NE TN Valley Region

BuSineSS
businessclimate.com/ne -tennessee
nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion
Boosting Bioscience
Valley expands medical, pharma sector
Skill and Support
Companies drawn to local workforce, climate
High-Speed Growth
Region attracts data centers
SponSored By tHe nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGional induStrial development aSSociation | 2012
A GIGABIT community provided by FiberNET!
Tennesse
(423) 586-4121
www.morristownutilities.org
Power
Low cost, high reliability, Smart Grid enabled RP3 (Reliable Public Power Provider) Certified Experienced commercial/industrial supplier
(423) 586-6382
www.morristownchamber.com
900 acres of industrial land available in East Tennessee Progress Center Convenient/easy transportation arteries to I-40, I-81 and US 25E One days drive to 76% of US population Strong manufacturing environment Educated workforce: Walters State Community College Tennessee Technology Center in Morristown No state income tax on wages and salaries
water
Low cost, abundant supply with Class 3 ISO rating Advanced Secondary Carbon Filtration System TDEC Approved regional water supplier
telecommunications
High-speed, low-cost Internet, voice and video 100% FTTH fiber-optic infrastructure Full array of business solutions
Northeast Tennessee
... where bright futures begin.
Johnson City Power Board

2600 Boones Creek Rd. Johnson City, TN 37615 www.jcpb.com
BuSineSS
Workstyle
Skill and Support
12 16 22 30
medically minded
Valley attracts bioscience growth
High-Speed Growth
Region evolves as data center destination
vital resources
Nationally ranked health-care systems serve region
insight
almanac Business climate transportation 6 10 26 34 38 42 47 48
12
education livability Gallery economic profile through the lens
16
30
on tHe cover along with other valley hospitals, abingdon, va.-based Johnston memorial Hospital offers cutting-edge cardiac care.
Photo by antony boshier
34
All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
Please recycle this magazine
BuSineSSclimate.com/ne-tenneSSee
l i F e s t y l e | w o R k s t y l e | d i g g i N g d e e p e R | V i d eo | l i N k t o u s | a d V e R t i s e | C o N ta C t u s | s i t e m a p
BuSineSS
BuSineSS
nort HeaS t t enneSS ee valley reGion
connectionS
ONLINE
an online resource at BuSineSSclimate.com/ne-tenneSSee
BuSineSS
businessclimate.com/ne -tennessee
Digital Edition
Story by Melanie Hill Photography by Todd Bennett
diGital maGazine >>
Medically Minded
Valley attracts growth in number of colleges, companies dedicated to bioscence
16
NORTHEAST TENNESSEE VALLEY REGION
nvestments in science and health care are forging a growing bioscience industry in the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region, where opportunity awaits physicians, researchers, students and entrepreneurs. Since opening four years ago in Harrogate, Tenn., Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine trains more than 600 students and plans to accommodate nearly 1,000 over the next few years. The college provides residency training at 14 regional hospitals and anticipates a $114 million statewide economic impact once its first class graduates. What were really concentrating on is the development of community-based residency programs, says Ray Stowers, M.D., vice president of health sciences and dean of LMUDCOM. We really believe that over the next few years its going to have a huge impact on the retention rate of physicians in underserved areas. In nearby Abingdon, Va., King College is finalizing plans to develop a $15 million medical school. Envisioned to address a projected future shortage of physicians in Central Appalachia, the proposed King School of Medicine and Health Science Center is expected to open in 2014. Part of Johnson Citys Med-Tech Corridor, East Tennessee State University offers 11 doctoral programs in the health sciences and recently combined its five medical colleges to create the Academic Health Sciences Center at ETSU one of 110
Boosting Bioscience
Valley expands medical, pharma sector
Skill and Support
lifestyle
17
High-Speed Growth
Region attracts data centers
A student conducts an experiment at East Tennessee State Universitys Academic Health Sciences Center.
BUSINESSCLIMATE.COM/NE-TENNESSEE
Find out what its like to live here and what makes the community such a special place to be.
SponSored By tHe nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGional induStrial development aSSociation | 2012
Share with a friend

easily share an interesting article, stunning photo or advertisement of your business on facebook, twitter or via e-mail.
Read the magazine on your computer, zoom in on articles and link to advertiser websites. Site Guide >> Find available commercial and industrial properties with our searchable database. SucceSS BreedS SucceSS >> meet the people who set the pace for business innovation. diG deeper >> plug into the community with links to local websites and resources to give you a big picture of the region. demoGrapHicS >> a wealth of demographic and statistical information puts the community at your fingertips.
haVe a BLOG Or weBSite?

embed the digital magazine into your site to add compelling information about the successful businesses located here, what its like to work here and why its a great place to live.
Workstyle
a spotlight on the regions innovative companies
dO MOre than JUSt read aBOUt it

hear from decision-makers at leading companies, see video of the regions success stories and find links to useful demographic information and information sources.
See the video

our award-winning photographers give you a virtual tour of unique spaces, places and faces.
Guide to ServiceS >> links to a cross section of goods and services special to the community
businessclimate.com/ ne-tennessee
Go online
BuSineSS
n o r tH e a S t t e n n eS S e e valley re Gion
201 2 Edition , volum E 4 Editorial projEct managEr emily mcmaCkiN contEnt dirEctor Bill mcmeekiN proofrEading managEr RaVeN petty contEnt coordinator JessiCa walkeR Staff WritEr keViN litwiN contributing WritErS JohN FulleR, daN hieB, melaNie hill, Betsy williams SEnior graphic dESignErS lauRa gallagheR, JaNiNe maRylaNd, kRis sextoN, Vikki williams graphic dESignErS RaChael geRRiNgeR, tayloR NuNley SEnior photographErS JeFF adkiNs, BRiaN mcCoRd Staff photographErS todd BeNNett, aNtoNy BoshieR color imaging tEchnician alisoN huNteR ExEcutivE intEgratEd mEdia managEr deshauN goodRiCh ad production managEr katie middeNdoRF ad traffic aSSiStantS kRystiN lemmoN, patRiCia moisaN chairman gReg thuRmaN prESidEnt/publiShEr BoB sChwaRtzmaN ExEcutivE vicE prESidEnt Ray laNgeN SEnior v.p./SalES todd potteR SEnior v.p./opErationS Casey hesteR SEnior v.p./cliEnt dEvElopmEnt JeFF heeFNeR SEnior v.p./buSinESS dEvElopmEnt sCott templetoN SEnior v.p./agribuSinESS publiShing kim holmBeRg v.p./buSinESS dEvElopmEnt Clay peRRy v.p./ExtErnal communicationS teRee CaRutheRs v.p./viSual contEnt maRk FoResteR v.p./contEnt opErationS Natasha loReNs v.p./travEl publiShing susaN Chappell v.p./SalES RhoNda gRaham, heRB haRpeR, JaRek swekosky controllEr ChRis dudley SEnior accountant lisa oweNs accountS payablE coordinator maRia mcFaRlaNd accountS rEcEivablE coordinator diaNa guzmaN SalES Support coordinator alex maRks SalES Support projEct managEr saRa quiNt SyStEm adminiStrator daNiel CaNtRell databaSE managEr/it Support ChaNdRa BRadshaw WEb crEativE dirEctor allisoN daVis WEb contEnt managEr JohN hood WEb projEct managEr Noy FoNgNaly WEb dESignEr ii RiChaRd steVeNs WEb dEvElopmEnt lEad yamel hall WEb dEvElopEr i Nels NosewoRthy photography dirEctor JeFFRey s. otto crEativE SErvicES dirEctor ChRistiNa CaRdeN crEativE tEchnology analySt BeCCa aRy audiEncE dEvElopmEnt dirEctor deaNNa NelsoN nEW mEdia aSSiStant alyssa diCiCCo diStribution dirEctor gaRy smith ExEcutivE SEcrEtary kRisty duNCaN human rESourcES managEr peggy Blake rEcEptioniSt liNda Bishop
Business Images Northeast Tennessee Valley Region is published annually by Journal Communications inc. and is distributed through the Northeast tennessee Valley Regional industrial development association. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.
For more inFormation, contact:

Northeast tennessee Valley Regional industrial development association 3211 North Roan st. Johnson City, tN 37601 phone: (423) 928-1203 Fax: (423) 323-4016 netvaly.org
viSit Business images northeast tennessee Valley region onlinE at buSinESSclimatE.com/nE-tEnnESSEE

Copyright 2012 Journal Communications inc., 725 Cool springs Blvd., suite 400, Franklin, tN 37067, (615) 771-0080. all rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. member member the association of magazine media Custom Content Council
member Northeast tennessee Valley Regional industrial development association
Almanac
lanGuaGe leSSonS
speaking Chinese is a valuable skill in the modern global trading economy so to give students in the region an economic and cultural edge, greenville, tenn., and Bristol, tenn., city schools are offering lessons in Chinese languages through a partnership with the Confucius institute at the university of memphis. this partnership brought two educators from China to the u.s. to teach mandarin Chinese the worlds third most commonly spoken language to elementary and secondary school students in greeneville and Bristol city schools. with its participation in the Confucius institute program, Bristol became the 369th Confucius Classroom around the world, joining greeneville as the only two east tennessee school districts affiliated with the institute.
Good For BuSineSS

Looking for the best and most affordable place to start a business or grow a career? Look no further than the Tri-Cities Region. The Kingsport and the Bristol, TN-VA area was recently named as the Eighth Best Place to Start Over by MSN Real Estate, thanks to low mortgage rates and promising job prospects from numerous employers, including Domtar Corporation, Eastman Chemical Co. and the Holston Army Ammunition Plant. Johnson City, Tenn., was also recognized by Forbes as one of the top 50 Best Small Places for Businesses and Careers, and Kiplinger ranked it as both the No. 1 small metro area and one of the top 10 most affordable metro areas in the U.S.
promotinG literacy
encouraging children to read at an early age is the goal of the national nonprofit imagination library founded by country music star dolly parton, and two Northeast tennessee Valley communities are at the forefront of that effort. Children who are members of chapter libraries in washington County, tenn., and Bristol, Va., receive one free book per month until they reach their fifth birthday. No fee is involved with the membership, and local chapters in the region currently have more than 1,600 members and counting.
cHartinG SucceSS
Johnson City, tenn.-based software development firm xelex digital llC recently became one of 100 small businesses in america to earn the u.s. Chamber of Commerces annual dReam Big small Business award. xelex, maker of webChartmd.com, is one of only five tennessee businesses to receive this recognition for creating jobs and driving economic growth. webChartmd.com is a web-based application that enables more than 5,000 users around the country to create and manage clinical information. since its launch in 2007, webChartmd. com has more than doubled in size each year and promises to grow larger with the increased need to digitize health-care information.
photo CouRtesy oF JustiN wisemaN
WHere country muSic WaS Born

Bristol, tenn., launched country music to worldwide popularity when a series of recordings made there in 1927 drew international acclaim. those recordings, known as the big bang of commercial country music, is what prompted Congress to designate Bristol the birthplace of the genre more than a decade ago. the citys annual fall Rhythm & Roots Reunion pays homage to its musical heritage, drawing thousands of spectators and more than 150 bands who perform downtown. the city hopes to highlight its history even more with the debut of the Bristol Cultural heritage Center, which will offer space for live performances, lectures and films, and interactive displays tracing the evolution of country music. sponsored by the Birthplace of Country music alliance, the center is expected to open by 2013.
100 yearS oF learninG

on october 2, 2011, east tennessee state university celebrated its 100th year of educating students. the college opened in 1909 as east tennessee state Normal school with just 29 students enrolled. the school was formally founded in 1911, and since then has increased its programs, facilities and staff, taking on university status in 1963 and adding the quillen College of medicine in 1978. today, etsu enrolls more than 15,500 students and offers numerous graduate programs.
BreWinG proFitS
looking for a good brew? microbrewer depot street Brewery in Jonesborough, tenn., has european-style beer to suit various tastes. to satisfy the growing demand for its products, depot street recently struck a distribution deal with Cherokee distributing Company to provide beers at several locations within the tri-Cities and knoxville areas. depot streets beers are on about 45 taps in the tri-Cities and include brews like the loose Caboose lager, express amber ale and southbound scottish ale.
Overview
ten reasons to do Business in the northeast tennessee valley region

more than 300,000 employees with manufacturing backgrounds and a strong work ethic in right-to-work states.
1. Workforce. the region has
charter and air freight service at tri-Cities airport.
2. training. site selection consultants
rank tennessees Fasttrack Job training among the 10 best nationally in training and effectiveness. authority utility companies offer reliable power and rates that are among the nations lowest.
5. Quality of life. the region offers opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities in beautiful surroundings, quality education, affordable housing, low cost of living and friendly people. 6. infrastructure. abundant natural gas and water, advanced digital and fiber-optic networks, and other amenities are available. 7. developed Sites and Buildings.
updated computerized site and community data including location, utilities, transportation, zoning and demographics are available.
and job creation; no sales tax on industrial machinery and equipment, raw materials or pollution-control equipment; and a pro-business attitude.
9. technology resources.
3. utility costs. tennessee Valley
universities, colleges, technical colleges and location in the tennessee technology Corridor give companies a competitive advantage.
10. diversified economy.
4. location and transportation.

our strategic location offers one-day truck access to 76 percent of the nations population via interstates 81, 40 and 26, as well as i-75 and i-77, with service from 55 interstate trucking companies; rail freight service via Norfolk southern and Csx; and commercial air,
the economy includes medical companies, educational institutions, manufacturers, corporate headquarters and distribution centers. For more information, contact: northeast tennessee valley regional industrial development association 3211 north roan St. Johnson city, tn 37601 phone: 928-1203 www.netvaly.org
8. cost of doing Business. Costs are among the nations lowest, thanks to tax credits based on investment
Norton Coeburn
58A
58A
Lebanon
19
Virginia Tennessee North Carolina
Big Stone Gap Dizney Pennington23 Gap 23 SCOTT DuffieldDuffield Mendota Jonesville Jonesville Gate City Gate City LEE
WASHINGTON Glade Spring Emory Abingdon Abingdon

58
Cumberland Gap VIRGINIA Bristol Mount Carmel Kingsport Blountville Sneedville Arthur Blountville Sneedville Arthur JOHNSON CLAIBORNE H A N C O C KChurch Hill Mountain City . Tazewell Tazewell Mountain City SULLIVAN hR Rogersville Rogersville nc 25E 25E Cli 11W WASHINGTON Elizabethton 421 421 11W H AW K INS L. Jonesborough Johnson City Rutledge e Jonesborough 81 Beech Maynardville ke Morristown81 11E ro 26 Beech Mountain Mountain he C HAMBLEN CARTER Greeneville Erwin Erwin Jefferson Jefferson City City AVERY UNICOI Newland 11E 11W Newland 11E GREENE JEFFERSON NORTH 19W Dandridge 19W 19E 19E CAROLINA Dandridge 40 40 23 23 Spruce Pine To Knoxville
58
81
58
To Asheville
Business Climate
magnet for investment

Northeast Tennessee Valley Region strengthens diverse economic base
story by Betsy Williams photography by Todd Bennett
rom Ireland to Asia, companies ranging from automotive and flooring manufacturers to chemical and plastics suppliers are noticing the competitive advantages offered by the Northeast Tennessee Valley. The result: hundreds of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment for the 15-county region. The areas strategic location equidistant from Orlando
and New York plus top-notch transportation and communication infrastructure, a talented labor force, shovel-ready sites and low-cost alternatives all contribute to creating a region that is continuing to add new jobs.
mullican FloorinG HeadS Home Mullican Flooring is moving plant operations from Asia back to Johnson City, Tenn., where it expects to create 164 jobs
over a three-year period. The Tri-Cities has an established workforce in the woodworking industry due to past furniture, flooring and finishing manufacturers who have operated plants in the area, says Neil Poland, Mullican Flooring president. The workforce here is, in general, of higher quality than most of the United States. The rising cost of raw materials in Asia, increased freight on raw materials to Asia and finished goods shipping back to the United States, as well as the ability to utilize automation to offset Asia's lower labor rate advantage, are all factors in the decision to relocate to Johnson City. Overall, we believe that certain products can be produced for equal to or less than the cost of producing in Asia, Poland says.
expanSionS and neW proJectS Morrill Motors also relocated jobs from Mexico back to Erwin, Tenn., while C&F Group plans to locate its first U.S. plant in Kingsport, Tenn. The global
10
company intends to invest $12.5 million in the plant and create up to 450 new jobs. Millions of dollars in investment and hundreds of new jobs are being created in Greene County, Tenn., through expansions at Jarden Zinc Products, LMR Plastics and Donaldson Company. More projects are planned, including US Nitrogen, which is investing $220 million and creating 80 jobs. "That investment is also generating a lot of secondary jobs, says Tom Ferguson, president and CEO of the Greene County Partnership. Its been a very positive year for growth in Greene County. Six companies have expanded, creating another 450 jobs. DHL Industries is building a new manufacturing facility in Bristol, Tenn., expecting to add 75 jobs. Also in Bristol, Triad Packaging is investing $1 million to expand, creating 25 jobs. The automotive industry continues to grow, with expansions at Meritor Inc. and Mahle Engine Components Inc. in Morristown, Tenn. Aerospace is also gaining ground with expansions at Alcoa's Howmet plant in Morristown.
Call centers are another hotbed for growth. Sprint Telecenters plans to consolidate its operations into a 48,000-square-foot facility in Bristol, Tenn., employing more than 600. Call centers at Advanced Call Center Technologies in Johnson City and AT&T's Lebanon, Va., location have also been hiring, as well as the data center for Washington County, Va., distributor Food City.
partnerSHipS Key to inveStment The valley's regional partnerships and visionary leadership have been key factors in job recruitment, says Jack Lawson, director of economic development for NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership in Blountville, Tenn. "We work together and pool our resources to provide companies what they need to prosper, Lawson says. Together, we also have the shopping, housing choice, health care, and cultural and recreation activities that consistently earn the area a top rating as one of the best places to work, live and retire.
growing the automotive sector

Sullivan County was recently named by Expansion Solutions magazine as one of the top five U.S. communities for recruiting and growing businesses in the automotive industry. Along with the region itself, the magazine recognized the work of NETWORKS-Sullivan County partnership, which has recruited several companies to the area, including European automotive parts manufacturer C&F Group, and DLH Industries, an Ohio-based plastics automotive parts supplier.
Unicoi County
Strong Community, Sound Opportunities
100 Main Ave. P.O. Box 628 Erwin, TN 37650 (423) 743-9555 (423) 743-6717 Fax www.unicoiedb.com www.erwinutilities.com www.unicoicounty.org
Joint Economic Development of Unicoi County
11
Skill and Support

Companies discover right climate, workforce for growth in the Valley
story by Betsy Williams photography by Todd Bennett
bundant forests were the reason George Eastman, founder of Eastman Chemical, chose to expand his company in the Northeast Tennessee Valley in 1920. But the advantages that keep Fortune 500 companies and homegrown manufacturers investing in the region today include everything from a pro-business environment to a highly skilled workforce. This region offers a positive business climate for our company to operate in, says Parker Smith, vice president and general manager of Worldwide Operations Support and Global Quality for Eastman Chemical Company, which was once a part of Eastman Kodak. We are fortunate to be located in an area where local officials are willing to work with the company as partners, which has enabled Eastman and the local community to excel
together. The area also provides a skilled workforce, and strong secondary and higher education systems to educate and train future employees. Eastman employs approximately 6,500 workers and 2,500 contractors at its Kingsport, Tenn., facilities producing products people use every day from the paint on cars to the screen on e-readers to the coating on aspirin. The company recently concluded its Project Reinvest a five-year, $1.3 billion commitment to the Kingsport site.
committed to WorKForce traininG Working with companies as partners is the mission of the workforce development program at Walters State Community College, in Morristown, Tenn. The college recently partnered with Minco Inc., a worldwide supplier of fused silica used in
german manufacturer katz americas, the worlds market leader for the beer coaster, operates one of its two u.s. plants in Johnson City, tenn.
12
13
investment casting, to raise the skill of dozens of workers at the companys Midway, Tenn., plant. Minco received a state award for its training efforts. Companies in our region know that a skilled, experienced workforce is one of the keys to success, says Dr. Nancy Brown, dean of workforce development at Walters State. Due to its proximity to other nuclear sites and available rail, Erwin, Tenn., continues to be an ideal location for Nuclear Fuel Services Inc., says Lauri Turpin, NFS communications director. The company, which located in the region in 1957, is the sole supplier of manufactured nuclear fuel for the U.S. Navys fleet of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. The benefits of a manufacturing business in Erwin include an excellent workforce and ongoing community support, as well as continued access to rail and interstate transport, Turpin says.
Great For GroWtH German manufacturer Katz Americas, the worlds market leader for the beer coaster, operates one of its
two U.S. plants in Johnson City, Tenn. The company makes 97 percent of the nations customized coasters. Johnson City was chosen from a long list of places, says Tammy L. Gorzka, director of sales. With East Tennessee being so close to major transportation routes that allow us to serve most of the U.S. population within a day or two, as well as its great workforce, it was a very easy decision. Other companies with a growing presence in the region include NCI Building Systems, which makes custom metal pieces from its Elizabethton, Tenn., factory used to erect landmarks nationwide and as far away as China and India, and Steel Fab, which builds industrial pressure vessels in Abingdon, Va., that are shipped worldwide for use in the air compressor industry. Contour Industries, a Surgoinsville, Tenn., glass fabricator that supplies products to Whirlpool, General Electric and other home appliance giants, is another growing manufacturer in the region. The company recently moved into a 60,000-squarefoot building designed to triple its production and expand its reach into residential, solar and automotive markets.
katz americas makes 97 percent of the nations customized coasters.
14
15
medically minded
Valley attracts growth in number of colleges, companies dedicated to bioscence
16
story by Melanie Hill photography by Todd Bennett
nvestments in science and health care are forging a growing bioscience industry in the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region, where opportunity awaits physicians, researchers, students and entrepreneurs. Since opening four years ago in Harrogate, Tenn., Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine trains more than 600 students and plans to accommodate nearly 1,000 over the next few years. The college provides residency training at 14 regional hospitals and anticipates a $114 million statewide economic impact once its first class graduates. What were really concentrating on is the development of community-based residency programs, says Ray Stowers, M.D., vice president of health sciences and dean of LMUDCOM. We really believe that over the next few years its going to have a huge impact on the retention rate of physicians in underserved areas. In nearby Abingdon, Va., King College is finalizing plans to develop a $15 million medical school. Envisioned to address a projected future shortage of physicians in Central Appalachia, the proposed King School of Medicine and Health Science Center is expected to open in 2014. Part of Johnson Citys Med-Tech Corridor, East Tennessee State University offers 11 doctoral programs in the health sciences and recently combined its five medical colleges to create the Academic Health Sciences Center at ETSU one of 110
a student conducts an experiment at east tennessee state universitys academic health sciences Center.
17
etSus James H. Quillen college of medicine trains students to practice rural medicine.
designated academic health science centers in the country. The new, interdisciplinary identity includes the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, the James H. Quillen College of Medicine, the College of Nursing and the College of Public Health. Interdisciplinary education is a distinct advantage students enjoy when they choose ETSU for education in the health sciences, says Dr. Wilsie Bishop, ETSUs vice president for Health Affairs and University chief operating officer. That interdisciplinary or interprofessional component is even more important for those who plan to pursue a career in
a rural setting, where working closely with health professionals from different disciplines is crucial to promoting better health. ETSU offers medical and pharmaceutical training at area hospitals including regional leaders Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance. The school is also embarking on public-private ventures in hopes of growing the regions promising bioscience industry.
ripe For innovation In 2011, pharmaceutical newcomer BioCorp joined ETSUs Valleybrook campus,
a helping hand
medical technology and bioscience entrepreneurs in the region looking for help getting their operations up and running can turn to etsus innovation lab for assistance. the fullservice incubator is part of Johnson Citys growing med-tech Corridor and provides office and lab space at reasonable rates. For more details, visit www.etsuilab.org.
20
photo CouRtesy oF liNColN memoRial uNiVeRsit y
a 72,000-square-foot research and office complex in Washington County donated to the ETSU Foundation by Eastman Chemical Co. BioCorp CEO Eric Latham says the partnership is a perfect fit for the pharmaceutical startup, which plans to research and develop all-natural, over-thecounter medications, as well as treatments for breast cancer, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers and hypothyroidism. Wed been looking for a while to develop a partnership with ETSUs pharmacy and medical schools, Latham says. Northeast Tennessee is unique in that it has so much infrastructure, talent and skill related to biomedical and pharmaceutical research and health care. We saw a real opportunity here for collaboration and innovation. BioCorp is among several pharmaceuticals setting up shop here. As part of plans to expand its U.S. presence as one of the worlds largest makers of generic drugs, Indian pharmaceutical manufacturer Dr. Reddys Laboratories recently assumed ownership of the Glaxo Smith Kline penicillin plant in Bristol, Tenn., which makes and packages oral penicillin products Amoxcil and Augmentin for its U.S. market. And in Johnson City, Crown Laboratories manufactures prescription and over-the-counter products under its signature brands, Blue Lizard and Del-Ray Dermatologicals. We like to think well play a part in establishing the bioscience industry in Northeast Tennessee, says Latham, who was Valleybrooks first tenant. From an operations standpoint, theres a lot to offer.
The Sleep Inn & Suites hotel in Kingsport is conveniently located off Interstate 81, just one mile from the Tri-Cities Regional Airport. This Kingsport, Tennessee hotel is minutes from area points of interest like the Fort Henry Mall, East Tennessee State University and Bays Mountain Park. The Bristol Motor Speedway is also nearby. The Allandale Mansion, Bristol Caverns, Historic Jonesborough and Johnson City are all only minutes away. Several shops are nearby. A variety of restaurants are located in the area. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and restaurant is within walking distance. Full-service amenities and features include: Free airport shuttle service Free continental breakfast Free wireless high-speed Internet access Free USA Today Free local calls
clockwise from top: lab work at etsus College of pharmacy; training at lincoln memorial universitys deBusk College of osteopathic medicine; R & d work at pharmaceutical start-up BioCorp.
200 Hospitality Place Kingsport, TN 37663 (423) 279-1811
www.sleepinn.com/hotel/tn288
Energy/Technology
High-Speed Growth
Blazing fast Internet makes the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region a data center destination
story by Dan Hieb
hat makes the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region a hot spot for new technology companies? Just ask Mike Browder. The CEO of Bristol Tennessee Essential Services can get a 1-gigabit Internet connection at his boat slip. If you run a data center here, and you have someone who lives in our area, they can have gigabit access to their computer from anywhere in our service area, Browder says. Even on a boat. And if youre going to need constant access to your data, you might as well have the option of hanging out at the marina instead of being anchored to your desk.
trailBlazinG tecHnoloGy BTES started building its own fiber-optic network in the late 1990s and began offering Internet service in 2005. At first, the top speed was 20 megabits per second, which soon grew to 100 and now 1 Gb/s. Its not alone. Bristol Virginia Utilities also offers 1-gigabit Internet, as does Morristown Utility Systems.
The areas infrastructure is so robust that when the Tennessee Valley Authority hired Deloitte Consulting to find 12 ideal sites for data centers in the TVAs seven-state region, three of the sites identified were in the Northeast Tennessee Valley region. TVA pre-qualified data center locations planned in Bristol, Tenn.; Morristown, Tenn.; and Duffield, Va. Thats a big turnaround from 10 years ago, when high-speed Internet access was a rare commodity in the area. We were seeing our children go off to college and earn a computer science degree, then go off somewhere else to get a job, Browder says. We looked at it as a way to help keep our young people here and expand our economic development opportunities. Morristown Utility Systems CEO Jody Wigington says providing the access has been critical. Before it built its fiber-optic network, 55 percent of commercial businesses indicated in a scientific
staying connected valley internet providerS oFFer reSidentS FaSt acceSS

Residential high-speed internet is also available in the Northeast tennessee Valley Region, allowing residents to enjoy fast, easy web access from the comfort of home. Bristol tennessee essential services keeps customers connected with a Fiber-to-the-user connection, which means the providers fiber optic system runs directly to the residence, while Bristol Virginia utilities offers optiNet that requires no modems or routers and is ideal for households where several computers and devices are connected to the internet simultaneously. morristown utility systems offers FiberNet, allowing customers to enjoy video, internet and telephone services, and provides multiple levels of standard internet bandwidth.
22
since locating its tier iii commercial data center in the Northeast tennessee Valley, duffield, Va.-based onepartner has benefited from the regions fast internet, cheap power and geographical advantages.
p h o t o s C o u R t e s y o F o F o N e pa R t N e R
23
Bristol Virginia Utilities
survey that current bandwidths were inadequate to support their operations, he says. Now, it has attracted several businesses to town. The data centers have also been a boon for local schools. Sullivan County Schools and Bristol City Schools, for instance, use the networks to share files and enhance distance learning opportunities.
local data center SetS a mileStone The Northeast Tennessee Valley Region is an ideal data center spot for many reasons, says Tom Deaderick, director of OnePartner LLC, a local Tier III commercial data center. The high-speed network is just part of the picture, he says. Duffield, where his data center is based, allows him to take advantage of fast Internet and cheap TVA power, while also avoiding the geographical pitfalls other data centers are vulnerable to, such as being in a floodplain, a natural disaster-prone
area or a location where man-made disaster is likely to strike such as a major flight path or a heavily populated area. The data center is owned by the Holston Medical Group in Kingsport, Tenn., which wanted an off-site data center and realized that the community was underserved. The data center has earned bragging rights for avoiding any service outages for more than 1,200 days and counting. It achieved that by having redundancies for each of its major systems, which helped it earn Tier III recognition from New York-based Uptime Institute. Weve had some huge players in the server and hosting space look at the area and do some site reviews, and I think well land some of those before long, Deaderick says. We want people to realize what a great place this is for data centers.
24
todd BeNNet t
plugging in
SmaRT GRId, SolaR eNeRGy effoRTS BuIld IN ReGIoN
enhanced systems Consulting, based in Johnson City, tenn., hopes to save the tennessee Valley authority $4.8 billion. the company is using Bristol tennessee essential services fiber-optic network to monitor energy use in more than 1,200 homes particularly the energy used by water heaters. some Btes customers have essentially given up control of the on/off switch allowing the utility to do most of the water heating in the middle of the night, during off-peak hours when power is cheapest. water temperature is monitored to ensure that hot showers are still available. during off-peak hours, the extra demand is actually beneficial to the electrical system, enhanced systems Consulting president matthew Bolton says. his company is partnering with east tennessee state university on the smart-grid research. By doing this, we can decrease the total demand on the Btes system by about 15 percent, he says. it means lower bills for residents and fewer power plants for tVa. and its just one of several clean energy projects going on in the Northeast tennessee Valley Region. in Newland, N.C. in avery County, o2 energies converted a Christmas tree farm into a solar power plant that will supply power to mountain electric Cooperative. and at walters state Community College, a clean energy program that started in spring 2011 gives students hands-on experience with wind turbines and solar panel installation. assistant professor andrew aarons says the goal is for students to take the two-year program and have enough hard skills to go out and get a job or start their own company. Companies and schools around the region are working to be big players in tennessees green economy, which the Business & economic Research Center at middle tennessee state university projects will bring 10,000 green jobs and $5.5 billion investment to the state by 2014. its only going to grow, aarons says. Dan Hieb
Need Infrastructure?
Hawkins County can cover that!
The 550-acre Phipps Bend Industrial District is ready and waiting for your industry. All of your industrial needs are in place including:
A 70,870-square-foot spec building ready for occupancy Rail connection spur to Norfolk-Southern line Utility infrastructure including electricity, gas, water and sewer Tennessee Technology Center located on site Skilled workforce Located adjacent to four-lane U.S. Hwy. 11W Close proximity to four major interstate highways Diverse mixture of existing industry Located within one days drive of 75% of major U.S. markets Tri-Cities Regional Airport 30 miles away
107 E. Main St., Suite 221 Rogersville, TN 37857 (423) 272-7668 (423) 921-2410 Cell (423) 272-0200 Fax Email: hawk4112@bellsouth.net www.hawkinstnindustrial.com
25
26
Transportation
point of access
Region offers ideal infrastructure for distribution, logistics
story by John Fuller
ith its convenient road, rail and air connections and central location along three major interstates, the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region offers an ideal distribution point for companies serving major U.S. markets. More than 75 percent of the nations population is less than a days drive away, and two of the nations major railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern, cross the region with direct connections to U.S. ports in Charleston, S.C. and Norfolk, Va.
valley draWS diStriButorS, loGiSticS FirmS With Interstates 40, 26 and 81 crossing the region, and I-77 and I-75 just an hour away, more than 55 general commodity motor carriers are located in the area, as well as a growing number of distribution and logistics companies. Wal-Mart operates a major distribution center in Greene County, Tenn., sending goods to 92 stores in a multistate area. The 1.2 million-square-foot facility employs more than 900 workers. We are in an excellent location and have a great labor force, says
s ta F F p h o t o
Ted Rideout, general manager of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center. This has been a win-win for the company and the community ever since it opened in 1997. Home Shopping Network and FedEx have distribution centers in Sullivan County, Tenn., and M. Block & Sons, which distributes consumer goods to retailers, recently opened a 500,000-squarefoot center in Jefferson City, Tenn., creating 100 new jobs. The region is home to two major transportation-related companies, both based in Greeneville, Tenn.: Landair and Forward Air Corporation. Forward Air contracts with the air cargo industry, providing time-definite ground transportation services through a network of terminals located at or near major airports in 85 cities across the United States and Canada. Landair provides truckload, dedicated and contract trucking services, as well as warehousing, inventory and warehouse management, and supply-chain solutions to customers principally in the eastern part of the country. Founded three decades ago
Railways crossing the Valley offer direct connections to east Coast ports.
27
28
todd BeNNet t
by local entrepreneur Scott Niswonger, Landair has grown to encompass its own fleet of more than 450 trucks and has more than 910 employees, including contract workers. Northeast Tennessee and Greeneville is where we chose to work and live, and we have certainly enjoyed it here, Niswonger says. This is a hassle-free place to work, and we have loyal employees with a great work ethic.
expanSionS at tri-citieS reGional, otHer airportS Regional airports throughout the valley also add to its logistics appeal, and several are undergoing expansions to serve a growing population. Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) was recently awarded nearly $10 million to complete a full, parallel taxiway that will
increase efficiency on the south side of the airfield for commercial and general aviation aircraft. The extension will open up direct airfield access to an additional 140 acres of airport property for aviation-related industrial development. Work on the taxiway extension is expected to begin in spring 2012, with completion in fall 2013. Ideally located just off of I-81 and situated between the Valleys three major metro areas of Kingsport, Johnson City and Bristol, Tenn., the airport offers nonstop service to Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando and the Tampa area, and is currently served by US Airways, Delta and Allegiant Air. Covering more than 1,225 acres, the airport includes a modern terminal building, a full-service, fixed base operation, corporate
hangars and an air cargo logistics center with adjacent acreage available for development. It also administers a foreign trade zone and is home to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port. We continually work to provide the best available facilities and services for the community, says Patrick Wilson, Tri-Cities Regional Airport executive director. We recognize that a vibrant airport is an important asset for the regions economic growth and stability. Moore-Murrell Airport in Morristown, Tenn., recently opened a new terminal named in honor of Evelyn Bryan Mama Bird Johnson, who has managed the airport for more than 50 years and also holds the title for the most flight hours ever logged in the Guinness Book of World Records.
passengers board a flight at tri-Cities Regional airport in Blountville, tenn.
Have you met Jeff?

With the perfect balance of beauty, brains and ability Jefferson County, Tennessee is fast becoming an ideal location for business in Tennessee. Nestled between Douglas and Cherokee lakes, only minutes from downtown Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Jefferson County offers corporations and individuals alike a unique blend of big-city amenities in a convenient, natural setting.
Jefferson county, Tennessee is:

Accessible: Ideal location along Interstates 40 & 81 and four U.S. highways 40 minutes from Knoxvilles McGhee Tyson Airport Norfolk Southern Rail Access ReliAble: TVA-generated safe and efficient electrical service Advanced and redundant telecommunications infrastructure Plentiful supply of water and wastewater resources HARdwoRking: Dynamic workforce of more than 240,000 people within a 30-mile radius Home to Carson Newman College and a short drive from the University of Tennessee, two community colleges, and a regional technology center AvAilAble: Diverse inventory of readily available commercial and industrial buildings and sites Professional, experienced staff ready to discuss your business needs To learn more, visit us online at: www.selectjefferson.com
Jefferson county chamber of commerce (865) 397-9642
30
todd BeNNet t
todd BeNNet t
Health
vital resources
Nationally ranked health-care systems serve the region
story by Melanie Hill
rom cardiac care to oncology, two major health systems are bringing world-class health care to the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region. Nationally recognized for their quality and expertise, hospitals in both systems are continually enhancing their technology, services and facilities to provide residents with the most advanced care. Based in Johnson City, Tenn., the locally owned and managed Mountain States Health Alliance serves families in 29 counties with 13 hospitals, $1 billion in net revenue, 400 physicians and more than 9,000 team members. Two of its hospitals, Franklin Woods Community Hospital in Johnson City, Tenn., and Indian Path Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn., were recently recognized as top performers on key measures for heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and childrens asthma.
excellence in cardiac care Long recognized for its commitment to cardiac care, MSHA achieved gold status from the American Heart Association and serves as a national benchmark for heart surgery outcomes. Interventional services are offered at Indian Path Medical Center and Johnston Memorial Hospital. U.S. News & World Report named Indian Path a high performer in the 2011 Best Hospital rankings, along with Johnson City, Tenn., Medical Center, which was recognized for its cardiology and heart surgery. MSHA also operates the HeartCoach, the regions only mobile cardiovascular screening unit. In Mountain City, Tenn., Johnson County
Community Hospital received the 2011 Rural Health Quality Award from the National Rural Health Association. The system also operates Johnson Citys Niswonger Childrens Hospital, an affiliate of St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, and recently opened a new medical campus for Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Va. In 2012, MSHA will open a new facility for Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion, Va. Were making a substantial investment in the region because we believe in it, says Ed Herbert, vice president of communications and marketing at MSHA. We owe our growth to cost effectiveness, our people and our technology, but in the end it all goes back to our mission of bringing loving care to health care.
innovative Specialty care Another leading health-care provider in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, Wellmont Health System includes eight hospitals, outpatient facilities, the Wellmont CVA Heart Institute and two major trauma centers. In 2011, Wellmonts Holston Valley Medical Center was named a Thomson Reuters Top 50 Heart Hospital and, along with Bristol Regional Medical Center, recognized as a top-ranked Heart Bypass Program by Consumer Reports. The centers are two of only six in Tennessee accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Our focus on the entire person, body, mind and spirit, as well as our excellent physicians and
clockwise from top: kingsport-based indian path medical Center is known for its cardiac care; holston Valley medical Center, also in kingsport, is a thomson Reuters top 50 heart hospital; erwin, tN-based unicoi County memorial hospital offers top-notch rural care.
31
preventing and Fighting pneumonia

the u.s. department of health and human services recently recognized Johnson City medical Center as one of six hospitals in the nation to receive the outstanding leadership award in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. the award is given to organizations that reach their infection prevention targets for 25 months or more. the ventilator-associated pneumonia rate at JCmC is now a tenth of what it was in 2005, and one-third of what is typically found in hospitals of similar size and patient population. JCmC officials credit the award to a collaborative approach among nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, infection prevention teams, physical and occupational therapists, and pharmacy staff.
treatment team, helps set Wellmont oncology services apart, says Sue Lindenbusch, Wellmont Health Systems vice president of oncology. Comprehensive oncology services include an active research program, a genetic counselor and clinic to test those at high risk for cancer, as well as dedicated navigators for breast, lung and gastrointestinal cancers. Navigators work as liaisons between patients and their physicians, providing one-on-one support and guidance throughout the cancer experience. In 2011, Wellmonts Kingsport Hematology and Oncology moved to a new location on West Stone Drive, providing a warmer healing environment
literally. Heated infusion chairs increase comfort for patients, who also appreciate easier access, spacious accommodations and a cancer resource center for patients and family members. Similar upgrades have been made at Wellmonts Bristol Regional Medical Center and the Southwest Virginia Cancer Center in Norton, Va. With the addition of Blue Ridge Medical Specialists in 2012, Wellmont now boasts the largest group of medical oncologists in the region. The system recently announced plans to expand its cardiology services into Washington County, Tenn., and open a new urgent care and physician office in Abingdon, Va.
32
Well treated
ValleyS RuRal ReSIdeNTS haVe maNy hoSpITal opTIoNS
Residents in more rural areas of the Northeast tennessee Valley have no trouble finding quality health care close to home, thanks to community hospitals that offer a mix of primary and specialty services. lakeway Regional hospital in morristown, tenn., for example, has 134 beds for primary and specialty care, and specializes in hip and knee replacements. the medical center recently opened the Joint academy, a 17-bay day surgery facility that allows more patients to have joint replacement surgery. we spent a lot of time and planning for the opening of the Joint academy, says priscilla mills, lakeway Regional Ceo. patients can now benefit from our specialized treatment approaches that greatly enhance the recovery process. laughlin memorial hospital in greeneville, tenn., has 140 beds and services that include cardiopulmonary, emergency, pharmacy, radiology and surgical. the hospital now includes laughlin Center for womens health, which has been designated a Breast imaging Center of excellence by the american College of Radiology. Construction is under way on a $12.5 million expansion project. the Breast imaging Center of excellence has only been granted to just over 7 percent of the more than 8,600 certified breast centers in the u.s., says Jesse taylor, laughlins director of radiology.
centerS oF excellence
another top medical facility in Northeast tennessee is the morristown-hamblen healthcare system, which offers six Centers of excellence for lung and vascular, maternity, joint and spine, cancer, surgery, and emergency and critical care. the hospital also just completed a $1 million renovation of its womens Center. and in erwin, tenn., unicoi County memorial hospital offers emergency, medical/surgical, intensive care, home health, laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, rehabilitation, respiratory and sleep lab services. the hospital recently received a gold seal of accreditation for its mammography services and is nationally accredited by the Joint Commission. Kevin Litwin
Hancock County
TENNESSEE a great place to LIVE and WORK.
www.hancockcounty.com 180,000 square feet available now
Education
Setting the Bar

Kingsports nationally recognized education collaborative boosts jobs, skills
story by John Fuller photography by Todd Bennett
ompany downsizings and departures put the city of Kingsport, Tenn., on the brink of economic disaster a decade ago, but an ambitious, collaborative education program has sparked a dramatic turnaround in the community. Through its Academic Village and Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing, Kingsport is being cited by national economic experts as a shining example of how a community can pull together to improve itself. Anticipating the loss of hundreds of baby-boomer employees annually due to retirement, Kingsport manufacturers, such as Eastman
Chemical Company and Domtar Corporation, have thrown their support behind the program because they need a good pipeline of well-trained employees to fill that job-skill gap. We came to realize that we needed to diversify our industry here, and we needed to help our existing industries become successful, says Jeff Fleming, Kingsports assistant manager for development.
traininG For HiGH-tecH JoBS A concerted effort to match job training and skills with the needs of the local corporate community was undertaken
through a partnership between the city of Kingsport, the state of Tennessee, Eastman, Domtar and Northeast State Community College. Since its opening in 2009, RCAM has worked closely with industry professionals to provide training for high-tech manufacturing jobs. The center is housed in a 26,000-square-foot facility designed specifically for advanced manufacturing training. Knowledgeable instructors, plus state-of-the-art training simulation equipment like its virtual welder, provide graduates with needed skills to become well-trained workers at local
entrepreneurial accelerator coming to etsu

entrepreneurs in the Northeast tennessee Valley Region will soon have a new place to launch startups. the state of tennessee recently awarded east tennessee state university a $250,000 grant to establish a Regional entrepreneurial accelerator that will assist area entrepreneurs with starting businesses and creating jobs. the accelerator program is part of an iNCite initiative backed by gov. Bill haslam to drive statewide growth in the creation of knowledge-based jobs. Besides etsu, eight other accelerator grants were issued, one in each of the states nine Jobs4tN Jobs Base Camp regions.
34
the regional center for advanced manufacturing in Kingsport, tenn.
35
instructor Randal elam leads an electrical technology class at the Regional Center for advanced manufacturing, which partners with local industries to train skilled workers.
manufacturers. Domtar, which provided the land for RCAM, has already benefited from the apprenticeship program. We graduated our first class of five apprentices from the Domtar Paper Mill, says Charles Floyd, Domtars mill manager and vice president. As journeymen, they now earn 60 percent more in terms of their take-home pay, and they have the skills and the knowledge that we need to efficiently maintain and operate the complex precision equipment in the mill. Facilities like RCAM that have the equipment and technology to help us drive training are vital for us to compete in the global economy, Floyd adds. Jeff Frazier, RCAMs director of training and development, is confident that the RCAM concept will spread.
As we incubate the idea of technology training, we can provide students with the right tools to succeed, Frazier says. If we can show them that manufacturing careers are not only exciting, but rewarding, then weve added an intrinsic value to their lives that might not otherwise be there.
reSultS, recoGnition cominG to KinGSport For Kingsport, the results of these concerted community efforts are already paying big dividends. Comparing 1990 to 2010, the citys population increased by 30 percent, and the median family income went up $20,000 a year. During that same period, more than 12,000 net new jobs were created. The poverty rate in the city has markedly declined, and the number of
bachelors and associates degrees has increased. Harvard Universitys Ash Center for Democratic Governance presented its 2009 American Government Award to the Kingsport higher education initiative, which includes RCAM. Kingsport also received the prestigious Gold Award for Municipal Excellence from the National League of Cities. In addition to RCAM, Kingsports Academic Village includes the Regional Center for Health Professions, the Regional Center for Applied Technology, the Kingsport Higher Education Center and the Pal Barger School of Automotive Technology. Collectively, as a community, we all are doing the things that we need to do to be sustainable for the long term, Fleming says.
36
Standing the test

NoRTheaST TeNNeSSee Valley ColleGeS eaRN aCColadeS, lauNCh expaNSIoN plaNS
more than a dozen colleges and universities in the Northeast tennessee Valley Region supply employers with skilled, educated workers. many of those higher-education institutions are earning national accolades, including east tennessee state university; its business school is listed among the nations best by the 2012 princeton Review. Besides our business school, we earn high marks in technology, the arts, education and nursing, and even have a medical school and pharmacy school on campus, says Joe smith, etsu director of media relations. the university offers more than 100 courses of study and several doctorate degrees. where good, high-paying jobs are becoming abundant, and walters state wants to be on board, says Nancy Brown, wsCC dean of workforce development. Northeast state Community College is adding an auto body service technology program to its degrees and is expanding into Johnson City, tenn., and tennessee technology Center at elizabethton is undergoing a $16 million renovation to enhance various training areas. other top colleges in the region include Carson-Newman, greenville-greene County Center for technology, lincoln memorial university, Virginia highlands Community College and Virginia intermont College. Kevin Litwin
more accoladeS
emory & henry College is ranked among the top liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly, and king College was named among the Best Regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. milligan College in tennessee was ranked No. 9 among the Best Regional Colleges in the south and No. 3 in the great schools, great prices subcategory by U.S. News & World Report, while tusculum College is listed in the templeton Foundations Guide to Character Building Colleges.
traininG For top induStrieS

Community colleges in the region are continuously adding programs to train students for the Valleys fastest growing industries. walters state Community College unveiled a $20 million expansion plan for its greeneville, tenn., campus and invested more than $1 million to establish an advanced clean energy technology program. green/clean energy is a sector
37
Livability
Natural tunnel state park in scott County, Va. is known for its 850-foot-long tunnel, which the 18th century politician william Jennings Bryan called the eighth wonder of the world. s ta F F p h o t o
adventure awaits
outdoor escapes easy to find in Northeast Tennessee Valley
story by Kevin Litwin
et in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region is rich in history, culture and outdoor adventures that range from a wealth of hiking trails to skiing, rafting, fly fishing and other recreational escapes. Whitewater rafting opportunities abound throughout eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, and more than 40 public and private courses make the Tri-Cities area among the best in the country for golf. Fly-fishing fans have access to an extensive system of lakes operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, plus numerous freshwater streams that give the
region more great fishing spots. Cave enthusiasts can explore caverns in Bristol and Linville, N.C., and skiing and snowboarding fun is available at places like Beech Mountain, N.C., and Sugar Mountain, N.C. We also have tubing, ice skating and snowshoeing, plus we offer ski lift rides in the summertime from July 4 through Labor Day for people to view the scenery below, says Kim Jochl, Sugar Mountain Resort marketing director. Also, our website has a live, streaming webcam at both the summit and base of our mountain, so people can see real-time weather and activities.
38
parK it Here Park lovers can visit Natural Tunnel State Park in Virginia, called the Eighth Wonder of the World by William Jennings Bryan because of its 850-foot-long tunnel with a train track winding through it. In Claiborne County, Tenn., Cumberland Gap National Historical Park has caves and waterfalls and encompasses the 650,000-acre Cherokee National Forest. Hikers can venture down hundreds of miles of trails at Great Smoky Mountains National Park or trek up Grandfather Mountain in Avery County, N.C. the highest peak in the Blue Ridge range and home to a 228-foot Mile High Swinging Bridge. The 3,500 acres at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tenn., offers everything from nature walks to crosscountry skiing. taKinG tHe trailS Top trails in the Northeast Tennessee Valley include the Virginia Creeper Trail, which weaves for 35 miles through the backwoods of southwestern Virginia from Abingdon to the North Carolina state
a snowboarder hits the slopes at Beech mountain Resort in Beech mountain, N.C.
s ta F F p h o t o
line. In Greene County, Tenn., its trail system features a 6.4-mile Chimney Rocks-Paint Mountain Loop, which provides views of the Nolichucky River. Other trails that pass through the region include the TransAmerica Bicycle Trail, the Appalachian Trail and the Iron Mountain Trail.
Scenic driveS For those who enjoy scenic routes and interactive driving tours, the 300-mile Crooked Road Musical Heritage Trail stretches from the Kentucky state line into Virginia and takes motorists past musical landmarks like the Ralph Stanley Museum and the Carter Family Fold. For history buffs, the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail, blazed by the legendary frontiersman, runs from Kingsport through Virginias Cumberland Gap. An East Tennessee Crossing, designated as a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. Department of Transportation, follows U.S. 25E and passes through the original Cherokee Warriors Path and Thunder Road of moonshining lore. Additional trails passing through the Northeast Tennessee Valley include the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, Sunny Side Country Trail in Tennessee and the famed Blue Ridge Parkway.
a hiker treks across a train tressel on the Virginia Creeper trail which spans 35 miles from abingdon, Va., to the North Carolina state line.
40
todd BeNNet t
Historic Hideaways
Small TowNS ThRouGhouT The ReGIoN offeR dISTINCTIVe aTTRaCTIoNS
with its rich historical roots and a cultural heritage that ranges from music to motorsports, the Northeast tennessee Valley Region is full of small communities worth visiting for a day trip or a weekend getaway. in Bristol, visitors can stand in the middle of town with one foot in tennessee and the other in Virginia. the tennessee side is home to the paramount Center for the arts, as well as the Birthplace of Country music alliance museum and an extensive live music scene. Nearby, the Bristol motor speedway, nicknamed the worlds fastest half-mile oval, hosts NasCaR races. tennessees oldest town, Jonesborough, is filled with historic sites from the 18th-century and is home to the international storytelling Center, which hosts the annual National storytelling Festival. tennessees second oldest town, greeneville, features a birthplace replica and the burial place of 17th u.s. president andrew Johnson. davy Crockett was also born nearby, and a replica of his birthplace is open for tours. one of the first towns to become an appalachian trail Community, erwin, tenn., is the setting for the annual unicoi County apple Festival. drawing an average of 100,000 attendees each year, the fall festival is one of the southeast tourism societys top 20 events. known for its performing and visual arts, abingdon, Va., founded in 1778, is home to the Barter theatre the second oldest drama venue in the country. if youre really into the arts, abingdon has many offerings, says kevin Costello, town of abingdon director of tourism. we also have interesting sites like the william king museum, star museum, holston mountain artisans and the martha washington hotel and spa. and our attractions are conveniently located off interstate 81 at exits 14, 17 and 19. Kevin Litwin
41
6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1
3/22/10 11:40:09 AM
Gallery
a walk through roan mountain State parks rhododendron Gardens photo by antony Boshier
42
a stop at virginias Bristol railroad Station Staff photo
43
Gallery
a tour through Bushs Beans visitor center in chestnut Hill, tenn. photo by todd Bennett
44
a sunrise over South Fork Holston river in Bristol, tenn. Staff photo
45
advertisers
Bristol Tennessee Essential Services www.btes.net Bristol Virginia Utilities www.accessbristolva.com Carter County Tomorrow www.cartercountytomorrow.com City of Kingsport www.kingsportTN.gov Eastman Chemical Company www.eastman.com Greene County Partnership www.greenecountypartnership.com Hancock County www.hancockcounty.com Holston Electric/Hawkins County www.hawkinstnindustrial.com Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce www.selectjefferson.com Johnson City Power Board www.jcpb.com Joint Economic Development of Unicoi County Erwin Utilities www.unicoiedb.com Morristown Utility Systems www.musfiber.net Mountain States Health Alliance www.msha.com Networks-Sullivan Partnership www.networkstn.com Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional Industrial Development Association www.netvaly.org Scott County Economic Development Authority www.scottcountyva.org Sleep Inn & Suites www.sleepinn.com/hotel/tn259 Washington County Tennessee Economic Development Council www.thewcedc.com
visit our
46
economic proFile
BuSineSS SnapSHot
population (2010)
reGion
773,867 Carter County Claiborne County greene County hancock County hawkins County hamblen County Jefferson County Johnson County sullivan County unicoi County washington County lee County scott County washington County
tenneSSee
strong training and workforce development programs that produce skilled, educated workers, the presence of a network of colleges and technology training centers, and low utility costs and low tax rates make the Northeast tennessee Valley Region an attractive location for doing business. the 15-county region is home to several major manufacturing concerns and a host of technology-oriented enterprises.
57,424 32,213 68,831 6,819 56,833 62,544 51,407 18,244 156,823 18,313 122,979 25,587 23,177 54,876 17,797
maJor induStry SectorS

trade transportation & utilities, 23% manufacturing, 22% education & health, 17% leisure & hospitality, 11% professional & Business services, 9% Financial activities, 4.8% information, 4.1%
hamblen County Jefferson County Johnson County sullivan County unicoi County washington County lee County scott County washington County
$39,807 $38,239 $29,949 $39,957 $34,387 $40,267 $31,352 $34,250 $41,256 $34,918
virGinia
virGinia
nortH carolina
avery County source: http://quickfacts.census.gov
nortH carolina
avery County
median HouSeHold income

reGion
$34,819 Carter County Claiborne County greene County hancock County hawkins County
maJor population centerS (2010)

Johnson City, tN kingsport, tN Bristol, tN Bristol, Va 63,152 48,205 26,702 17,690
tenneSSee
$31,173 $31,353 $36,867 $23,125 $35,392
Whats online
for more demographic, statistical and community information on the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region, go to businessclimate.com/ne-tennessee and click on demographics.
thiS SEction iS SponSorEd by
Scott County, Virginia Were a Natural for Business

Crooked Road Tech Center
Finished or unfinished space available Fiber and power redundancy Close proximity to Tier III Certified Data Center (OnePartner) Publicly owned first-class facility TVA power through Powell Valley Electric Cooperative Virginia designated enterprise zone Premier tech savvy workforce available Close proximity to community colleges and universities 22 miles to Interstate 26 One mile to four-lane Hwy. 58 Labor force of more than 266,000
Scott County EDA 180 W. Jackson St. Gate City, VA 24251 (276) 386-2525 www.scottcountyva.org
47
Through the Lens
Get the Story Behind the photo

Now that youve experienced Northeast Tennessee Valley Region through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.
From our pHoto BloG: nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion
If it werent for the table perched atop the brick and stone oven, I would have never noticed Scratch. It was my last day in Johnson City, Tenn., and it would take another year to get back, but the wait was worth it. at Scratch Brick oven, you can get your pizza three ways: Trust, limited Trust or make your own. with Trust, the pizza maker chooses an eclectic mix of toppings, from sausage to mandarin oranges. limited Trust eliminates what you dont want, and make your own is just that. a word of advice: dont order a whole pizza by yourself or youll be eating it out of your hotels mini fridge for the next several days.
poSted By todd Bennett
more online
See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.
48
Ad Index
C2 Bristol tennessee essential serviCes 5 Bristol virginia Utilities 39 Carter CoUnty tomorrow C3 City of Kingsport C3 eastman ChemiCal Company 37 greene CoUnty partnership 33 hanCoCK CoUnty 25 holston eleCtriC/ hawKins CoUnty 29 Jefferson CoUnty ChamBer of CommerCe 2 Johnson City power Board 11 Joint eConomiC development of UniCoi CoUnty erwin Utilities 1 morristown Utility systems 18 moUntain states health allianCe 8 networKs-sUllivan partnership C4 northeast tennessee valley regional indUstrial development assoCiation 47 sCott CoUnty eConomiC development aUthority 21 sleep inn & sUites 46 washington CoUnty tennessee eConomiC development CoUnCil
An Entrepreneurial Approach to Workforce Development

Beginning with free tuition for all graduates years ago, the City of Kingsport continues its leadership role today with an entrepreneurial approach to workforce development. More than $20 million in local funding has been put to work developing the Kingsport Academic Village, powered by public and private universities alike. Highlighted by the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, the Academic Village features the Regional Center for Health Professions, the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing, offering industry specific and degree-driven programming in the industrial arts, as well as the Pal Barger Center for Automotive Programs. Why dont you call today to find out why Kingsport is the best place to partner and grow your business? For more information, please contact Assistant City Manager for Development Jeff Fleming at (423) 229-9381 or visit us online at www.KingsportTN.gov.
Kingsport Center for Higher Education
Regional Center for Health Professions
Pal Barger Regional Center for Automotive Professions
Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing
49
Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional Industrial Development Association 3211 N. Roan St. Johnson City, TN 37601
Phone: 423-928-1203 www.netvaly.org

NE TN Valley Region

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Descrizione originale:

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

NE TN Valley Region

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

BuSineSS

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

Skill and Support

Companies drawn to local workforce, climate

A GIGABIT community provided by FiberNET!

... where bright futures begin.

Johnson City Power Board

education livability Gallery economic profile through the lens

Please recycle this magazine

nort HeaS t t enneSS ee valley reGion

diGital maGazine >>

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

Skill and Support

Companies drawn to local workforce, climate

Share with a friend

haVe a BLOG Or weBSite?

dO MOre than JUSt read aBOUt it

See the video

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

For more inFormation, contact:

viSit Business images northeast tennessee Valley region onlinE at buSinESSclimatE.com/nE-tEnnESSEE

member Northeast tennessee Valley Regional industrial development association

Good For BuSineSS

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

WHere country muSic WaS Born

100 yearS oF learninG

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

ten reasons to do Business in the northeast tennessee valley region

1. Workforce. the region has

charter and air freight service at tri-Cities airport.

2. training. site selection consultants

3. utility costs. tennessee Valley

10. diversified economy.

4. location and transportation.

Virginia Tennessee North Carolina

WASHINGTON Glade Spring Emory Abingdon Abingdon

magnet for investment

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

growing the automotive sector

Strong Community, Sound Opportunities

Joint Economic Development of Unicoi County

Skill and Support

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

katz americas makes 97 percent of the nations customized coasters.

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

story by Melanie Hill photography by Todd Bennett

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

photo CouRtesy oF liNColN memoRial uNiVeRsit y

200 Hospitality Place Kingsport, TN 37663 (423) 279-1811

story by Dan Hieb

staying connected valley internet providerS oFFer reSidentS FaSt acceSS

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

Bristol Virginia Utilities

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

passengers board a flight at tri-Cities Regional airport in Blountville, tenn.

Have you met Jeff?

Jefferson county, Tennessee is:

Jefferson county chamber of commerce (865) 397-9642

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion

preventing and Fighting pneumonia

nortHeaSt tenneSSee valley reGion