Report to Community Stakeholders - June 2008
Report to Community Stakeholders - June 2008
A Note from the CEO
We are rolling up our sleeves - not just because it is a hot summer but because there is a lot of work to do. The NETWORKS staff is involved in numerous development projects, as well as recruiting potential prospects. Some of these projects include working with Leclerc Foods, a Canadian-based food manufacturer, to ensure a smooth process in preparation for a fall opening, and overseeing construction of the infrastructure development for Gateway Commerce Park, Partnership Park I, and FedEx Ground and Freight. The installation of water and sewer lines in Partnership Park I should begin later this month. The NETWORKS staff will also be working closely with Mattern & Craig, Inc., the engineering firm selected to develop a master plan for Partnership Park II.
On June 15-17, I will join representatives from six southeastern states and seven Canadian provinces as we attend the inaugural Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces Alliance Conference (SEUS-CP) in Savannah, Ga. Hosted by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, the conference will emphasize industry topics with links between the southeastern United States and Canada, including aerospace, advanced manufacturing, energy, transportation and logistics, and tourism. The SEUS-CP is a historic alliance among the southeastern states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, and the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.
Business Expansions
Leclerc Foods Visits Sullivan County
On June 3, the NETWORKS staff met with Sullivan County's newest industry, Leclerc Foods, a baker of crackers, cookies and breakfast bars. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the incentives made available to the company by the Kingsport Economic Development Commission. Leclerc has purchased the former Cartamundi building in the Northeast Tennessee Business Park. Work has already begun on retrofitting the 88,500-square-foot building for the company's use.
Pictured L-R: Tommy Olterman, TVA; Jean-Marc Lemoine, vice president of Leclerc; Larry Estepp, First Tennessee Bank; Alicia Summers, NETVRIDA; Betty Martin, NETWORKS director of business development; Denis Leclerc, president of Leclerc USA; and Richard Venable, NETWORKS CEO
Loan for Apple International Approved
The Sullivan County Industrial Development Board granted approval for a $7,500 small business loan to Apple International, which is expanding its facility in the Bristol Industrial Park. The loan will assist the helicopter sales and service company in acquiring the additional land required to build a heliport.
Property Report
Partnership Park I:
Sullivan County has applied for State FastTrack grants totaling $750,000 to provide water and sewer to Partnership Park I. Eligibility for such grants through Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development require the location of a new industry (Bird-in-Hand). The new FedEx Freight facility, to be located on Muddy Creek Road, provided the catalyst for the grant application.
The total cost of the project is $1,442,509, with $490,000 contributed by the Blountville Utility District, $108,509 by the City of Johnson City and $94,000 by NETWORKS.
Partnership Park II:
After reviewing qualifications submitted by eight engineering firms, Mattern & Craig, Inc. was selected to prepare a master plan for Partnership Park II. Based locally in Kingsport, the firm has extensive experience with industrial park planning and development. In addition, the company prepared the plan for the recently completed Bristol Business Park located off Tennessee Highway 394.
The plan, which is expected to be completed in 45 days, will include preliminary designs for road, utility, rail drainage and lot layouts. It will also provide construction cost estimates.
Tri-County Industrial Park:
The sale of a 3.9-acre site on Rock Lane has been completed to Pete Schick, and construction of an 8,000-square-foot building on the property has been proposed. The building will house a shop and storage area for paving equipment.
Gateway Commerce Park:
The 83,109-square-foot FedEx Ground facility is nearing completion and is scheduled to open in July. The installation of a natural gas line to serve the FedEx site and the entire
park is under way.
Northeast Tennessee Business Park:
Construction is well under way on the new Charter Communications Tri-Cities Service Center. Kingsport-based GRC Construction is building the 27,500-square-foot facility on a five-acre tract in Northeast Tennessee Business Park.
Three-Star Program
Community Connection Visit:
On June 10, NETWORKS hosted a delegation from the Morristown Chamber of Commerce as part of Three-Star's Community Connection Program. The program provides an opportunity for community representatives to exchange ideas.
Nicole Austin addresses a delegation from the Morristown Chamber of Commerce. Seated L to R - David Purkey, Hamblen County mayor; Betty Martin, NETWORKS director of business development; Debra Williams, Morristown Chamber; Josh Cole, Morristown City intern; Jim Crumley, Morristown city manager; Thom Robinson, Morristown Chamber CEO; and Miles Burdine, Kingsport Chamber CEO
Conferences and Trade Shows
Destination Retail Initiative - ICSC
The NETWORKS staff has prepared a Retail Market Analysis brochure and destination retail marketing packet. The marketing materials were prepared and distributed at the International Council of Shopping Centers expo held in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 18-20. This marked the first time NETWORKS staff had attended a retail trade show. This initial effort focused on potential retail sites at Interstate 81 interchanges in Sullivan County.
2008 Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit
The NETWORKS staff attended and participated in the Tennessee Valley Corridor National Technology Summit in Huntsville, Ala., on May 28-29. The summit included discussions on the impact of Base Realignment and Closure on the Tennessee Valley, America's global competitiveness, Marshall Space Flight Center's increasing leadership role in NASA, nuclear power and the Tennessee Valley's role in securing U.S. energy independence, as well as the development of research parks.
In an address by the U.S. Army's highest ranking officer, four-star general and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey indicated that the Tennessee Valley region expects to gain at least 4,700 military jobs by the year 2011, in addition to a projected 10,000 other related high-paying jobs within the same timeframe.
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) keynotes the Tennessee Valley Corridor Summit's Opening Reception.
Meet the Leaders
NETWORKS Board Member Hoyt Denton
Hoyt Denton was born in Madisonville, Tenn. Denton has lived in Kingsport for more than 40 years and served on the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen from 2003-2006. Prior to serving on the BMA, Denton worked for Eastman Chemical Co. for 25 years in manufacturing and 10 years in the human resources areas of training and personnel. Denton is now self-employed and is involved with the management and acquisition of real estate in Kingsport and throughout the Tri-Cities region.
In addition to being a graduate of Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Denton holds bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He lives in Kingsport with his wife, Mary Margaret.
Denton's life experiences and education makes him a uniquely qualified contributing member of the NETWORKS board. He served on the Blue Ribbon Task Force, the committee that ultimately created NETWORKS - Sullivan Partnership, as well as other subcommittees of the partnership.
