Quarterly Newsletter

Community Stakeholders Report - Quarter One - 2023

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

Anchors Aweigh

There are plenty of signs that Northeast Tennessee’s ship is heading in the right direction and we have a strong wind behind us

A friend and colleague of mine references economic development results as a large ship on the ocean rather than a sports car on a winding road. The economic well-being of a community, region, or state doesn’t turn on a dime but takes a large sweeping arc to right itself. That movement can be frustrating at times and even difficult to even notice.

It can be especially hard to notice if your vantage point is far away from the ship. It can also go unrecognized by those on the ship with their heads down going about their work. We just all have to look up for a minute and there is no mistaking the positive movement.

In February, the Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com published its Winter 2023 Emerging Housing Index – a data-driven compilation of markets expected to see a rise in home values due to, among other things, a high quality of life and economic vitality. Both of our immediate MSAs – Kingsport-Bristol and Johnson City – were in the top 10, with Johnson City at five and Kingsport-Bristol at seven. Johnson City was one of only eight markets that were also on the Fall 2022 list as well as being singled out as a market drawing a large number of buyers who are new to the area.

Just a couple of weeks ago, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported job increases by MSA. Most would figure that Nashville led the way in Tennessee and they would be correct. It might surprise some that Kingsport-Bristol was tied with Chattanooga in the second spot; Nashville showed a 5.6 percent increase with Kingsport-Bristol coming in at 4.6 percent. Those were followed by Clarksville, Knoxville, and Johnson City (2.9 percent). These aren’t job announcements that are coming in the upcoming years or unemployment rates that reflect whether people who live in a given place are working or not; these are new jobs that are available within the MSAs.

Obviously, staying at or near the top of this list is possible only for the Nashville’s of the world, but to have both of our MSAs in the top five is a positive feat. And a sign that our ship is and has been turning in the right direction. This metric reflects the job announcements of the past five-seven years coming to fruition and the secondary jobs that followed as a result. It also reflects positive investment and policy-making by our local and state elected officials as well as outstanding work by our partners in chambers of commerce, tourism organizations, and workforce development and education.

This newsletter issue has stories that will continue to grow our jobs total, such as The Robinette Company’s investment of $10 million for an additional building at its Piney Flats campus that will enable the company to add 70 positions. There is information about our Career Pathways Portal, the latest Bristol Hiring Expo, the FundTN program launched by TNECD, and many other activities of our staff and partner organizations. All of this will help keep our collective ship moving in the right direction. I’m very glad that such is the case here. It’s good to notice such things and appreciate them every now and again… and to be diligent in staying on the proper course.

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The Robinette Company announces $10.3 million expansion in Sullivan County

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, and The Robinette Company officials announced today the company will invest $10.3 million to construct a new, 100,000-square-foot facility in Piney Flats.

With a headquarters in Bristol and manufacturing operations in both Bristol and Piney Flats, the new facility will be The Robinette Company’s fourth location. Through this expansion, the company will create 70 new production jobs in Sullivan County.

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TNECD press release

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Domtar's Kingsport Mill completes conversion to containerboard

The Kingsport Mill recently produced its first 100 percent recycled containerboard.

The milestone marks the culmination of a two-year, $350 million investment project to convert the former uncoated freesheet paper mill into Domtar’s first 100 percent recycled packaging facility.

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Steve Henry - EVP & CEO Domtar: "While I am so proud of our new Kingsport 100% recycled Containerboard facility, I am most proud of our safety record. Thank you to Charlie Floyd, James Chivers, and the whole Smoky team for their leadership and commitment to executing a safe project. 2.5 million safe hours do not happen by accident. It took the total commitment of all of Domtar team, suppliers, contractors, and other partners." Click for more

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Career Pathways Web Portal helps users navigate their future

The web portal is accessible to any employee, would-be employee, employer, student, site selector, and prospect for recruitment

The site features employers' and employees’ resources, from training pipelines to immediate job openings, and includes helpful links to community educators/organizations that will assist users on your path. The portal is designed to assist employers in connecting with or training their workforce and guide employees and citizens seeking employment opportunities so that they can find the resources required to improve in their current role or work towards a new career.

NeTnConnects.com

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Teacher Industry Day pairs educators with workforce community

Over 55 educators from the Bristol Tennessee School System and other local entities were paired with 18 industries on Wednesday, February 16 to learn the educational requirements for job positions in our community. The all-day event began with a breakfast where Bristol Tennessee Essential Services’ (BTES) CEO Dr. Mike Browder welcomed attendees in the Technical Education Complex at Northeast State Community College.

“Teacher Industry Day began as a way to promote economic development and career development in our community,” said Browder. “

Click for more

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Fund Tennessee Initiative Introduced across the State

The Fund Tennessee initiative is designed to support and expand an inclusive continuum of access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Tennessee. The statewide initiative will assist in addressing:

• Loan capital for entrepreneurs and small business owners
• Equity capital for entrepreneurs and small business owners
• Technical assistance to help entrepreneurs and small business owners become capital ready

Learn more

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Greater Sullivan reported 4.6% job growth

In a recent report the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that with a 4.6% increase, the Kingsport-Bristol Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the second-highest increase in added jobs for 2022 in Tennessee, going from 117,600 to 123,000 jobs.

The MSA is comprised of about 300,000 residents including Sullivan and Hawkins counties in Tennessee, plus the city of Bristol, and Washington and Scott counties in Virginia.

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Click for the full report

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Thank you and Congratulations! A new chapter - Bristol City Manager, Bill Sorah retires after long career in government

As Bill Sorah’s time as Bristol Tennessee city manager wound down, he described the final days of the job as “an emotional rollercoaster.”

“You look forward to the next chapter, but you also have a lot of apprehension about the next chapter,” Sorah said. “I’ve had 45 years of local government service, over 31 with the city of Bristol, Tennessee, and I’m not sure what it is going to feel like that first morning when I wake up and I don’t have anywhere to go.”

Friday was Sorah’s last day with the city, having served the past nine years as city manager. Before that, he was interim city manager twice and deputy city manager for 22 years.

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In his words - WJHL