Quarterly Newsletter
Community Stakeholders Report - Quarter Two - 2021
Clay Walker, CEcD - CEO
Email: cwalker@networkstn.com
Website: linkedin.com/in/clay-walker-cecd-67bbb18
Location: P.O. Box 747 Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: 423-279-7681
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NETWORKStn/
Twitter: @ClaytonRWalker
From the Desk of the CEO
Reasons to Smile
It’s great to be out of the house, especially in Northeast Tennessee, and with so much opportunity in front of us
Go to almost any city in the United States for its Fourth of July parade and you’ll see lots of smiling faces. It is a celebration, after all – a celebration of our nation’s freedom and greatness and flaws and continuous journey towards being the best it can be, the best we can be. While the past year and a half have been dominated by an unprecedented global pandemic and the all too familiar issues of racial division, and diversity and inclusion. It is through struggles like these that our country is defined and will either reemerge as the shining light for the world to follow or an example of how judgment and tribalism can bring down the greatest among us. Yet, even in these challenging, frightening times, the smiles at Kingsport’s Fourth of July celebrations that I attended were in abundance. I’m sure that was the case in Bristol. And Johnson City. And most cities across our region, our state, and our country.
Much of the optimism and patriotism I am sure can be explained away as our all just being happy to be out of the house among each other. That was definitely a factor. I would contend though that what being out among each other signaled was more of the reason for the smiles than just the relief of having more people with whom to visit than immediate family members. Seeing our neighbors and fellow citizens reminded us that we are not in this alone and that together, communities, states, nations can do incredible things.
For economic developers, the past year has challenged us differently than anything in my career. It has had more factors and uncertainties than a recession or energy crisis or war. It has been even more complex than 9-11; it might not have been any more frightening, but it has certainly been long-lasting and just as uncertain.
As usual, my profession and my home have made me proud during this, in some cases at the same time. Through the advent of RegionAHEAD, the chambers, and economic development organizations pulled together at the beginning of the business shut-down last year, later involving business people and medical experts, to find unique ways to do our part in helping Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia through the challenge. We also stayed the course with our usual efforts, and as we come out of the pandemic crisis (Delta variant notwithstanding), it is that resolve and work that will get our economy back on track.
This quarter’s newsletter has examples of groundbreakings representing both. The new substation construction underway by BTES in Bristol sits right across US Highway 394 from the Bristol Business Park where the second and third sites to be made “shovel ready” (thanks in large part to the assistance of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and TVA) are shaping up nicely. Just down the road sits NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership’s Partnership Park II, where soon dirt will be moved in order to level a 35-acre site and put it at rail grade.
We also celebrated Domtar’s reinvestment and conversion of its Kingsport’s mill with a groundbreaking in May. Not only will the plant’s going from paper to containerboard production make for a more financially stable facility, its use of recycled material and updated processes make this a much more environmentally friendly operation.
While all of those looking-ahead moments were worth celebrating, so it was with a looking-back moment. Carolyn Ferrell, whose time on the NETWORKS Board of Directors dates back further than my eight years as CEO (by one year, but still further…). She has served as Treasurer, Vice-Chairman, and Chairman, the latter for two years. She was also on the hiring committee that brought me to Northeast Tennessee. She was recognized as the state’s Volunteer of the Year by the Tennessee Economic Development Council a couple of years ago as well. She’s been a great advisor, supporter, and friend. She will continue to be all three, I am certain, just not as a member of our Board. I’d like to say publicly how much she has meant to me over the years. I wish her all the best and look forward to many more great times with her and her husband, Les.
There are many reasons to look forward to the next quarter of activity in the Tri-Cities and all of Northeast Tennessee. We’ve had one jobs and investment announcement already, with last week’s news that Barrette Outdoor Living will expand its Bulls Gap/Hawkins County plant and hire 162 additional workers. Many more are in the works and our partners at NeTREP tell us of exciting projects in the works in Washington, Carter, and Unicoi counties. We have also been working with NeTREP and partners such as the First Tennessee Development District on some exciting initiatives which are nearing roll-out.
So it appears we will have plenty of reasons to continue to smile throughout the summer and into the fall, not the least of which is to live in this extraordinary place where we can count on each other to enjoy these successes together. Like the rest of our nation and planet, we have many challenges ahead, but we’ll also stand united to meet those.
Existing Industry Appreciation Golf Outing - May 7, 2021 CATTAILS AT MEADOWVIEW
Sullivan County was one of six across the state to be selected for TNECD’s Marketing Assistance Program. TNECD and the DesignSensory team were in town preparing for the Sullivan County Anthem video shoot in July.
Mastered in Tennessee
For a hundred years and four generations, L.C. King has mastered the art of cut & sew manufacturing in downtown Bristol, Tennessee.
Celebrating Economic Development Week May 9-15
IN THE NEWS
Domtar breaks ground on $300 million renovation
Domtar officially entered the containerboard market on Friday with a groundbreaking ceremony for its $300 million renovation and expansion of the Kingsport mill.
The event was held at Cloud Park with numerous state and local officials and several Domtar executives, including President and CEO John Williams.
“This is an exciting day for the Kingsport mill and for Domtar, and we are glad to celebrate it in the company of many of those who are making this transformation possible,” said Williams. “The kind of collaborative spirit we’ve seen among city, county and state partners here in Northeast Tennessee is what allows successful, long-term business partnerships to flourish.”
SWITCHING TO CONTAINERBOARD
In order to keep up with changes in the market, Domtar announced last fall it would be converting its Kingsport plant from manufacturing office paper to containerboard. The company has demolished many buildings and structures on its grounds and is poised to begin construction.
TVA, BTES break ground for $40M project near Bristol Business Park
Bristol Tennessee Essential Services broke ground Friday for a delivery point power substation along state Route 394 as part of Tennessee Valley Authority’s initiative to meet the Bristol area’s growing demand for power.
“Economic development and reliability are key focus areas for both BTES and TVA,” said TVA General Manager Amy Edge. “This delivery point project will provide much-needed additional capacity to serve the area along with reliability improvements for existing customers.”
The new South Bristol 161 kV substation, across from the Bristol Business Park, will add an additional connection between TVA’s 161 kV system and BTES’ distribution substations. BTES is primarily served by two 161 kV delivery points in Bluff City and Blountville.
“This site and this project are another demonstration of our commitment to the community and our dedication to providing reliable service to our customers,” said BTES Board of Directors Chairwoman Erin Downs.
Northeast State earns 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation
Northeast State has earned a 10-year reaffirmation of its accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The SACSCOC review examined the College’s finances, academic programs, facilities, human resources, student services, off-campus sites, teaching credentials, library resources, and other aspects of institutional data. Reviewers also conducted interviews with administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
Northeast State was in compliance with all standards with no recommendations.
Real estate firm to renovate, lease former Exide battery plant
A Wisconsin-based commercial real estate firm acquired the former battery plant on Exide Drive earlier this year with the intention of renovating and leasing it.
“Our bread and butter is repurposing and redeveloping older, legacy industrial (properties), including the facility in Bristol,” said Anthony Crivello, executive vice president for Phoenix Investors.
The plant formerly produced lead-acid batteries for automotive and other machinery for Exide Technologies from 1994 to 2013 before closing after gradual job layoffs. At one time, the plant was one of the Twin City’s largest employers with more than 800 workers.
AGC to sell North American architectural glass business to Cardinal Glass Industries
Officials from AGC Inc. announced the company will sell its North American architectural glass business to Cardinal Glass Industries, according to a June 15 AGC release. The companies reached an agreement on the sale today.
The $450 million transfer deal is subject to the approval of the related authorities, and the earliest closing would be July 2021, according to AGC.
The glass facilities subject to sale include AGC’s Greenland, Tennessee, float glass manufacturing
Socially speaking
Thank you Carolyn Ferrell - you will be missed!
NETWORKS has been fortunate to have Carolyn serve on its board of directors since 2014. During her time on the board, Carolyn has served as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice-Chair and Chairwoman. Carolyn was also awarded the TEDC Volunteer of the Year Award in 2019 for her service to the community which extends well beyond her contributions to NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership. From the entire NETWORKS Staff and fellow board members, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for her years of service to this great region. Carolyn is an exemplary community champion and are honored to have had her serve on our board.
Upcoming Meeting - Networks Sullivan Partnership Executive Committee Board Meeting
Northeast State College Library, Room L-226
Wednesday, Aug 11, 2021, 08:00 AM
Wayne G. Basler Library, Tennessee 75, Blountville, TN, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Michael Parker - Director of Economic Development
Email: mparker@networkstn.com
Website: linkedin.com/in/michael-parker-5179115a
Location: P.O. Box 747 Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: 423-279-7193
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NETWORKStn/
Twitter: @FIRST_to_WORK
Abby Mease - Workforce Development & Special Projects Coordinator
Email: amease@networkstn.com
Website: www.linkedin.com/in/abby-mease-1b69a98
Location: P.O. Box 747 Blountville, TN 37617
Phone: 423-279-7680
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NETWORKStn/
Twitter: @AbbyatNETWORKS
Ronnie Price - Economic Development Specialist
Email: rprice@networkstn.com
Phone: 423-279-7681