NETWORKS May 2010 Report to Community Stakeholders

A Joint Economic Development Partnership of Bluff City, Bristol, Kingsport and Sullivan County, Tennessee

Calendar:     FTDD Semi-Annual Jun 2   Executive Committee Meeting Jun 15   NETWORKS Full Board Jun 17   A Note from the CEO I'm excited to see all the dirt being moved for the new road into Partnership Park II. With the new industrial access road, it will become much easier to show the property. Currently, we are preparing both electronic and printed brochures for Partnership Park II and Gateway Commerce Park. We know we have Class "A" parks available for new companies, we just have to make sure everybody else knows!

Right Way Marketing Begins Operations Right Way Marketing cut the ribbon on its new facility April 24th. The 50-seat out-bound call center is located in the old Carolina Pottery shopping center. Timothy Hill, Right Way owner, indicated the location was selected to allow for future expansion of the business and to draw from an existing trained workforce.   Right Way was assisted in the move with a $10,000 loan from the Sullivan County Industrial Development Board. The loan will be forgiven if the business reaches a planned number of hires within a specified time. Such loans are provided to companies too small to qualify for state incentive programs.

Olive Garden Opens in Kingsport The new Olive Garden opened May 3rd in the East Stone Commons shopping center on Eastman Road. About 165 jobs will be created by the 246-seat, 7,441 square-foot restaurant.

Two Former Board Members Honored as 2010 Laureates The Tri-Cities TN/VA Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame honored Jerry L. Miller, M.D. and Keith Wilson as 2010 Laureates. The JA Hall of Fame event, to honor and celebrate the entrepreneurial success of these two leaders, will be held at MeadowView on May. 13th.   Dr. Jerry Miller is the President and Founder of the Holston Medical Group, P.C. and Keith Wilson is Publisher of the Kingsport Times News. Both formerly served as members of the NETWORKS' Board of Directors.

Sumner County Delegation Visits Sullivan County As part the Governor's Three Star Program, Sullivan County hosted a delegation from Sumner County, April 22 and 23. The group was provided tours of Bristol Motor Speedway, downtown Bristol, downtown Kingsport and the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing. The purpose of the visit is to allow communities to share their experiences in implementing various community improvement programs. A visit to Sumner County by a delegation from Sullivan County is planned for Summer 2010. (Thanks to the City of Kingsport for the use of a tour bus.)

Bristol Welcomes Royal Mouldings' New Plant Manager A reception to welcome Royal Mouldings' new plant manager was held at the facility April 29th. The new manager, Mark Leszczynski was the former manager of Royal Window and Door Profiles in Reno, Nevada.   Bristol Mayor Fred Testa, along with several local and state officials, welcomed Mr. Leszcznski and his family to the community. Tours of the 405,000 square-foot facility followed. The Bristol plant, which currently employs 101, manufactures products made of Cellular Vinyl which offer the look and feel of wood. Currently, the Bristol facility is producing plantation shutter components, trim board, rigid vinyl PVC window components and exterior trim mouldings.

County Commissioner Recognized for Historic Preservation Efforts County Commissioner Dennis Houser was recognized as "Volunteer of the Year" at the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association's Pinnacle Awards Luncheon on May 5th. The Award recognized Houser for his many years of dedication to save the Derry Inn, the restoration of historic Blountville and efforts to promote historic preservation and tourism development in Sullivan County.

NETWORKS Thanks Intern NETWORKS would like to express sincere thanks to our departing intern, Jeffery Champlin. Jeffery graduated East Tennessee State University on May 8th with a master's degree in public administration. Immediately upon graduation Jeffery and wife Michelle will move to Huntington Beach, California where he will be employed by the American Cancer Society of Orange and Santa Ana Counties.   While with NETWORKS, Jeffery updated the Sullivan County Industrial Directory, Annual Housing Starts and Community Profiles. He also prepared an Industrial Support & Services Directory and assisted King College with a survey of the skill needs of local employers.