the Alliance we wish him the very best.”

According to Ferguson, the Alliance will immediately begin a search to replace Talbert.

Talbert first joined the Alliance in 2006 as an intern while attending Milligan College. Upon graduation, Talbert was offered a full time position and has been with the Alliance since. Talbert was born and raised in Mt. Carmel and is a graduate of Volunteer High School.

The Regional Alliance covers a ten county region in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The Alliance’s mission is to plan, develop and implement an aggressive and focused global marketing strategy, leverage regional recruiting efforts, support local economic development organizations, facilitate the creation of high quality jobs, attract new capital investment, improve per-capita income and to promote, identify and position the Region to successfully compete in the global marketplace.

For additional information, please contact Tom Ferguson at 423-323-8102 or tferguson@alliancetnva.com


###

Contact:

Tom Ferguson, President/CEO

The Regional Alliance for Economic Development

423.323.8102

tferguson@alliancetnva.com

www.alliancetnva.com

Another Great Year for Kingsport

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The famed Rat Pack - the "best show in Vegas" - thrilled and entertained more than 1,450 guests Friday night with classic Rat Pack hits at the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce 63^rd Annual Dinner at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center.

"Once again, the Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner was another huge success and incredibly fun night," said Jack Dempsey, Kingsport Chamber 63^rd Annual Dinner chair and 11 Connects president and general manager.  "The team at 11 Connects was once again honored and elated to host this hugely popular evening - this now for our eleventh straight year as host sponsor."

In addition to the great entertainment, the Kingsport Chamber showcased and celebrated a number of accomplishments achieved in Kingsport in 2009.

"It was another perfect night to celebrate all of the many great things happening in Kingsport," said Julie Bennett, 2009 Kingsport Chamber chair and vice president and general counsel for Bristol Motor Speedway.  "Your Kingsport Chamber of Commerce remains in 2010 a strong and viable organization.  Our overall effectiveness, however, is enhanced because of partnerships with many other groups. 

"As Mayor Dennis Phillips is fond of saying, 'it's amazing what you can get done when you don't care who gets the credit.'  We are all part of TEAM Kingsport!" 

2010 Kingsport Chamber Chair Charlie Floyd, who serves as the vice president and mill manager for Domtar, said Kingsport must continue its emphasis on its successful educational endeavors.

"Where do we steer our ship now?," Floyd asked the crowd.  "Plain and simple - community education.  Not education in the pure sense, but a community awareness campaign that shows both students and parents the current and future available resources in education.  Not only do we need to show them what is available but, also, the rewards of obtaining higher education."

"Kingsport's Social Event of the Year," the Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner continues to be the largest Chamber annual dinner in the nation.

Eastman Chemical Company served as title sponsor and 11 Connects as host sponsor.  Holston Valley Medical Center was the entertainment sponsor, Eastman Credit Union served as concert hall and stage sponsor, King College was the education sponsor and Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations served as reception sponsor.

"The Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner continues to be the social event of the year and the perfect place to celebrate the tremendous momentum and excitement that is occurring in our community," Dempsey remarked.  "The future looks very bright for Kingsport."

"Not only are we surviving the economic downtown but, in fact, in many areas we have flourished," Bennett said.  "We have flourished in new retail development, business investments and in downtown development - just to name a few.

"Walk down almost any block in downtown Kingsport today and you will find new retail shops, new restaurants and new businesses.  This revitalization is due in large part to the Kingsport Academic Village." 

"Our school leadership tells us that we need to instill a learning culture in our region," Floyd added.  "I agree.  And I want your Chamber to be a motivating partner in cultivating a culture where higher education is expected because it is the norm."

As part of the celebration, the Kingsport Chamber showcased some of the many accomplishments achieved in Kingsport in 2009 and set the stage for continued growth and development in 2010. 

Some of the accomplishments included:

ü       For its superb efforts to promote and enhance higher education initiatives in the community, Kingsport won (out of only 16 finalists nationwide) the prestigious Innovations in American Government Award from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.  The Kingsport Academic Village, which currently attracts more than 2,300 students and will pump more than $21 million into downtown, includes the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Regional Center for Health Professions, Regional Center for Applied Technology, Kingsport Higher Education Center and the Pal Barger School of Automotive Technology that will be built in 2010.  The Kingsport Academic Village will bring $7.4 million in student direct spending alone over a three year period, and a total economic impact of more than $30 million over three years.

ü       The cornerstone of the Kingsport Academic Village, the Kingsport Higher Education Center (KHEC) opened in 2009.  The KHEC offers selected four-year and advanced degrees from the University of Tennessee, King College, Carson-Newman College and Lincoln Memorial University.  Northeast State Community College manages the center.  The KHEC will have a total impact of $14 million on Kingsport in its first year of operation.

ü       The Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM) opened in 2009.  A $2.7 million facility that will anchor a broad-based approach for education and training in highly technical manufacturing skills to meet regional workforce needs, RCAM partners include Eastman Chemical Company, Domtar Paper Company, Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development, city of Kingsport, Sullivan County, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, Kingsport Economic Development Board and Northeast State Community College. 

ü       Eastman Chemical Company continued with its $1.3 billion Project Reinvest.  Eastman was also named one of the Greenest Companies in America by Newsweek magazine.

ü       Kingsport's Holston Valley Medical Center (Wellmont Health System) has been ranked Number One in the state of Tennessee for cardiology services and also ranked in the Top Ten Percent in the nation for cardiology care by HealthGrades, one of the nation's leading independent health care ratings organizations.  Holston Valley Medical Center continued making great progress with its $100 million Project Platinum initiative.

ü       A major medical development is coming to downtown Kingsport.  Mountain Region Family Medicine announced plans to build an $18.5 million facility on the former Quebecor property.  Expected to be a catalyst for future development at the site, the new medical complex will be called the Press Building and will occupy 300,000 square feet of the one-million square foot property and will welcome some 70,000 visits per year to downtown. 

ü       Kingsport's Greenbelt was showcased in Southern Living magazine.  New sections to Kingsport's prized biking and walking trail also opened this year.

ü       Leclerc Foods is currently finishing a major $6.5 million expansion to its headquarters in Kingsport's Northeast Tennessee Business Park, an investment that is nearly doubling the size of the company's headquarters to 175,500 square feet.

ü       Domtar's Ridgefields Converting & Distribution Center completed a multi-million dollar expansion. 

ü       Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium opened a $1.3 million, state-of-the-art planetarium.

ü       John Adams Elementary School opened in Rock Springs. 

ü       Eastman Credit Union opened a new $3.3 million branch across from Kingsport Pavilion.  Best Buy and Zaxby's also opened at Kingsport Pavilion.

ü       Indian Path Medical Center completed a nearly $1 million renovation project that included updated patient rooms and a new lab.

ü       TriSummit Bank made a significant financial investment in the preservation of a historic property in downtown Kingsport.  The building is the bank's Church Circle Financial Center and corporate offices.

ü       The United Way of Greater Kingsport once again surpassed its campaign goal, raising more than $3.7 million.

ü       The MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center, in partnership with Eastman Chemical Company and the city of Kingsport, continued with a major $30 million expansion and renovation, including the opening of 110 new guest rooms to the hotel and the groundbreaking of the resort's Executive Conference Wing. MeadowView makes an annual economic impact of more than $23 million on Kingsport.  That number is expected to soar once the expansion is complete.  Property values in the MeadowView area have skyrocketed from $2.7 million three years before MeadowView opened to more than $88.2 million a year ago.  MeadowView also garnered more global awards as it was named the Number One Marriott in the World for event satisfaction. 

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber's Move To Kingsport program announced 1,277 family households (approx. 2,809 new residents) from 39 states moved to Kingsport in 2009, making a $28 million economic impact on the community. 

ü       Kingsport's House Price Appreciation was ranked as the 12^th strongest in the nation.

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber hosted more than 20 grand openings and groundbreakings in 2009. 

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber's small business program, Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), supported more than 270 small business clients (91 of which were startups), conducted more than 200 one-on-one counseling sessions, facilitated small business micro loans totaling more than $166,000, retained 19 jobs and created 91 new jobs for the Kingsport economy.

ü       Fun Fest celebrated a very successful 29^th festival with more than 100 popular events and a record number of restaurants in Taste of Tri-Cities.  Fun Fest once again was named a Top 20 July Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society and attracted attendees to Kingsport from 23 states and more than 100 Tennessee cities.

ü       The Kingsport Leadership program continued to graduate new community trustees from its Leadership Kingsport, S.H.O.U.T.!® Youth Leadership (Students Helping Others Understand Tomorrow) and ENCORE (Enrich and Nurture your Community; Offer your Resources and Experience) classes.

ü       Keep Kingsport Beautiful continued with its award-winning environmental protection and beautification efforts for Kingsport.

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber's legislative affairs committee reviewed more than 2,000 pieces of legislation that impacted business and hosted events with Governor Bredesen, Senator Corker, Congressman Roe, Tenn. Supreme Court Justice Wade, Comptroller Wilson, Treasurer Lillard, Secretary of State Hargett, Lt. Governor Ramsey, Speaker Williams, Majority Leader Mumpower, Senator Faulk, Senator Crowe, Representative Shipley, Representative Lundberg, Representative Ford, Representative Hawk and Representative Hill. 

ü       Your Kingsport Chamber's Tennessee/Virginia Scholars program graduated more than 500 students that represented 32 percent of the total graduating classes from the city of Kingsport, Sullivan County, Hawkins County and Scott County, Virginia, schools. 

ü       More than 20,000 people visited Kingsport for a record number of 24 sports tournaments and events brought to and hosted in Kingsport by the Kingsport Convention & Visitors Bureau.  These visitors poured more than $8.4 million into the local economy.

Floyd acknowledged Kingsport's successful efforts to promote and enhance higher education efforts and emphasized the importance of this community's continuing commitment to education at all levels.

"Education pays," Floyd remarked.  "It pays with higher paying jobs, financial stability, better quality of life.  Statistics bear out a direct link between higher education and all of these rewards.  For example, college graduates can expect to earn, on average, nearly one million dollars more over their lifetimes than high school graduates."

Floyd said according to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau, an adult without a high school diploma is two times more likely to live in poverty than one with a high school diploma, and seven times more likely than a college graduate. 

The life expectancy of a college graduate is seven years longer than a high school graduate.

"Your Kingsport Chamber stands ready and willing to partner with the NETWORKS - Sullivan Partnership, regional educational institutions, and government and business leaders to drive home the importance of education to each and every student and adult leaner in this region." 

"Kingsport has had another incredible year with a number of exciting and progressive projects occurring, most notably the work with the Kingsport Academic Village," Kingsport Chamber President & CEO Miles Burdine said.  "And the Kingsport Chamber is fully prepared to continue its partnership with the city and the business community to continue to move this great place of Kingsport forward."

"There truly is a lot of great excitement occurring in Kingsport on so many levels right now and we're happy to be a part of that celebration," Dempsey added.  "The Kingsport Chamber Annual Dinner just continues to get bigger and better every year and we enjoy our strong partnership with the Kingsport Chamber on a truly first-class event."

"The Kingsport Chamber strongly applauds and congratulates its outstanding membership and the exceptional and visionary leadership of Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips, the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen, City Manager John Campbell and his outstanding team for these great accomplishments and for the city's continued and successful partnership with their Kingsport Chamber," Burdine added.

The Kingsport Chamber also presented its very prestigious Kingsport Chamber Lifetime Member Awards to Bill Bovender, who is an attorney with the law firm of Hunter, Smith & Davis and a past Kingsport Chamber president.

 

The accolade honors an individual for a lifetime of outstanding service to the Kingsport community. 

The event had more than 75 corporate sponsors.  These included: 

Title Sponsor:  Eastman Chemical Company.

Host Sponsor:  11 Connects.

Entertainment Sponsor:  Holston Valley Medical Center.

Concert Hall & Stage Sponsor:  Eastman Credit Union.

Education Sponsor:  King College.

Reception Sponsor:  Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals and Cremations.

Media Sponsors:   11 Connects; Charter Media; Citadel Broadcasting; Kingsport Times-News; and Times Digital Group.

Printing Sponsors:  Food City and Pepsi.

Hall of Fame Sponsors:  11 Connects; Bristol Motor Speedway; Charter Business; City of Kingsport; CSX Transportation; Domtar; Eastman Chemical Company; Eastman Credit Union; Food City; Holston Valley Medical Center; King College; MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center; Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations; and Pepsi.

Anniversary Sponsors:  BAE Systems.

Diamond Sponsors:  AGC Glass Company; AT&T; Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz; Bank of Tennessee; First Tennessee Bank; J.A. Street & Associates; Pal's Sudden Service; Regions Bank; Symphony of the Mountains Orchestra; and University of Tennessee.

Platinum Sponsor:  IntelliThought and Tele-Optics.

Gold Sponsors:  Baysmont Asbury Place of Kingsport; Brock; Charter Media; Holston Medical Group; Hunter, Smith & Davis; Lincoln Memorial University; Tennessee Electric Company; and The Edinburgh Group.

Silver Sponsors:  Appalachian Power; Blackburn, Childers & Steagall; CenturyLink; Citizens Bank; Dent K. Burk Associates; DEX Publisher/CenturyLink Yellow Pages; Emory & Henry College; GreenBank; NETWORKS - Sullivan Partnership; Phil Bachman Honda; Price & Ramey; Rodefer Moss & Company; SunTrust Bank; TriSummit Bank; Urology Associates of Kingsport; Wilson Worley Moore Gamble & Stout; and WorkSpace Interiors.

Bronze Sponsors:  Alley's of Kingsport; A Team Real Estate Professionals; Branch Banking & Trust Company; Burk Consulting; Chef's Pizzeria; Dragonfly Digital; Dykes Trucking: Environmental Solutions & Associates; Family Dental Center; First Bank & Trust Company; Frontier Health; HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital; Heritage Title & Closing Services; Lawler Wood Housing; Northeast State Community College; Old Island Homes/TCI Group; and Tusculum College.

The Rat Pack is Back performs at The Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.  For ticket information, call the box office at 702-386-2444 or for more information on The Rat Pack is Back, go to www.RatPackIsBack.com.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members.  The Kingsport Chamber's mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800.  We're social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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Bob Feagins
Executive Director of Communications, Public Relations & Member Relations
Kingsport Tennessee Area Chamber of Commerce
423-392-8800

"Kingsport is consistently ranked as one of Money Magazine's Best Places in the South to live!"

www.KingsportChamber.org