business images northeast tennessee valley region 2011

Broad Vision Region sets sights on

fiber optic development

Roads Less TraveledScenic trails offer adventure, escape

Sunny OutlookValley builds reputation for innovation

What’s Online Take a stroll through historic Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.

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i m a g e S N e T N V a L L e y . c O m 3

Northeast Tennessee... where bright futures begin.

Johnson City Power Board2600 Boones Creek Rd.

Johnson City, TN 37615

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WorkstyleBroad Vision 16Region sets sights on fiber optic development

Fast Track to growth 20Valley builds reputation for innovation

Roads Less Traveled 38Scenic trails offer adventure, escape

insightOverview 7

Business almanac 8

Business climate 12

energy/Technology 24

Transportation 28

education 32

health 36

economic profile 43

Through the Lens 44

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Broad Vision Region sets sights on

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Roads Less TraveledScenic trails offeradventure, escape

Sunny OutlookValley builds reputation for innovation

What’s Online Take a stroll through historicJonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town.

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ProjEct managEr emily mcmackincontEnt dirEctor liSa battleSProofrEading managEr RaVen pettycontEnt coordinator JeSSica walkeRStaff WritEr keVin litwincoPy Editor Jill wyattcontributing WritErS melanie hill, anita wadhwani, betSy williamSmEdia tEchnology dirEctor chRiStina caRdenSEnior graPhic dESignErS lauRa gallagheR, JeSSica manneR, Janine maRyland, kRiS Sexton, Vikki williamSgraPhic dESignEr Rachael geRRingeRmEdia tEchnology analyStS chandRa bRadShaw, lance conzett, michele niccoRe, maRcuS SnydeRPhotograPhy dirEctor JeFFRey S. ottoSEnior PhotograPhErS JeFF adkinS, bRian mccoRdStaff PhotograPhErS todd bennett, antony boShieRWEb contEnt managEr John hoodWEb ProjEct managEr noy FongnalyWEb dESign dirEctor FRanco ScaRamuzzaWEb dESignEr ii RichaRd SteVenSWEb dEvEloPEr i yamel hallWEb account managEr lauRen eubankad Production managEr katie middendoRFad traffic aSSiStantS kRyStin lemmon, patRicia moiSani.t. dirEctor yancey bondi.t. SuPPort tEchnician bRyan FoRieStSEnior accountant liSa owenSaccountS PayablE coordinator maRia mcFaRlandaccountS rEcEivablE coordinator diana guzmanofficE managEr/accountS rEcEivablE coordinator Shelly milleRSEnior intEgratEd mEdia managEr deShaun goodRichSalES SuPPort managEr cindy hallcolor imaging tEchnician aliSon hunteR

chairman gReg thuRmanPrESidEnt/PubliShEr bob SchwaRtzmanExEcutivE vicE PrESidEnt Ray langenSEnior v.P./SalES todd potteR, caRla thuRmanSEnior v.P./oPErationS caSey heSteRSEnior v.P./cliEnt dEvEloPmEnt JeFF heeFneRSEnior v.P./buSinESS dEvEloPmEnt Scott templetonv.P./ExtErnal communicationS teRee caRutheRSv.P./cuStom PubliShing kim holmbeRgv.P./viSual contEnt maRk FoReSteRv.P./contEnt oPErationS nataSha loRenSv.P./SalES chaRleS Fitzgibbon, heRb haRpeR, JaRek SwekoSkycontrollEr chRiS dudleycontEnt dirEctor/travEl PublicationS SuSan chappellcontEnt dirEctor/buSinESS PublicationS bill mcmeekinmarkEting crEativE dirEctor keith haRRiSdiStribution dirEctor gaRy SmithExEcutivE SEcrEtary kRiSty duncanhuman rESourcES managEr peggy blakerEcEPtioniSt 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 [email protected].

FOR mORe iNFORmaTiON, cONTacT:northeast tennessee Valley Regional industrial development association2425 hwy. 75, bldg. 102 ne State technical community college blountville, tn 37617phone: (423) 323-1203 • Fax: (423) 323-4016 netvaly.org

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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.

Accessible: • Ideal location along Interstates 40 & 81 and four U.S. highways

• 40 minutes from Knoxville’s 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 2,000 students

• Short drive from the University of Tennessee, two community colleges and a regional technology center

AffoRdAble: • Low-cost state and local tax environment with incentive and financing programs available

• Right-to-work environment offering affordable labor rates for skilled employees

• Central Southeastern location providing transportation cost advantages AvAilAble: • Diverse inventory of readily available commercial and industrial buildings and sites

• Professional, experienced staff ready to your business needs

to leARn moRe, visit us online At: www.selectjefferson.com

Jefferson county, tennessee is:

To learn more about the opportunities that await your business, contact:

Jefferson County Chamber of CommerceP.O. Box 890

Dandridge, TN 37725-0890865-397-9642

[email protected]

www.selectjefferson.com



Overview

Ten Reasons to do Business in the Northeast Tennessee Valley Region1. Workforce. the region has more than 300,000 employees with manufacturing backgrounds and a strong work ethic in right-to-work states.

2. Training. Site selection consultants rank tennessee’s Fasttrack Job training as among the 10 best nationally in training and effectiveness.

3. utility costs. tennessee Valley authority utility companies offer reliable power and rates that are among the nation’s lowest.

4. Location and Transportation. our strategic location offers one-day truck access to 76 percent of the nation’s 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, charter and air

freight service at tri-cities airport.

5. Quality of Life. the region offers opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities in beautiful surroundings; quality education; affordable housing and a 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.

8. cost of doing Business. costs are among the nation’s lowest, thanks to tax credits based on investment 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. universities, colleges, technical colleges and location in the tennessee technology corridor give companies a competitive advantage.

10. diversified economy. the economy includes medical companies, educational institutions, manufacturers, corporate headquarters and distribution centers.

For more information, contact:

Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional industrial development association 2425 hwy. 75, p.O. Box 1022 Blountville, TN 37617 phone: (423) 323-1203 Fax: (423) 323-4016 www.netvaly.org

Jefferson City

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Abingdon

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Rogersville

Mount Carmel

Big Stone Gap

Norton

Tazewell

Jonesborough

Mountain City

Gate City

Lebanon

Dandridge

MaynardvilleRutledge

Sneedville

Newland

Jonesville

Spruce Pine

Coeburn

Glade Spring

Beech Mountain

Cumberland Gap

Duffield

BlountvilleArthur

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Jefferson City

AbingdonEmory

Erwin

RogersvilleTazewell

Jonesborough

Mountain City

Gate City

Dandridge

Sneedville

Newland

Jonesville

Pennington Gap

Beech Mountain

Duffield

BlountvilleArthur

Johnson CityMorristown

Greeneville

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i m a g e S N e T N V a L L e y . c O m 9 8 N O R T h e a S T T e N N e S S e e V a L L e y R e g i O N

eNTeRTaiNmeNT FOR aLL SeaSONSwhether you’re a broadway musical fan or enjoy quirky comedies, you’re sure to be entertained by the performances of the encore theatrical company at walters State community college in morristown. with a mission of cultivating and promoting performance arts in the lakeway area, the company offers a diverse slate of live performances, plays, musicals and educational programs for every season.

STaR-STudded TOuRare you a fan of country or bluegrass music? trace the rich appalachian roots of both genres with a drive down Virginia’s crooked Road heritage music trail, a 300-mile roadway that encompasses country- and bluegrass-related venues across 10 counties. don’t miss the birthplace of country music alliance museum in bristol, Va., an affiliate of the Smithsonian institution that tells the story of the region’s role in the birth and development of country music. plans are in the works for a new $9 million facility that will trace the evolution of the genre through audio-visual experiences and include space for live performances, a lecture and film series, and educational programs for all ages. Visit the www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org for details on local jam sessions that you can drop by during your visit. Find maps and information on other landmarks along the trail at www.thecrookedroad.org.

TaSTe OF The appaLachiaNSare you a wine connoisseur? don’t miss a trip to countryside Vineyards and winery in blountville. nestled in the foothills of the appalachians off interstate 81, the family-owned and operated winery produces red, white and fruit wines that have garnered state and national awards, and offers vineyard tours and tastings. From dry to sweet, visitors can sample all varieties – and buy plenty of bottles to take home. For more information, visit www.cvwineryandsupply.com.


100 yeaRS OF gOOdNeSSwhen andrew Jackson bush founded bush brothers & company with his sons in 1908, he dreamed of building a community-centered cannery business that would remain in his family for years to come. nearly a century later, his vision has been realized. headquarted in knoxville, bush brothers has evolved into an international brand that still thrives near the chestnut hill location where it started. to celebrate its Jefferson county roots, the company opened the bush beans Visitor center in 2010, drawing fans from across the country. housed in the building where a.J. bush started his first company – a general store where residents bartered goods that couldn’t be produced locally – the center includes a museum tracing the history of the family and company, memorabilia such as tools from bush’s original canning process, interactive bean-themed exhibits, and a theater featuring Jay bush, a.J.’s grandson, and his golden retriever, duke, on the big screen. Visitors can also get a sneak peek at what goes into making the country’s top baked bean brand, visit a replica of bush’s original general store and sample homemade dishes, Southern specialties and bean desserts.

mOTOR madNeSScalling all motorheads! get your classic car fix each may when borla performance industries in Johnson city and the carter county car club team up for the “Spring Fling” auto Fest. the annual show draws thousands of classic car enthusiasts from across the country, and even gets its own cameo on eSpn. along with hosting the event, borla opens its shop doors so visitors can see the research and development work it has going on and provides live music and free installation for anyone who purchases an exhaust system during the event. alex borla, company founder and chief executive officer, says hosting the show gives the company a chance to reach out to the community and celebrate the classic car culture. any kind of vehicle can be displayed at the event. Registration is $25, and more than 200 awards are presented. get more details at www.borla.com.

Almanac


NaTuRe’S NaTiONaL TReaSuReStourists are rediscovering national parks, and the northeast tennessee Valley is home to two of the best. the cumberland gap national park, which passes through claiborne county, features unique caves, scenic vistas, beautiful waterfalls, lush forests, and the opportunity to catch an up-close glimpse of diverse plant and animal species. in Jefferson, hamblen and greene counties, the great Smoky mountains national park – america’s most visited national park – offers majestic views of the southern appalachian mountains, unparalleled varieties of plant and animal life, and hundreds of miles of trails.


RidiNg The RapidSthe northeast tennessee Valley teems with waterways perfect for canoeing, kayaking and whitewater rafting. one of the best and most challenging is the nolichucky River. the scenic river, which flows through east tennessee in unicoi county and western north carolina, offers a variety of rapids that cut their way through the deepest gorge in the eastern united States. to plan a rafting adventure, visit www.noc.com/whitewater-rafting/nolichucky-river.

geTTiNg cLOSe TO cROcKeTTthe northeast tennessee Valley is known as home to many of america’s first frontiersmen, including the famous davy crockett. Visitors can tour the boyhood home of crockett, who grew up in morristown, at crockett tavern museum, located off u.S. highway 25e. the museum features a 1790s reconstruction of the original tavern built by crockett’s father and a replica of crockett’s first gun. a historic walking tour in dandridge, where crockett lived part of his adult life, takes visitors past his old haunts and treats them to a one-man show about the “king of the wild Frontier.” Visit www.discoveret.org/crockett to plan a trip tracing crockett’s footsteps.


Business Climate

Ripe for BusinessNortheast Tennessee Valley strategically positioned for growth

What’s Online For more about the advantages of doing business in the region, go to imagesnetnvalley.com.


Story by Betsy Williams

With its well-educated and trained workforce, low business and utility costs

and an abundance of shovel-ready sites, the 15-county Northeast Tennessee Valley region offers a host of advantages for expanding and relocating businesses.

“The Northeast Tennessee Valley provides a really welcoming business climate, with 15 counties and their respective communities that operate as a true regional partnership,” says Alicia Summers, executive director of the Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional Industrial Development Association (NETVRIDA). “This gives us the ability to collectively market our superior assets, including skilled labor, diverse education offerings, transportation arteries, data communications connectivity and a hospitable quality of life.”

The region boasts a multifaceted economy that includes medical technologies, automotive suppliers, corporate headquarters, distribution facilities and a range of manufacturers.

“We are a close-knit group who work hard to make jobs happen here,”

says Tommy Olterman, project manager for Tennessee Valley Authority Economic Development. “Our location to the major markets makes us very attractive to companies to locate here and to expand.”

educaTiON aSSeTSOne such company is Japanese

automotive bearing manufacturer Koyo. The company first located in Washington County in 2006, investing $27 million in a facility that produces tapered roller bearings used in vehicle axle and transmission systems. In November 2010, Koyo broke ground on a $30 million, 61,000-square-foot expansion projected for completion in 2011. The company plans to increase its local workforce from 60 to 125 employees over the next three years.

“The educational programs we have were key to Koyo’s decision to locate and expand here,” says P.C. Snapp, executive director of Washington County’s economic development board, noting that programs were tailored to meet the needs of the company and the

14 N O R T h e a S T T e N N e S S e e V a L L e y R e g i O N i m a g e S N e T N V a L L e y . c O m 15

Japanese families that located there.

ideaL FOR expaNSiONKoyo is not the only company

that has found recent success in its Northeast Tennessee Valley location. Plastics manufacturer Double H Plastics, which expanded its Pennsylvania- and Indiana-based operations to Morristown in 2008, and employs 100, thrives in the region. The GE plant in Morristown, which produces breaker boxes for

commercial buildings, also recently expanded its operations.

The Bloomington, Minn.-based Donaldson Company, a worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts for industrial and engine markets, announced plans to relocate three of its production lines from an out-of-state facility and expand its current facility in Greene County, investing $2 million. The expansion will create 85 jobs

within the next two years.Having a regional industrial

association that works collectively to market community assets means that communities can take advantage of targeted advertising opportunities, exhibiting at national and international trade shows and putting the power of an unmatched utility – TVA – behind its efforts with site-location consultants and initiatives such as this year’s effort


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

www.sleepinn.com/hotel/tn288

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

to target the suppliers and multipliers in the Toronto market, says NETVRIDA’s Summers.

“It all adds up to a global presence, resulting in jobs and investment for our region,” she says. “This region has a labor force of more than 300,000 skilled workers, meaningful incentives, a strategic transportation network and a can-do attitude that have created a strong and growing economy.”



Broad VisionNortheast Tennessee Valley sets its sights on fiber-optic developments

Story by Betsy Williams

T he Northeast Tennessee Valley is becoming a magnet for data center sites that bring high-paying jobs.

With a robust, reliable fiber-optic network and high-speed broadband connectivity in communities across its three states, the region is home to the nation’s first Tier III certified commercial data storage facility. Three communities – Bristol, Tenn., Morristown, Tenn., and Duffield, Va. – are on the list of 15 that have been pre-qualified as primary data center sites by the Tennessee Valley Authority, a designation based on accessibility, telecommunications infrastructure, and electric power availability and reliability.

“The Northeast Tennessee Valley is a prime location, not for any one particular reason, but due to the synergies of our regional assets,” says Lewis Cox, president of the Northeast Tennessee Technology Council and IT planning coordinator for Mountain States Health Alliance.

“Our stable geology and favorable geography place us at low risk, we have several institutions of higher learning located within our region, and our government support is excellent at local, state and national levels.”

ViRTuaL eFFicieNcyAccording to Cox, solid telecommunications

infrastructure and the TVA power system with its low rates and excellent reliability have created a stable, dependable environment for entities such as the Mountain States Health Alliance, a 14-hospital health system with locations in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

“We take advantage of the excellent telecommunications network that exists in our region, especially in the areas of electronic records exchange and video-conferencing,” Cox says of the Johnson City data center. “This reduces

a clinician uses medical technology at Johnson city medical center, part of the 14-hospital mountain States health alliance system.

16 N O R T h e a S T T e N N e S S e e V a L L e y R e g i O N i m a g e S N e T N V a L L e y . c O m 17 i m a g e S N e T N V a L L e y . c O m 17

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Left to right: onepartner provides co-location data storage for businesses in duffield, Va.; advanced call center technologies, a national consumer finance and mortgage servicing company, expanded operations, adding 300 jobs to its facility in Johnson city.


travel between locations, increasing efficiency, and allows our health-care providers to more effectively collaborate.”

ReLiaBLe daTa STORageOnePartner, which provides co-location data storage for

businesses, has run an advanced technology and applications center in Duffield, Va., since 2008. Its Tier III certification provides uninterrupted computing infrastructure.

“In this region, the economic development entities from multiple counties join efforts,” says OnePartner Director Tom Deaderick, who will assume the presidency of the Southwestern Virginia Technology Council this year. “The Virginia Tobacco Commission has invested $60 million in fiber and telecommunications infrastructure in this area. The location we selected was the center point of that infrastructure in southwest Virginia. It is really great that Duffield has been able to lead the way nationally.”

Data storage reliability is paramount in the development and success of such centers, and Deaderick says the region has lived up to its reputation as a premier location. “We have a 100 percent up-time performance record since October 2008,” Deaderick says of OnePartner.

“It’s an assurance to the customer that really trumps the usual service level agreements in the marketplace.”

OnePartner’s presence and success have helped the region in its ability to recruit new companies that require data storage, Deaderick says, and he welcomes the location of other data centers within the region.

The labor force has been excellent, he says, with zero turnover among the company’s 14 employees since it launched operations in Duffield.

NeW JOBS aNd iNVeSTmeNTTelecommunication advances have also led to new

jobs and investment. Advanced Call Center Technologies, a national consumer finance and mortgage servicing company, expanded its Johnson City operations and added 300 jobs.

Communities like Morristown are doing their part to prepare the region to be competitive, providing fiber-optic service to all residential and industrial districts. Technology centers are sprouting up at colleges and universities throughout the region to build a solid workforce for this emerging industry.

20 N O R T h e a S T T e N N e S S e e V a L L e y R e g i O N

Fast Track to growthRegion builds reputation for innovation

Story by Kevin Litwin • photography by Todd Bennett

congratulations are in order.A number of companies in the

Northeast Tennessee Valley are experiencing success thanks to recent growth or rapid expansion. Many of the companies – from entrepreneurial startups to international corporations – are f lourishing and growing fast because they embrace innovation.

One such company is wireless handset remanufacturer Touchstone Wireless, which formed in Bristol in 2005 as a merger of two local startups, both of which started out of garages. Touchstone has grown to 700 employees and occupies 102,000 square feet of manufacturing space. It was recently acquired by Fortune 500 wireless support and distribution

company Brightpoint, whose clientele includes major wireless companies such as T-Mobile. The Brightpoint acquisition could bring even more jobs to the region.

“The combination of our companies provides Touchstone with access to greater resources, from logistics and distribution to repair and recycling,” Touchstone Wireless chairman and co-founder Allen Hurley says. Touchstone is one of the top employers in Bristol, and Hurley says the company prides itself on developing green technology.

ThiS deaL iS eLecTRicAnother Northeast Tennessee

Valley innovation success story

is Exide Technologies, which also has a manufacturing base in Bristol and recently contracted with Chrysler to begin shipping advanced electric-car batteries to the automaker beginning in July 2011.

ReVVed aNd ReadyIn Johnson City, a family-owned

metal fabrication manufacturer, JD Squared, relocated from Florida two years ago. The company utilizes skilled machinists to create high-tech automotive parts for the NASCAR racing industry. Because of their business ties to NASCAR, owners Bob and Kim Hughes point out that having their company in Johnson City is ideal because of its close proximity

employees at Jd Squared create high-tech automotive parts for the naScaR racing industry.

an employee uses a laser to cut a piece of metal at johnson city-based jd Squared, a metal fabrication manufacturer that relocated from florida two years ago.



to Bristol Motor Speedway.

heaVy dOSe OF FiBeRMeanwhile, Bristol Tennessee

Essential Services is an electric, telephone, Internet and cable provider that helps nurture others in the area by recruiting new high-tech industries and helping support businesses that have recently relocated or expanded. BTES began an aggressive marketing campaign in January 2011 to recruit more businesses to Bristol.

Mike Browder, BTES chief executive officer, says the high-speed Internet technology company has started to heavily promote Bristol through national trade publications, trade shows, media conferences and technology-based websites.

“We’re doing this with a big splash,” Browder says. “We’re going to show everybody who we are and what we look like. Bristol is a really high-tech community with full fiber access and an extensive electricity system. We need to start letting that be known.”

www.eastman.com


in the greenNortheast Tennessee companies save money by going green

Energy/Technology


i n just under a year, Morristown car parts maker Mahle Industries reduced its energy bill by

a staggering $324,000.The facility’s extreme energy

makeover served as the first test of a Tennessee Valley Authority pilot program that creates partnerships between local utility companies, the Department of Energy, TVA officials and industrial customers to identify ways to reduce energy consumption and save companies money.

But Mahle is far from being the only energy-efficient standout among the industrial, commercial and small businesses operating throughout the 15-county Northeast Tennessee Valley region.

eNeRgy paRTNeRShipS BeNeFiT NORTheaST TeNNeSSee

The current economic environment, in which cost reductions are a key business strategy, Northeast Tennessee companies – from bike shops to factories – increasingly are experimenting with a variety

Story by Anita Wadhwani


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of energy-efficient strategies in their facilities and cutting costs in the process.

Local incentives in the form of grants and energy rebates have sweetened the deal, and TVA and other energy experts have helped introduce companies to available national grants as well.

In the case of Mahle, the first step in their partnership was a 2009 energy audit of its production facilities. Working with TVA assessors and company staff, the audit identified more than 14 energy reduction steps, Dennis McCallister, technical/support services director for Mahle Industries, says.

Some changes cost nothing to implement. The audit found a secondary furnace constantly running in the company’s foundry could simply be turned off without disrupting production, McCallister says. Others required significant financial investments by the company – replacing all of the plant’s lighting fixtures, for example.

A $50,000 Department of Energy grant helped fund the project.

“Our company has had an energy team in place for 10 years, and we’re always looking for ways to trim our energy costs,’’ McCallister says. “This program really got us moving ahead.’’

cOmpaNieS TeST aLTeRNaTiVe eNeRgy

Mahle’s success story has prompted the Tennessee Valley Authority to begin designing a broader, regional industrial energy program that it plans to have in place by the end of 2011. In the meantime, companies throughout the 15-county Northeast Tennessee Valley region are experimenting with energy-efficient

programs in their facilities.Businesses in Carter, Claiborne,

Greene, Hamblen and Washington counties have converted to solar power, thanks to a $9 million Tennessee Solar Institute program that assists businesses in purchasing and installing small-scale photovoltaic solar systems.

A small veterinary clinic in Elizabethton became the unlikely

site of the largest rooftop solar array in the Tri-Cities area in November 2010 through its participation in the solar program. The Elizabethton Veterinary Clinic’s solar installation keeps an estimated 10.8 tons of carbon dioxide emissions out of the environment each year. And it’s a significant operating-cost savings for the two partners who operate the 40-year-old animal practice.

clockwise from top left: the elizabethton Veterinary clinic in carter county, tennessee, has the largest rooftop solar array in the tri-cities; using solar energy has reduced the clinic’s operating costs; tVa has developed a program to reduce energy consumption and save companies money.

www.accessbristolva.com

tri-cities regional airport is centrally located between the region’s three major cities: kingsport, bristol and johnson city.

What’s Online Find more about Northeast Tennessee Valley’s transportation network at imagesnetnvalley.com.



Transportation

Valley has excellent infrastructure system in place

h ome Shopping Network runs a 1.2-million-square-foot shipping center out of Piney Flats in

Sullivan County, largely because of the excellent transportation options in the Northeast Tennessee Valley.

Meanwhile, Walmart operates a 1-million-square-foot distribution center in Greene County, and officials with the huge retailer often point to the region’s transportation system as a key factor in their local success.

The Northeast Tennessee Valley has become a business center for many trucking firms and companies that bring in raw materials or ship out products. The region’s strategic location offers many advantages, including one-day access to 76 percent of the nation’s population via three major interstates and six U.S. highways.

Those three interstates – I-26, I-40 and I-81 – cross through the Valley, while I-75 and I-77 are in close proximity. All these interstates are especially important to the more than 60 transportation-based

distribution dream

Story by Kevin Litwin

companies located in the region.

aiRpORT SeRVeS NORTheaST TeNNeSSee VaLLey

The Valley also provides residents with convenient air travel, with Tri-Cities Regional Airport centrally located between the cities of Kingsport, Bristol and Johnson City.

“We serve a 60-mile radius from the

airport that reaches into northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia, parts of western North Carolina and parts of Kentucky,” says Melissa Thomas, director of marketing and air service development at Tri-Cities Regional Airport. “We are located in Blountville about 3 miles off I-81 and are close to I-26 as well, so we are an excellent vantage point for

interstates 26, 40 and 81 cross through the northeast tennessee Valley. S

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Northeast Tennessee Valley’s Transportation Network

motorist and trucking access.”Tri-Cities provides about 18

outbound passenger f lights each day on Delta Airlines, US Airways, American Airlines and Allegiant Air.

“Delta serves Detroit and Atlanta with nine daily f lights, while US Airways has seven f lights to Charlotte, and American serves Chicago with two daily departures,” Thomas says. “Allegiant Air offers low-fare service to Florida markets such as Orlando and Tampa, with four passenger f lights each week.”

TRi-ciTieS aiRpORT upgRadeSTri-Cities Regional also has a

Foreign Trade Zone that allows cargo carriers to bring in goods tax- and duty-free, and eight hangars on-site that can house a wide range of private aircraft and corporate jets.

“We’ve also been making a lot of improvements to the south side of our airfield, specifically to attract companies that might want to have their operations on the airport grounds,” Thomas says. “There is a business/industrial park in place, and we have a nice building

on-site. The business park is perfect for companies that are looking to relocate to the Southeast and might need access to an airstrip. That type of property is difficult to come by.”

RaiL SeRVeS NORTheaST TeNNeSSee VaLLey

Meanwhile, the Northeast Tennessee Valley is also served by two major railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern, which provide Tier I rail access to the strategic ports of Norfolk, Va., and Charleston, S.C.

Highways: I-40, I-26, I-81; six U.S. highways; numerous state highways and county roads

• Close proximity to I-75 and I-77• Within a day’s drive to more than

70 percent of the U.S. population • 55 trucking and freight companies

serve the region

Air: Tri-Cities Regional Airport

• Offers 40 flights a day, including nonstop service to six hubs: Atlanta, Memphis, Orlando, Charlotte, Cincinnati and Detroit

• Has a primary runway of 8,000 feet• Includes 13,000-square-foot

cargo facility • Provides full customs services

Rail: Norfolk Southern and CSX

• Provide access to the Port of Norfolk and the Port of Charleston

• Include north-south and east-west routes

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Education

Innovation grant will groom Northeast Tennessee Valley students for top careers

F amed technology entrepreneur Bill Gates knows about schools in the Northeast Tennessee Valley.

The billionaire’s Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was one of the recent contributors to a $21 million Investing in Innovation (i3) grant approved for the Northeast Tennessee College and Career Ready Consortium. The consortium was organized by the Greeneville-based Niswonger Foundation, which is partnering with 15 local education agencies to earmark the money for advanced academic initiatives at 29 high schools in 11 counties throughout the Valley.

A primary goal of the grant is to better prepare students to pursue top careers, so they can contribute to the economic growth of Tennessee.

“The Niswonger Foundation was founded 10 years ago by Scott Niswonger (pronounced NICE-wonger), a successful area businessman who believes that communities build their economic growth through a strong education system,” says Linda Irwin, director of school partnerships for the Niswonger Foundation. “To secure the $21 million federal i3 grant for local schools, we had to provide a

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Students are hard at work in a computer lab at unicoi county middle School, which was constructed in august 2010 with a focus on innovative technology and energy efficiency.


Northeast Tennessee Valley Schools Awarded Investing in Innovation Grants

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Greeneville City Schools

Elizabethton City Schools

Kingsport City Schools

Bristol City Schools

Johnson City Schools

Carter County Schools

Hamblen County Schools

Hancock County Schools

Johnson County Schools

Hawkins County Schools

Cocke County Schools

Greene County Schools

Sullivan County Schools

Unicoi County Schools

Washington County Schools

School Systems Receiving Investing in Innovation (I-3) Grants

percentage of matching private funds. One of the contributors was the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which believed in what we are doing. It’s nice to mention Bill Gates’ name when you’re trying to raise money for education.”

gReeNeViLLe high STudeNTS LeaRN chiNeSe

The $21 million will be distributed over five years for initiatives such as online learning, Advanced Placement and dual enrollment opportunities, career and college counseling, and distance learning technology.

“One of the distance learning classes currently taking place is a Chinese language course being taught at Greeneville High School, and through real-time distance

learning it is offered to three other high schools in the region,” Irwin says.

SchOLaRShipS a SmaRT iNVeSTmeNT

Some of the i3 grant money is also going toward scholarships for top students in the Northeast Tennessee Valley.

“It’s a very selective process – we recently chose only 10 students from a batch of 130 nominations we received,” Irwin says. “A key stipulation to receiving a scholarship is that each student must commit to returning to Tennessee after his or her college graduation to become a community leader in this state. We want the graduates to become important factors in the overall workforce and economy of Tennessee.”

NeW uNicOi middLe SchOOL TOpS iN Tech

Another piece of recent good news on the Valley education front was the opening of a new Unicoi County Middle School in August 2010. The school was constructed with a focus on energy-efficient features and innovative technology, which includes classrooms equipped with advanced sound systems connected to interactive touch-enabled smart boards.

Students in some classrooms also have access to iPads, and the school is purchasing more to use as a teaching tool for raising test scores.

“Providing students with more opportunities to use technology is something that our teachers are excited about,” says John English, principal of Unicoi County Middle School.


green means goWAlTeRS STATe DebUTS CleAN eNeRGy TeCH PROGRAM

walters State community college in morristown has been given the green light to offer a clean energy technology program that trains students for careers in renewable energy and clean technology.

clean energy is a fast-emerging industry in the northeast tennessee Valley region.

“green/clean energy is a sector where good, high-paying jobs are becoming abundant, and walters State wants to be on board,” says nancy brown, dean of workforce development at walters State community college. “we applied to the tennessee department of labor and workforce development, and they issued us a $953,000 grant to develop a clean energy tech program.”

cLaSSeS aRe Readybrown says much of the

grant money has gone toward purchasing advanced training equipment, as well as providing payroll for industry specialists who are teaching the courses.

“the tennessee board of Regents has developed the curriculum, and students can now earn an associate of applied science degree in clean energy technology,” she says. “walters State wants to lead this teaching

program and is collaborating with a number of energy industries, including working with the tennessee Solar institute so we stay at the forefront of everything.”

OTheR hOT caReeRSbrown adds that besides clean

energy technology, wScc is working with the national association of workforce boards to bring other

hot career training programs to the college.

“walters State serves 10 counties, and many of our students live in rural areas,” she says. “we have a strong center for workforce education on campus, and we want to train students in careers that are innovative and rewarding both today and for years to come.”

– Kevin Litwin

www.greenecountypartnership.com


Health

State-of-the-art medical services, facilities abound in the Valley

c utting-edge technology and nationally ranked hospitals make the Northeast Tennessee Valley

region a true health-care destination. From two major medical providers with facilities throughout the region to progressive community hospitals, residents in the Valley don’t have to go far for convenient care. Here’s a look at the region’s top health-care providers.

mOuNTaiN STaTeS heaLTh aLLiaNce

Mountain States Health Alliance operates 14 hospitals throughout Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. Its f lagship facility, Johnson City Medical Center, is a comprehensive, acute-care teaching hospital affiliated with East Tennessee State University. Named a Top 100 Heart Hospital by Solucient, which produces a national benchmark for success study, JCMC offers an array of services, including rehabilitation, wound care, a regional cancer center and Mountain States Cardiovascular Health. MSHA also has introduced interventional cardiology services at its Indian Path Medical Center in Kingsport.

In 2010, MSHA unveiled the HeartCoach Mobile Screening Unit, a 40-foot-long RV equipped to provide screenings to residents in rural areas. Test results are reviewed on the spot with a health educator.

“The new age of health care is preventive medicine, and that is what the HeartCoach is all about,” says Cindy Salyer, MSHA vice president

Well Treated

Story by Melanie Hill

holston Valley medical center in kingsport was recently named one of america’s 50 best hospitals for heart care.

haven for healing FRANklIN WOODS OPeNS TeNNeSSee’S FIRST GReeN HOSPITAl

Franklin woods community hospital didn’t have a ribbon-cutting ceremony when it opened its new building in June 2010. it held a vine-cutting ceremony.

the medical center in Johnson city became the first “green” hospital in tennessee, having been granted a silver certification for leadership in energy and environmental design by the u.S. green building council.

“most health-care facilities in the country have received general leed certification, but for Franklin woods we aimed higher and expected to receive at least a silver certification,” says david nicely, Franklin woods community hospital ceo and a vice president with mountain States health alliance, the hospital’s parent company.

aah, LiKe a Spanicely says Franklin woods almost has a spa-like feel

with water features, gardens, wood beams, glass walls, indoor trees and plenty of green space and natural light. the floors are made of cork instead of ceramic tile or

wood, and the back of the hospital is a dense forest that will remain untouched.

a big reason why hospital officials decided to go “green” is because studies show that aesthetic and environmental features will benefit both patients and staff, and boost their spirits as they work and heal. other amenities at the hospital include walking trails and healing gardens filled with benches, picnic tables and water fountains.

“this hospital is putting a strong emphasis on wellness and energy efficiency,” nicely says.

paTieNTS aLL OVeR The VaLLeythe 240,000-square-foot hospital was constructed

on a 25-acre lot adjacent to the wellness center inside med tech park. Franklin woods community hospital is a not-for-profit medical facility that has 80 beds and offers a full array of primary care and some specialty services to patients throughout the northeast tennessee Valley.

– Kevin Litwin


for cardiovascular services. MSHA’s Sycamore Shoals Hospital

in Elizabethton is a full-service hospital housing the Women’s Pavilion – a modern facility for childbirth and treatment of infertility, incontinence, breast health and more.

WeLLmONT heaLTh SySTemWellmont Health System operates

eight full-service hospitals in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. In 2010, Wellmont and Cardiovascular Associates partnered to form The Wellmont CVA Heart Institute, a group of 36 board-certified physicians in nine community cardiac offices.

“This notion of an institute implies a level of sophistication and quality that’s pretty unique,” says Cardiovascular Associates founder Harry Turner, M.D. “We’re taking the excellent provision of cardiac and vascular care to the next level.”

Wellmont’s Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport was named one of America’s 50 best hospitals for heart care in a 2011 Thomson Reuters study,

and was ranked the No. 1 hospital in Tennessee for cardiology by HealthGrades, a leading health-care ratings company. In 2010, the hospital completed a $113 million renovation that included a new intensive care unit, new operating suites, and expanded emergency and radiology departments.

Wellmont’s Bristol Regional Medical Center was the region’s first hospital to offer a digital cardiac catheterization lab and a primary stroke center. It performs surgical procedures utilizing two state-of-the-art robotic systems – the CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery System and the da Vinci Si Surgical System.

mORRiSTOWN-hamBLeN heaLThcaRe SySTem

Covenant Health’s Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System has served the eight-county Lakeway area for more than a century. Morristown-Hamblen’s Centers of Excellence include the Emergency & Critical Care Center, Heart, Lung & Vascular Center,

Morristown Regional Cancer Center, Surgical Services Center, the Joint and Spine Center and the Women’s Center.

LaKeWay RegiONaL hOSpiTaLOperated by Community Health

Systems, Morristown’s Lakeway Regional Hospital was the first in Tennessee to perform hip replacement using a unique navigation technology involving an infrared camera and tracking software. The system eliminates the need for many preoperative X-rays or CT scans and can lead to shorter hospital stays and fewer complications.

“It’s like having a GPS system in the operating room,” says orthopedic surgeon Wayne McLemore, M.D. “We have the opportunity to give patients a new hip that has increased strength, stability and range of motion, even in difficult anatomic situations.”

The system is also used for total knee replacements and sinus procedures.

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Livability


Scenic trails offer adventure, escape

L ooking for a beautiful outdoor escape? Then look no further – and drive no farther – than

the Northeast Tennessee Valley.The Valley offers a wealth of fresh-

air possibilities thanks to its mild climate, natural beauty and abundant trails, which include a number of scenic walking trails as well as expansive driving venues. The region abounds with places to hike, fish and bike, and outdoor adventurers can find skiing and rafting less than an hour away.

Anyone who likes to hike, mountain bike or ride horseback will find a welcome retreat on the Virginia Creeper Trail, a 34-mile rail-trail that runs from Abingdon, Va., through the Blue Ridge backwoods to the North Carolina state line. Virginia Creeper passes through Mount Rogers National Recreation Area along with the

highland country of southwestern Virginia, and is known for its foliage and overall richness in beauty.

By The Way, a NeW ByWayMeanwhile, a number of destination

roadways are available to motorists. East Tennessee Crossing byway, also known as U.S. Highway 25E, is an 83-mile roadway that was designated a National Scenic Byway in 2010 by the U.S. Department of Transportation. East Tennessee Crossing passes through Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen and Jefferson counties, and is expected to increase heritage and recreational tourism throughout the region.

“Tennessee is a touring state,” says Tennessee Commissioner of Tourism Susan Whitaker. “We have moved from 14th to eighth as the most visited state in the union, and this is going

Roads Less Traveled


the Virginia creeper trail is a 34-mile rail-trail that runs from abingdon, Va., through the blue Ridge backwoods to the north carolina state line.


Need Infrastructure?We’ve got you covered!

The 550-acre Phipps Bend Industrial District is ready and waiting for your industry. All of your industrial needs are in place including:• A70,870-square-footspecbuildingreadyforoccupancy

• RailconnectionspurtoNorfolk-Southernline

• Utilityinfrastructureincludingelectricity,gas,waterandsewer

• TennesseeTechnologyCenterlocatedonsite

• Skilledworkforce

• Locatedadjacenttofour-laneU.S.Hwy.11W

• Closeproximitytofourmajorinterstatehighways

• Diversemixtureofexistingindustry

• Locatedwithinoneday’sdriveof75%ofmajorU.S.markets

• Tri-CitiesRegionalAirport30milesaway

Hawkins County Industrial Development Board107E.MainSt.,Suite221•Rogersville,TN37857(423)272-7668•(423)921-2410Cell•(423)272-0200FaxE-mail:[email protected]•www.hawkinstnindustrial.com

Unicoi County …Strong Community,

Sound Opportunities

Joint Economic Development of Unicoi County100 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

www.unicoiedb.com

www.erwinutilities.com

www.unicoicounty.org

www.hawkinstnindustrial.com


to bring even more people here.”

WhiTe LighTNiNg TRaiLEast Tennessee Crossing follows the

original path of the Cherokee Warriors Path, the Wilderness Road across Clinch Mountain, the Dixie Highway of the Civil War period, and Thunder Road of moonshining lore. Thunder Road is also nicknamed White Lightning Trail because of its reputation for running moonshine during Prohibition. It passes through Claiborne and Hamblen counties and ends at the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park.

“For us, this designation of National Scenic Byway will cultivate more opportunities for heritage tourism, allowing Claiborne County to showcase our hidden treasures

that are so rich in history,” says Dennis Shipley, executive vice president/director of the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce.

SuNNySide upAnother impressive driving trail

in the Northeast Tennessee Valley is Sunnyside Trail, stretching 475 miles from Sevierville through 12 counties to the Tri-Cities area. More than 350 locations are highlighted along the trail for motorists to visit and enjoy.

“There are people who will do an entire driving trail and then there are people who will just do portions,” says Jennifer Spence, assistant commissioner for marketing at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “It’s always a greater product when you can link all of the treasures together, and the trails point out everything a visitor would love to do, from unique little mom-and-pop restaurants to historic sites and antique shopping.”

“Tennessee is a touring state. We have moved from

14th to eighth as the most visited state in the union …”

– Susan Whitaker, Tennessee Commissioner of Tourism

www.wellmont.org

www.wellmont.org


AVAILABLE BUILDING:• Located on 24.32 acres• Reinforced concrete floors• Seven dock doors• Two drive-in dock doors• All utilities on site• Located 3.5 miles from Interstate 26

Superior Industries Building 308,651 sq. ft.

Johnson City/Jonesborough & Washington County

Economic Development Board603 E. Market St., Ste. 200

Johnson City, TN 37601 (423) 975-2380 www.jcedb.org

visit ouradvertisersBristol Tennessee Essential Serviceswww.btes.net

Bristol Virginia Utilities www.accessbristolva.com

Eastman Chemical Companywww.eastman.com

Economic Development Board of Johnson Citywww.jcedb.org

Elizabethton Electricwww.elizabethtonchamber.com

Greene County Partnershipwww.greenecountypartnership.com

Holston Electric/Hawkins Countywww.hawkinstnindustrial.com

Jefferson County Chamber of Commercewww.selectjefferson.com

Johnson City Power Boardwww.jcpb.com

Joint Economic Development of Unicoi County Erwin Utilitieswww.unicoiedb.com

Morristown Utility Systemswww.musfiber.net

Networks-Sullivan Partnershipwww.networkstn.com

Northeast State Community Collegewww.northeaststate.edu

Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional Industrial Development Associationwww.netvaly.org

OnePartner www.onepartner.com

Scott County Economic Development Authoritywww.scottcountyva.org

Sleep Inn & Suiteswww.sleepinn.com/hotel/tn288

Wellmont Health Systemwww.wellmont.org

www.jcedb.org

www.liveunited.org

www.btes.net

www.accessbristolva.com

www.eastman.com

www.jcedb.org

www.elizabethtonchamber.com

www.greenecountypartnership.com

www.hawkinstnindustrial.com


www.jcpb.com

www.unicoiedb.com

www.musfiber.net

www.networkstn.com

www.northeaststate.edu

www.netvaly.org

www.onepartner.com

www.scottcountyva.org


www.wellmont.org


BuSiNeSS SNapShOTStrong 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.

ecONOmic pROFiLe

What’s Online For more demographic, statistical and community information on the Northeast Tennessee Valley region, go to imagesnetnvalley.com and click on Demographics.

Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe. Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant.

It's easy. That's living healthy and green.

Just call 866-730-green or visit www.epa.gov/radon

Living greenstarts from the ground up.

SCOTT COUNTY, VIRGINIA“We’re a Natural …”

For Your Next Business Location

(276) 386-2525 • www.scottcountyva.org

pOpuLaTiON (2009)

RegiON 765,292

TeNNeSSeecarter county 59,043claiborne county 31,243greene county 66,282hancock county 6,588hawkins county 57,784hamblen county 63,033Jefferson county 51,722Johnson county 18,006Sullivan county 154,552unicoi county 17,740washington county 120,598

ViRgiNia lee county 25,166Scott county 22,585washington county 53,018

NORTh caROLiNaavery county 17,932

maJOR pOpuLaTiON ceNTeRS (2009)

Johnson city, tn 63,141kingsport, tn 44,758bristol, tn 25,821bristol, Va 17,690

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%

mediaN hOuSehOLd iNcOme

RegiON$34,460

TeNNeSSeecarter county $32,287 claiborne county $29,822 greene county $35,246 hancock county $24,375 hawkins county $37,398 hamblen county $37,147

Jefferson county $39,580

Johnson county $30,447

Sullivan county $39,706

unicoi county $35,042

washington county $40,267

ViRgiNia lee county $29,365

Scott county $31,044

washington county $39,148

NORTh caROLiNa avery county $36,068

www.epa.gov/radon

www.scottcountyva.org

44 N O R T h e a S T T e N N e S S e e V a L L e y R e g i O N

I don’t mind telling people my weight. It’s 141,312 beans, give or take a bean or two. you’ll just have to convert beans to pounds to know for yourself.

I try to keep my eyes on the road as I drive about 5 miles down a winding two-lane road off I-40 in rural Tennessee. The road is barely big enough for two cars to pass, much less a car and a tractor trailer full of beans. Those trucks are coming from the bush brothers & Company in Chestnut Hill, and they’re hauling “bush’s best.”

Right across the street from the company’s plant is the original A.J. bush & Company general store from 1897. It now serves as the bush’s visitor center, a place where you can learn about the long history of the bush family’s business and probably more information about beans than you ever wanted to know. And that’s where you can find out your weight in beans.

FROm OuR phOTO BLOg: NORTheaST TeNNeSSee VaLLey RegiON

pOSTed By TOdd BeNNeTT

more Online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at imagesnetnvalley.com.

Now that you’ve experienced the Northeast Tennessee Valley region through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit imagesnetnvalley.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.

get the Story Behind the photo

Through the Lens

Ad Index C3 Bristoltennessee essentialserviCes

27 BristolvirginiaUtilities

23 eastman ChemiCalCompany

42 eConomiCDevelopment BoarDofJohnsonCity

4 elizaBethtoneleCtriC

35 greene CoUntypartnership

40 holstoneleCtriC/ hawkinsCoUnty

6 JeffersonCoUnty ChamBerofCommerCe

2 JohnsonCity powerBoarD

40 JointeConomiC DevelopmentofUniCoi CoUntyerwinUtilities

1 morristown Utilitysystems

30 networks-sUllivan partnership

30 northeaststate CommUnityCollege

C4 northeasttennessee valleyregionalinDUstrial DevelopmentassoCiation

C2 onepartner

43 sCottCoUntyeConomiC DevelopmentaUthority

15 sleepinn&sUites

41 wellmonthealthsystem

www.btes.net

www.netvaly.org

business images northeast tennessee valley region 2011

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