A.Y. McDonald plans expansion in Bristol
After a lengthy site search, a Northeast Tennessee manufacturer facing relocation found a solution that allows it to maintain its workforce and continue its steady growth for future generations.
A.Y. McDonald recently purchased a 50-acre, pad-ready site in Bristol Business Park, owned and developed by BTES. The identity of the company was made public after the purchase of the property was approved at the January City of Bristol City Council meeting. NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership staff worked with the City of Bristol, BTES, TVA and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development for more than a year prior to the approval.
A new building and land were needed due to continued growth of the Carter County facility. The company has expanded three times from its original 50,000-square-foot plant to its current 200,000-square-foot facility.
Vulcan Thermal to Establish Manufacturing Operations in Hawkins County, investing $5 million and creating 30 jobs
Vulcan Thermal, a subsidiary of EHT, Inc., plans to establish operations at Phipps Bend Industrial Park in Surgoinsville, Tennessee. The $5 million project is expected to create approximately 30 jobs in Hawkins County.
The investment will include the construction of a new 15,000-square-foot manufacturing facility which will provide heat treating services to the metal industry.
“I am confident that Vulcan Thermal has chosen the best place to position for continued success. The cooperation from the state and local officials, as well as general support from the community, made the decision to invest in the Phipps Bend Industrial Park easy. We are excited to become one of the newest employers in Hawkins County and look forward to many years of growth,” Benjamin Vrobel, president, Vulcan Thermal said.
Bristol Essential Services awarded $2 million to grade Bristol Industrial Park
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced today 12 new Site Development Grant recipients.
The grants, totaling approximately $17.9 million, are designed to help communities invest in infrastructure and engineering improvements to land economic development projects and achieve Select Tennessee site certification.
“TNECD’s Site Development Grants play a critical role in preparing Tennessee communities for economic development growth, which directly supports our focus of ensuring every Tennessean has access to a high-quality job,” said Lee. “I thank the General Assembly for partnering with us to fund this important program.”
NETWORKS awarded $100,000 for due diligence studies at Bristol South Industrial Park
The Site Development Grant program, part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, works in tandem with TNECD’s Select Tennessee program. Since 2016, TNECD has awarded 174 Site Development Grants across the state, totaling nearly $85 million in assistance to local communities and generating 6,595 new jobs for Tennesseans.
“Having a shovel-ready industrial site is a key component many of our communities need to land business investment and spur job creation,” said McWhorter. “These grants serve as a steppingstone for Tennesseans to achieve a better quality of life, and I look forward to seeing the economic development growth that follows this latest round of funding.”
Virtual Reality Career Exploration with TransfrVR begins at Bristol City Schools
Thanks to the TVA Workforce Invest Grant awarded to NETWORKS and it's partners, Bristol City Schools began working with students and staff on how to use TransfrVR to virtually explore career pathways and learn skills. Thanks to our generous partners: TVA, BTES, and City of Bristol!
Kingsport and Bluff City Rescue Squads among recipients of grant funds
Several local Tennessee rescue squads and emergency services will receive $3 million through the Rescue Squad Grant Program.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) announced on Monday that 104 rescue squads across the state will receive the grants, 10 of which are in the Tri-Cities area.
The $3 million in grants will be distributed among the rescue squads across the state.
UT College of Dentistry breaks "ground" on new Kingsport clinic
The College of Dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science celebrated the start of construction Thursday on a new dental training clinic in Kingsport which is expected to open sometime in mid-2024.
When completed, the clinic, named the Kingsport Dental Clinic of the Appalachian Highlands, will serve as a rotation site for dental students and offer a full-time Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency.
Additionally, the clinic will host Dental Hygiene student rotations from East Tennessee State University.
Bluff City Diner wins Tri-Cities Best
After thousands of votes, the Tri-Cities has placed Bluff City Diner on the pedestal and given it the title of Tri-Cities Best Diner.
Owner Kristi Roberts told News Channel 11 the diner at 4267 Bluff City Highway is typically full of regulars who make their daily stop in at Bluff City Diner for fresh meals.
“Just hometown hospitality,” Roberts said. “Everybody comes and we usually have the same customers every day over and over. Occasionally, we get some new faces.”
Spring Bristol Cup Race at Bristol Motor Speedway was one to remember
Denny Hamlin wins NASCAR Cup at Bristol: A NASCAR short track record 54 lead changes, plenty of strategy and a good dose of wisdom and experience – as it turned out – produced one of the most talked-about NASCAR Cup Series races in recent memory at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on Sunday.
Tire management, tactics and frankly, the right positive mindset resulted in one of the most raved-about races of the young season.
In the end, it was a trio of crafty veterans leading the way. Denny Hamlin out-paced his Joe Gibbs Racing championship teammate Martin Truex Jr. and 2012 series champion, RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowski across the line in a race that demanded heads-up thinking on track and atop the pit box – every lap, all afternoon on the famed half-mile high-banks.
