Quarterly Newsletter
Community Stakeholders Report - Quarter One - 2026
The team’s Nashville presentation highlighted the strategic strengths of each site while underscoring the region’s unified commitment to advancing shovel‑ready industrial properties. This collective effort not only strengthened the competitiveness of the applications but also demonstrated the level of regional cooperation that continues to set Northeast Tennessee apart.
TNECD Awards Grant for Airport Parkway Due Diligence
NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership was recently awarded $100,000 from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) through its Site Development Grant (SDG) program to support due diligence efforts on approximately 41 acres located along Airport Parkway in Kingsport.
These funds will be used to complete critical pre-development studies, including a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), geotechnical investigations, and other necessary reports. This due diligence work is essential to understand the site’s physical characteristics and development readiness fully.
Completion of these reports will represent a key early milestone and is a prerequisite for future SDG funding to support site improvements, such as grading and infrastructure. This investment will help the Airport Parkway site attract competitive industrial tenants and support long-term economic growth in the region.
The grant underscores NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership’s continued focus on proactive site development as a driver of economic growth. By preparing strategic properties like the Airport Parkway site, the organization is helping to attract new investment, create jobs, and strengthen the long-term economic outlook for Northeast Tennessee.
Regional coverage from outlets including the Kingsport Times News and WCYB, along with information from TNECD, has highlighted the importance of this investment in enhancing the region’s industrial portfolio and readiness for future opportunities.
TNECD awards Grant for Bristol South Industrial Park Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) has awarded a significant Site Development Grant to support continued investment in industrial infrastructure in Sullivan County. The Bristol Industrial Development Board has secured $2,537,381 to fund critical property grading and roadway improvements at the Bristol South Industrial Park.
This funding represents a strategic investment in preparing the site for future industrial recruitment. Planned improvements will enhance the park’s topography and accessibility, making it more competitive for prospective employers seeking ready-to-build locations. By addressing key infrastructure needs in advance, the project aims to reduce development timelines and position the site to attract job-creating industries more effectively.
The grant is part of TNECD’s ongoing commitment to helping communities across Tennessee invest in site readiness—an increasingly important factor in today’s competitive economic development landscape. Local leaders have emphasized that projects like Bristol South Industrial Park are essential to supporting long-term growth and expanding opportunities for both existing businesses and new prospects.
Regional coverage from outlets such as the Bristol Herald Courier, Kingsport Times News, and WCYB has highlighted the award's impact, noting its role in strengthening the region’s industrial portfolio and reinforcing Northeast Tennessee’s position as a competitive destination for business investment.
As site development efforts move forward, the Bristol South Industrial Park is expected to play a key role in attracting new industry, supporting job creation, and driving continued economic momentum across the region.
NETWORKS Hosts Industry Event Highlighting Transloading Opportunity in the City of Kingsport
Historic Dobyns‑Taylor Warehouse Begins Its Transformation Into Kingsport’s New Boutique Hotel
Exciting changes are underway in downtown Kingsport as the historic Dobyns‑Taylor Warehouse officially begins its long‑anticipated transformation into a 60‑room boutique hotel. Demolition work is now underway on portions of the three‑acre property to prepare the site for construction, marking the first visible step in bringing this adaptive‑reuse vision to life.
The redevelopment, led by Pennsylvania developer Tim Butters, will preserve the building’s historic character while introducing a full‑service restaurant, flexible event space, and parking for both guests and the public. The structure, originally built in 1917 as the Kingsport Hosiery Mills, has been recognized for its strong architectural bones, including heavy timber framing and striking interior trusses that will remain on display in the finished hotel.
The project is supported by a significant public‑private partnership. In late 2025, the Kingsport Economic Development Board, City of Kingsport leadership, and the Sullivan County Commission approved a $10 million redevelopment plan.
Once complete, the project is expected to bring 40 construction jobs and 50 permanent hospitality positions to the region, along with meaningful long‑term economic impact—including increased tourism, expanded downtown activity, and sales and occupancy tax revenue.
Construction is scheduled to continue through 2026, with the boutique hotel set to open in spring 2027. With demolition underway and redevelopment momentum building, the Dobyns‑Taylor project is quickly becoming a centerpiece of downtown Kingsport’s ongoing revitalization—honoring its industrial past while creating a vibrant new destination for residents and visitors alike.
Seaman Corporation’s New Bristol Facility Rising at Partnership Park II
Momentum continues to build at Partnership Park II as Seaman Corporation’s new Bristol facility moves steadily upward. What was once a graded pad is now a visible, growing structure, thanks to the strong work of J.A. Street & Associates, who have advanced the project well beyond foundation work and into full vertical construction.
Phase I includes a 102,000‑square‑foot production facility, part of Seaman’s larger, long‑term 350,000‑square‑foot expansion in our region. This investment reflects not only the company’s continued confidence in Sullivan County but also the strong collaboration among state, local, and regional partners who helped secure the project and prepare the site for rapid development.
The new facility will add critical manufacturing capacity for Seaman Corporation and position the company for long‑range growth, strengthening Northeast Tennessee’s role in serving key national and international industries. Local contractors, regional utility partners, and economic development teams remain closely engaged to ensure the project stays on schedule and maintains the high construction standards expected for such a major industrial investment.
Each new beam going up represents more than construction progress; it represents future jobs, expanded industrial capability, and meaningful economic momentum for Northeast Tennessee. It also symbolizes the long-term benefits of site readiness, infrastructure investment, and regional teamwork, a winning combination that continues to attract and retain world‑class industries.
With construction now fully vertical, excitement is growing around the next stages of development. The Seaman facility is an example of what strategic preparation and collaboration can accomplish, and we look forward to sharing more progress as this project continues to take shape over the coming months.
Northeast Tennessee Hiring Expo Expands Regional Reach Through New Partnership
What began seven years ago as a Bristol‑hosted hiring event has now expanded into a regional collaboration as the Northeast Tennessee Hiring Expo, jointly led by the Industrial Development Board of Bristol, Tennessee, the Kingsport Economic Development Board, and NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership. This strengthened partnership has allowed the event to reach more job seekers, attract more employers, and showcase the breadth of career opportunities available across Sullivan County and the greater Tri‑Cities region.
This year’s expo, held at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, connected job seekers with over 80 hiring employers representing manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, education, public safety, technology, business services, and more. The event saw a strong turnout, with about 500 job seekers attending. Many employers offered on‑the‑spot interviews, underscoring the high demand for workers across multiple industries.
The expanded partnership has elevated the event beyond a single‑city initiative, creating a unified regional effort that better reflects the interconnected nature of Northeast Tennessee’s workforce and employers. According to organizers, the goal is simple: give job seekers direct access to real opportunities and help employers connect with the talent they need to grow. The expo continues to highlight high‑demand careers across the region, ranging from production and maintenance to engineering, IT, customer service, and healthcare.
By combining resources, outreach, and employer relationships, the Bristol IDB, Kingsport EDB, and NETWORKS are creating a more robust platform for connecting people with meaningful work. Their collaboration not only strengthens regional workforce development but also builds on the success of the hiring expo previously hosted in Bristol, transforming it into a broader Tri‑Cities initiative that serves the entire community.
As the Northeast Tennessee Hiring Expo continues to expand, it remains a powerful example of coordinated regional leadership—showcasing shared commitment to economic opportunity, talent development, and the long‑term prosperity of the region.
Junior Achievement Returns to Northeast TN with Mobile BizTown
Junior Achievement’s renowned Mobile BizTown has officially returned to Northeast Tennessee, bringing an exciting real‑world learning experience back into the hands of local students. This comeback was made possible through a TVA Workforce Invest Grant, secured through the collaborative partnership of NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES), and our local school systems. Their combined effort reflects a strong, region‑wide commitment to building career‑ready students and strengthening the future workforce.
Mobile BizTown creates an immersive, hands‑on environment where elementary and middle school students step into roles such as business owners, financial managers, city leaders, and consumers. Inside this fully functioning simulated town, students practice teamwork, problem‑solving, financial literacy, and leadership skills that connect classroom learning to real‑world career pathways. This year’s return builds on the success of earlier grant‑supported initiatives that expanded career exploration opportunities in both Bristol City Schools and Sullivan County Schools. With Mobile BizTown back in the region, thousands of students will once again have access to an experience that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and encourages them to envision themselves as future leaders in our local economy.
The renewed partnership demonstrates how coordinated regional efforts can create meaningful educational impact. By combining resources and expertise, NETWORKS, BTES, and our school systems are ensuring students gain early exposure to the kinds of workforce skills that Northeast Tennessee employers value most.
With Mobile BizTown rolling back into classrooms, the region continues to invest not only in education, but also in the long‑term economic strength of our communities—preparing students for the opportunities ahead and inspiring the next generation of workers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
Three Northeast State apprentices graduate from Cardinal Glass with federal certificates
Three Northeast State Community College apprentices have officially completed their U.S. Department of Labor–recognized apprenticeship program with Cardinal Glass FG, marking an important milestone for both the students and the region’s advanced manufacturing workforce.
Their achievement reflects the rigor of the program, which requires 8,000 hours of on‑the‑job training and 800 hours of classroom instruction over four years.
Northeast State partnered with Cardinal Glass FG to launch this apprenticeship pathway in 2022. With the company designated as an Authorized Training Agent under the Department of Labor, Cardinal is able to train and upskill employees through hands‑on, industry‑driven instruction. These newly certified journeymen now join a team responsible for maintaining key systems within the company’s two‑million‑square‑foot float‑glass manufacturing operation, one of the most advanced in the region.
Their graduation underscores the growing impact of apprenticeship programs in Northeast Tennessee and the region’s continued commitment to developing a skilled, modern manufacturing workforce.
Sullivan County Teacher Industry Day Builds Relationships in the Community
This year’s Sullivan County Teacher Industry Day brought together more than 30 teachers and over 20 local industries for a full day of hands‑on learning and collaboration. Hosted by Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES), the program gives educators a close look at the skills and career opportunities available to students across the region.
Now in its 27th year and in its fourth year partnering directly with Sullivan County Schools, the event continues to build meaningful relationships between classrooms and local employers. Teachers visited workplaces representing a wide range of fields—from healthcare and engineering to first responders and finance—gaining insights they can bring back to students.
NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership CEO, Clay Walker, highlighted how this effort fits into broader regional workforce initiatives, noting that ongoing collaboration among cities, counties, and industry partners is helping prepare students for real‑world careers.
Teacher Industry Day remains one of the region’s most impactful workforce programs—helping educators better understand industry needs and strengthening the link between education and opportunity.
Northeast State Marks 60th Anniversary
Northeast State Community College is celebrating a major milestone this year as it marks its 60th anniversary, honoring six decades of education, workforce development, and service to the Tri‑Cities region. What began in 1966 as the Tri‑Cities Area Vocational‑Technical School, serving just 35 students with six programs, has evolved into a multi‑campus institution supporting thousands of learners each year.
Today, Northeast State spans multiple locations and continues to expand access to high‑demand programs and modern training facilities.
The college’s growth mirrors the region’s evolving workforce needs, offering more than 130 academic and technical programs that support both university transfer and career‑ready pathways across Northeast Tennessee. Despite the decades that have passed, the mission remains the same: to provide students with the education and skills needed to succeed in a changing economy.
As Northeast State celebrates 60 years, the institution continues to build on its legacy, strengthening partnerships, expanding opportunities, and preparing the next generation of students for bright futures across the region. We are proud to have them in our backyard.
