2019 Sullivan County Fact Book

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2019

FACT SULLIVAN COUNTY

BOOK

Welcome From the desk of Richard Venable

Contents Sullivan County’s Arts Scene. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Kingsport Gains National Recognition. . . . . 6-7 Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11 Living Here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

Welcome to the 2019 Sullivan County Fact Book!

This book offers a comprehensive look at what makes Sullivan County such a special place and truly the jewel of Northeast Tennessee. Written and assembled by the staff of the Kingsport Times News, the 2019 Sullivan County Fact Book represents the best of our county and what makes it unique.

The pages that follow tell the story of our compelling history, as well as our business and industrial communities that keep our economy robust. Combine those stories with the snapshots of the amenities that draw people here and you have a broad vision of those of us who already call Sullivan County home and why we wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

Healthcare in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15

The 2019 Sullivan County Fact Book quite simply tells the story of how we came to be, who we are, and offers a few glimpses into our bright, promising future.

A Regiion of Firsts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

So sit back and enjoy. And welcome to this tour of my home, Sullivan County, Tennessee!

Promoting Regionalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Changes underway at Tri City Airport. . . . . 22 Sullivan County, a Perfect Place for Nature Lovers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-25 Sullivan County Statistics and Facts. . . . 26-28

Copyright 2019. Kingsport Publishing Company

Richard Venable County Mayor Sullivan County, TN

FACT BOOK JANUARY 3 2019

From ballet to the symphony to the theater, Sullivan County’s arts scene keeps residents, visitors entertained year round dance as an art form. It is located in the historic district of Bristol across the street from the Paramount Center for the Arts.

The nonprofit organization stages concerts and performances for the community each year. It has a junior and senior performing company and offers a range of classes for many ages and skill levels.

Kingsport Theatre Guild

Whether you enjoy music, theater, dance or traditional art, Sullivan County has something for you.

For many years, this region has been known as a place where cultural arts are both supported and celebrated. Below are a few of the area’s most popular arts offerings.

Symphony of the Mountains Though it is based in Kingsport, Symphony of the Mountains serves the entire region. It began when a small group of musicians formed the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra in 1946. Since then, the orchestra has not only changed its name, but also expanded its reach in the community.

Today, the orchestra consists of nearly 100 professional musicians under the direction of Cornelia Laemmli Orth. The group performs multiple concerts at a number of regional venues each year.

Paramount Center for the Arts A multi-use performing arts center, Paramount Center for the Arts enlivens the heart of downtown Bristol with music, theatre, dance, comedy and other entertainment for all audiences. The venue first opened in 1931 and was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

A large-scale restoration project at the venue was completed in 1991. Today, the center hosts both local and world-renowned artists and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

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FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

Birthplace of Country Music Museum Country music has played a significant role in Sullivan County for generations. Today, that heritage is celebrated daily at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Located in Bristol, the Smithsonianaffiliated museum tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, often referred to as the “Big Bang” of modern country music.

At the museum, visitors will find text and artifacts, photographs, multiple theater experiences and interactive displays that bring the rich history of country music to life.

Kingsport Ballet A nonprofit organization, Kingsport Ballet aims to foster professional quality dance through education, performance, outreach, advocacy and partnerships. It began in the early 1980s as Kingsport Guild of Ballet and was renamed Kingsport Ballet after merging with State of Franklin Dance Alliance in 2001.

Students at Kingsport Ballet are trained by professional instructors in a 15,000-square-foot facility in downtown Kingsport. The organization stages multiple performances each year, including a traditional Russian version of “The Nutcracker.”

Bristol Ballet Established in 1948, Bristol Ballet’s mission is to educate students and the general public about

One of the oldest community theatres in the state, Kingsport Theatre Guild has been in continuous operation since 1947. The guild has performed at a variety of locations over the years but currently stages its shows at the Kingsport Renaissance Center.

Every year, the organization plans a full slate of shows for the mainstage and for its downtown series. Mainstage performances for next year include “My Fair Lady,” “The Secret Garden” and “9 to 5.”

Theatre Bristol Originally established in 1965 as the Bristol Children’s Theatre, Theatre Bristol is a community theater that focuses on reaching child performers and audiences. It hosts many outreach programs,

workshops and other educational programs and is run mainly by volunteers.

controlled “Pal’s Roundhouse” in downtown Kingsport.

The organization’s mainstage season consists of up to five productions. The 2019 season will include performances of “Wizard of Oz,” “Into the Woods” and “Miracle on 34th Street.”

More than 300 volunteers worked for five years to hand-carve and paint the platform and sweep animals for the ride. Since it was completed in 2015, several thousand children and adults have visited the attraction.

Kingsport Carousel

A popular family destination, the Kingsport Carousel puts the art of wood-carving on full display.

The carousel is a totally renovated 1956 Allen Herschell model located inside the temperature-

Sources: Symphony of the Mountains, Paramount Bristol, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Kingsport Ballet, Bristol Ballet, Kingsport Theatre Guild, Theatre Bristol, Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts

Connie Salyer

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• Full Time Real Estate Professional since 1989 • Licensed in both Tennessee and Virginia • Member of the Northeast Tennessee Board of Realtors, The Tennessee Association of Realtors, The National Association of Realtors, the Sunrise Rotary Club, and the Kingsport Home Builders Association • Graduate of the Real Estate Institute (GRI) • Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) • Certified in Commercial Real Estate • Consistently achieved the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Producer Award throughout my career

~ Connie FACT BOOK JANUARY 5 2019

Kingsport gains national recognition

Kingsport gained national, and even some international, recognition last year with the visit of some pretty “big name” out of town guests.

The recognitions came in the form of a wellknown adult “iced tea,” a popular golf tournament and the world’s most popular search engine.

BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND

This past May, Kingsport “reclaimed” its rightful status as the birthplace of the Long Island Iced Tea. The story goes that “Old Man Bishop” created the “original Long Island Iced Tea” on Kingsport’s Long Island in the 1920s — with his son Ransom making revisions in the 1940s.

Once this “claim” made its way north to the Big Apple, folks in New York didn’t take kindly to Kingsport trying to steal their spotlight and repeated the long-established story that the Long Island Iced Tea was created at a bar on their turf in the 1970s by “Rosebud” Butt.

Twitter and Instagram, the city recorded 27.3 million views for the Long Island Iced Tea promotion.

GROW WITH GOOGLE

This past August, “Googlers” took over the Kingsport Public Library for the day and helped local job seekers, teachers, small businesses and developers learn more about the Grow with Google initiative.

The initiative launched in October 2017, and since then Google has gone to libraries across the country to promote the new endeavor. Folks were able to sit down at coaching stations with “Googlers” to chat and answer questions.

To settle the dispute, Kingsport and New York agreed to a series of blind taste tests. New York won the first round back in June; a month later Kingsport claimed victory. A final taste off is in the works with the “neutral” location to be announced by the end of 2018.

They learned how to get found on Google Search and Maps and how to reach customers online with Google. The Kingsport event focused on digital skills, coding, online safety, data analytics and improving online business presence.

There were also one-on-one coaching sessions on Google Spreadsheets and other GSuite Tools, in addition to Google AdWords, Google Analytics, Google My Business, Gmail and Google Calendar.

The $40,000 promotion was a huge success for the Model City, racking up about $1.3 million in media coverage, including television, radio and in social media. Across YouTube, Facebook,

“There were six million jobs reported available but seven million people unemployed,” Google Community Engagement Manager Stephen Brokaw told a group of about 50 people at the

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FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

library. “There’s an opportunity gap where skills don’t match what’s available. … If you’re running a small business, digital skills are more important than ever.”

WORLD LONG DRIVE

For the first time ever, the World Long Drive Tour came to the Cattails Golf Course in Kingsport, drawing hundreds of golf fans from across the region and the country, to enjoy an afternoon of watching the “fastest ball in sports.”

The Golf Channel carried the event live and boasted its second largest viewership for a live television broadcast, with more than 2.5 million unique viewers, along with seven to 10 rebroadcasts. Viewership was up 50 percent when compared to an event held in 2017 and it was so popular among fans, the World Long Drive Tour plans to return to Kingsport in 2019 and 2020.

“It was the biggest turnout we’ve had,” said Justin James, who won the men’s division with a drive of 396 yards. “You could tell the area got into it and was passionate. That makes it incredible for us.”

On the ladies’ front, Emily Tubert secured a victory with a drive of 322 yards, just edging out Alexis Belton, who had just smacked a 319 yard drive a moment before. This was Tubert’s first long drive event.

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EDUCATION Bristol Schools

Anderson Elementary School 901 9th St. Bristol, TN 37620 Phone (423) 652-9444 Grades Pre-K through 6

Avoca Elementary School 2440 Volunteer Parkway Bristol, TN 37620 Phone (423) 652-9445 Grades Pre-K through 6

Fairmount Elementary School 821 Virginia Avenue Bristol, TN 37620 Phone (423) 652-9311 Grades Pre-K through 6 Haynesfield Elementary School 201 Bluff CIty Highway Bristol, TN 37620 Phone (423) 652-9292 Grades Pre-K through 6

Holston View Elementary School 1840 King College Road Bristol, TN 37620 Phone (423) 652-9470 Grades Pre-K through 6

Tennessee High School 1112 Edgemont Avenue Bristol, TN 37620 Phone (423) 652-9494 Grades 9-12

Tennessee Online Public School 615 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.

Bristol, TN 37620 Phone (423) 652-9209 Grades 9-12

Vance Middle School 815 Edgemont Avenue Bristol, TN 37620 Phone (423) 652-9449 Grades 7-8 To enroll a new student: The 2019-20 school year for students be-

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gins Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. New students enroll at the individual school to which they are zoned, based on their place of residence, according to Bristol Tennessee School System spokesman Rebecca Craddock. Parents need to present the child’s original birth certificate; Social Security card; proof of up-to-date Tennessee immunization with confirmation of medical exam; and proof of residency. For more information, including information on enrollment of out-of-city tuition students and out-of-zone in-city students, go to the school system website at www.btcs. org/ or call the school system’s Central Office at (423) 652-9451. The address is 615 Martin Luther King Jr. Road, Bristol,

W W W . G O O D W I L LT N V A . O R G

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FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

TN 37620.

Sullivan County Schools Blountville Elementary School 155 School Avenue Blountville,TN 37617 Phone: (423) 354-1650 Grades Pre-K through 5

Bluff City Elementary School 282 J. Forrest Thomas St. Bluff City, TN 37618 Phone: (423) 354-1825 Grades Pre-K through 5

Central Heights Elementary School 158 Central Heights Rd. Blountville, TN 37617 Phone: (423) 354-1575 Grades Pre-K through 5

Emmett Elementary School 753 Emmett Road Bristol, TN 37620 Phone: (423) 354-1865 Grades Pre-K through 5

Holston Elementary School School 2348 Hwy. 75, No. 1 Blountville, TN 37617 Phone: (423) 354-1550 Grades Pre-K through 5

Indian Springs Elementary School 333 Hill Road Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: (423) 354-1685 Grades K through 5

Ketron Elementary School 3301 Bloomingdale Pike Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: (423) 354-1710 Grades Pre-K through 5 Mary Hughes School 240 N. Austin Springs Road Piney Flats, TN 37686 Phone: (423) 354-1835 Grades K through 8

Miller Perry Elementary School 904 Fordtown Road Kingsport, TN 37663 Phone: (423) 354-1760 Grades K through 5

Rock Springs Elementary School 1238 Moreland Drive Kingsport, TN 37663 Phone: (423) 354-1380 Grades K through 5

Sullivan Gardens K-8 209 Rosemont Street Kingsport, TN 37660 (423) 354-1770 (elementary) (423) 354-1780 (middle) Grades K-8

Sullivan Central High School 131 Shipley Ferry Road Blountville, TN 37617 Phone: (423) 354-1200 Grades 9-12

Sullivan East High School 4180 Weaver Pike Bluff City, TN 37618 Phone: (423) 354-1900 Grades 9-12

Sullivan North High School 2533 N John B Dennis Highway Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: (423) 354-1400 Grades 9-12 Sullivan South High School 1236 Moreland Drive Kingsport, TN 37664 Phone: (423) 354-1300 Grades 9-12 As of press time, plans call for the new Sullivan East Middle School near East High to open in January of 2020. That school will take the place of Bluff City and Holston Valley middle schools and the middle school portion of Mary Hughes School, a K-8 facility in Piney Flats. The new school is to have a 700-student enrollment. Original plans were for East

Middle to open in the fall of 2019, but school officials cited weather delays.

Also as of press time, plans call for the new West Ridge High School off Exit 63 of Interstate 81 to open in the fall of 2021, replacing North, South and at least part of Central, with some Central students likely rezoned to East. The new school is to have a 1,700-student enrollment. Original plans were for West Ridge to open in the fall of 2020, but school officials cited weather delays. The plan is to close the middle school section of Sullivan Gardens K-8, as well as Colonial Heights Middle, and send those students along with North Middle students to a new Sullivan South Middle in the South High building. Also, Holston Middle and Blountville Middle would close and those students would shift to a new Sullivan Central Middle in the Central High building.

Both new facilities also will be accompanied by tweaking of school zones across the county.

Registering new students: The 2019 school year for students begins Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. New students enroll at the individual school to which they are zoned, based on their place of residence, according to Director of Schools Evelyne Rafalowski, although out-of-zone students are allowed as space and staffing permit. Parents need to present the child’s original birth certificate; Social Security card; proof of up-to-date Tennessee immunization with confirmation of medical exam; and proof of residency. For more information, including information about enrollment of out-of-zone or out-of-county students, go to sullivank12.net/ or call the school system’s Central Office (423) 354-1000.

The building is at 154 Blountville Bypass, Blountville, TN 37617, on the second floor, above the Sullivan County Regional Health Department.

FACT BOOK JANUARY 9 2019

EDUCATION Kingsport City Schools Palmer Early Learning Center 1609 Ft. Henry Drive, Kingsport, TN 37764 Phone: (423) 378-2160 Grade pre-K

Abraham Lincoln Elementary School 1000 Summer St., Kingsport, TN 37664 Phone: (423) 378-2360 Grades pre-K through 5

John Adams Elementary School 2727 Edinburgh Channel Road, Kingsport, TN 37664 Phone: (423) 378-1400 Grades pre-K through 5

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School 1051 Lake St., Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: (423) 857-2600 Grades pre-K through 5

Andrew Jackson Elementary School 600 Jackson St., Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: (423) 378-2250 Grades pre-K through 5

George Washington Elementary School 1100 Bellingham Drive, Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: (423) 378-2480 Grades pre-K through 5

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School 2216 Westmoreland Ave., Kingsport, TN 37664 Phone: (423) 378-2270 Grades K through 5

Cora Cox Academy 520 Myrtle St., Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: (423) 378-2229 Grades 6-12

Andrew Johnson Elementary School 1001 Ormond Drive, Kingsport, TN 37664 Phone: (423) 378-2300 Grades pre-K through 5 John F. Kennedy Elementary School 1500 Woodland Avenue, Kingsport, TN 37665 Phone: (423) 857-2700 Grades pre-K through 5

Dobyns-Bennett High School 1 Tribe Way, Kingsport, TN 37664 Phone: (423) 378-8400 Grades 9-12 D-B EXCEL 400 Clinchfield Street, Suite 220, Kingsport, TN 37660 Phone: (423) 378-2185 Grades 9-12

As of press time, Kingsport City Schools leaders plan to open the new $20 million Regional Science and Technology Center, also the new “front door” for DobynsBennett, in August of 2019. In addition, plans are to move Sevier Middle to the Sullivan North High/Middle building after the county system vacates that building, projected to occur in the spring of 2021 with the city to take about a year to turn the building into the new Sevier. Sevier then would be used to serve students transferred from Jackson Elementary, which is to close.

To enroll a new student: The 2019-20 school year for students begins Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. New students enroll at the individual school to which they are zoned, based on their place of residence, according to Assistant Superintendent of Administration Andy True. Parents need to present the child’s original birth certificate; Social Security card; proof of up-to-date Tennessee immunization with confirmation of medical exam; and proof of residency.

For more information, including information on enrollment of out-of-city tuition students and out-of-zone in-city students, go to k12k.com/ or call the school system’s Administrative Support Center at (423) 378-2100. The building is at 400 Clinchfield Suite 200, Kingsport, TN 37660, in the Press Building above the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.

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FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN SULLIVAN COUNTY King University King University, founded in 1867, is a Presbyterian-affiliated doctoral-level comprehensive Liberal Arts university. In addition to its 135-acre campus in Bristol Tenn. King offers classes at the Kingsport Academic Village, at its main Knoxville campus in the Hardin Valley area and at 10 instructional sites. Classes are also offered online.

College and School Structure: • College of Arts and Sciences • Peake School of Christian Mission • Digital Media Art & Designact Book 2019: Colleges and Universities in Sullivan County and Kingsport 2019 • Psychology • School of Health and Professional Sciences • School of Business, Economics and Technology • Information Technology • School of Education • School of Nursing

Address: 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620

For more information, visit www.king.edu

Northeast State Community College

Northeast State Community College in Blountville is a comprehensive two-year community college that provides university-parallel programs designed for students desiring to transfer to another college or university upon graduation.

Northeast State has 150 programs of study.

Its academic divisions are: • Advanced technologies • Behavioral and social sciences • Business technologies • Health professions • Humanities • Mathematics • Science Address: 2425 Highway 75, Blountville, Tenn. 37617 For more information visit www.northeaststate.edu

The Kingsport Academic Village The Kingsport Academic Village is a five-building, 54,000-square-foot facility in downtown Kingsport administered by Northeast State Community College. The center combines the resources of King University, Lincoln Memo-

rial University, Milligan College, and Northeast State Community College under one roof. Students are able to earn selected baccalaureate and graduate degrees from participating colleges and universities as well as associate degrees from Northeast State.

Address: 300 W. Market St., Kingsport, Tenn. 37660 For more information visit www.kingsportacademicvillage.com

ETSU at Kingsport East Tennessee State University, which has its main campus in Johnson City, has two locations offering classes in Kingsport. One is in the Kingsport Center for Higher Education and the other is the Allandale campus located near Allandale Mansion.

Address: ETSU at Kingsport downtown, 300 W. Market St., Kingsport, Tenn. 37660; ETSU at Kingsport, Allandale, 1501 University Blvd., Kingsport, Tenn. 37660.

For more information visit: www.etsu.edu/academicaffairs/scs/kingsport

thisiskingsport.com

FACT BOOK JANUARY 11 2019

Living Here

If you live in Kingsport or Sullivan County, you know exactly why you do. It’s a safe place to live, work and raise a family; it has strong educational and employment opportunities, and is located in one of the most scenic parts of the country.

But when you talk to friends and family who may have never been here, how do you describe our region? Do you focus on the low cost of living?

How safe it is to raise a family? Or do you talk about the many outdoor opportunities you can find here, from hiking and mountain biking, fishing and camping to just enjoying a leisurely walk on one of our many greenbelts and pathways.

Chances are, you talk about these things and more.

It’s simply a nice place...

Sullivan County is centrally located on the eastern side of the country and is within a day’s drive of 70 percent of the U.S. population. The median family income is just over $40,000 with job opportunities ranging from large industrial employers (Eastman Chemical Company, Domtar), to mid-sized technology companies to a 21-hospital medical system and a wide variety of professional and service related businesses.

Folks are friendly and generous in our region and there are ample opportunities to donate your time and money to any number of worthy causes, from the United Way and Salvation Army, to Meals on Wheels and the Boys & Girls Club, civic clubs, sports and band teams and other non-profit organizations.

If you choose to live in Kingsport and Sullivan County, you’ll enjoy a low cost of living compared to many other cities and communities across the country, a low crime rate and comfortable weather throughout the year. Sullivan County does enjoy four different seasons with more than 200 sunny days each year. Though temperatures may drop in the winter and spike in the summer, the change isn’t unbearable and doesn’t last terribly long.

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FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

To call home...

In recent years, Kingsport and Sullivan County leaders have placed a greater emphasis on housing, from redeveloping old public housing complexes into new, single family units; to offering incentives for developers to create greater options for those wanting to live in apartments.

According to the latest report from Zillow.com, the median home value in Kingsport is $129,200 and home values have gone up in the Model City 9.9 percent over the past year. Next year, Zillow predicts they will rise another 4.1 percent. In Sullivan County, the numbers are much the same with the median home value being $129,900 and a 9.3 percent increase in home values during the previous year.

The higher-end developments of Old Island in Sullivan Gardens and The Edinburgh in Rock Springs continue to thrive, while apartments and lofts in the downtowns of Bristol and Kingsport are holding strong.

One of the largest housing developments to take place in Kingsport in a generation is expected to wrap up in early 2019 – the Town Park Lofts – a $32 million apartment complex that will offer more than 250 units in the heart of downtown.

Finally, Sullivan County is becoming THE place to shop and dine in the Tri-Cities, getting a major boost in this department from the Pinnacle in Bristol. This 250-acre retail and restaurant complex is anchored by the region’s only Bass Pro Shops, CARMAX, Marshall’s and the largest Belk in the

Tri-Cities. You can spend the entire day walking through the 850,000 square feet of retail space at the Pinnacle, eat at the Outback Steakhouse or Moe’s Southwest Grill, and then later catch a movie at the 12-screen Marquee Cinemas.

We embrace our history…

Sullivan County is the second oldest county in Tennessee and is named for the Revolutionary War general John Sullivan. While some communities forget or ignore their history, the folks in Sullivan County embrace it and celebrate it throughout the year with festivals, re-enactments and other special events.

One of the more notable events is the annual Battle of Blountville – a re-enactment of the September 1863 Civil War battle. The three-day event takes place at Hawley Farm in Blountville where visitors can watch the battle and learn about the life of a soldier in the mid-19th century.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is located in the Twin Cities of Bristol and opened to the public in August of 2014. The 24,000-square-foot museum offers music history exhibits relating to the 1927 Bristol Sessions and other aspects of Bristol’s musical legacy. The museum also has a performance theater, radio station, a learning center and a memorabilia store.

Other historic sites you might want to check out during a visit to Sullivan County include Rocky Mount (the Cobb-Massengill House that was the first capital of the Southwest Territory), Long Island on the Holston (an important landmark for the Cherokee Nation and the site of Fort Robinson), the Exchange Place in Kingsport (an 1850s living farm) and Netherland Inn (a 200-year-old inn built to serve travelers from middle Tennessee to western Kentucky).

And enjoy the great outdoors…

Sullivan County is located less than 100 miles from 15 state parks, is home to one state park, is near five national parks, six TVA lakes and the largest city-owned nature preserve in the state.

Getting outside and enjoying the outdoors is not a

problem for the folks in our community, from one end of the county to the other, parks, greenways and water activities are all abundant in Sullivan County.

Topping the list is Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, a 3,600-acre nature preserve with 38 miles of trails for hiking, running, sight-seeing, exploration and mountain-biking. You can also enjoy a picturesque 44-acre lake, a Nature Center with a state-of-the-art Planetarium Theater, animal habitats and an Adventure Ropes Course complete with a 300-foot zip line.

On the other end of Sullivan County, thousands of visitors every year come to the fastest half mile in NASCAR – the Bristol Motor Speedway. The nearby Steele Creek Park offers folks a chance to paddleboat, toss a round of disc golf or take a ride on a mini-train. Observation Knob Park offers the perfect setting for camping, fishing and hiking, while Warriors Path State Park – the most visited state park in Tennessee – is home to an internationally-renowned mountain biking trail system, a nationally recognized golf course and the only state park with a Boundless Playground.

It’s a place called home…

More than 150,000 people call Sullivan County home. The cities of Sullivan County – Kingsport, Bristol and Bluff City – all have that small town feel while offering many amenities you’d find in the larger cities. If you want an urban experience, we have it. Enjoy a more rural environment? There are plenty of places to choose from.

Whether you’re a millennial, part of a family of four or a retiree looking to downsize, Sullivan County may be perfect for you. All you have to do is ask someone who lives here. We’ll be happy to tell you all about it.

Just minutes from any of the three Tri-Cities, each home to a wide variety of activities, shopping, and great food.

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Tri-City Aviation provides a wide variety of maintenance and support services for both general and commercial aviation.

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FACT BOOK JANUARY 13 2019

Ballad Health looks to build a superior health care system in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Health care in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia went through a transition in 2018, with the largest provider – Ballad Health – making a number of changes to its organization through specialization and better coordination.

Everything from simple name changes to a significant realignment of its trauma services took place last year.

For the coming year, the effect of some these changes will be fully implemented, and Ballad also plans to use 2019 as the year to better match the services it provides to the needs of the communities.

By doing this, Ballad believes it will be able to save lives and improve the quality of life to those it serves.

HISTORY BEHIND THE MERGER

Nearly one year ago the Tennessee Department of Health approved the merger of Johnson City-based Mountain States Health Alliance and Kingsport-based Wellmont Health System. With the merger approved, the new company – dubbed Ballad Health – began the process of right-sizing the company and reducing or eliminating duplicate services in order to improve efficiencies and the financial position of the company.

CHANGES TAKING PLACE

In October, Ballad changed the names of a few of its facilities to better “reflect both their important roles within the health system and their deep ties to the communities they serve.”

- Indian Path Medical Center became Indian Path Community Hospital.

- Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Norton became Mountain View Regional Hospital.

- Russell County Medical Center in Lebanon is now Russell County Hospital - Unicoi County Memorial Hospital is now just Unicoi County Hospital.

14

FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

NEXT FOR THE FUTURE

Continuing through the fall of 2019, Ballad plans to create a fully-integrated and highly-coordinated comprehensive regional trauma and emergency care system, increase the level of care at the Niswonger Children’s hospital and realign high-acuity services at the Kingsport hospitals.

All of this is being done so patients can get the right care, in the right place as quickly as possible.

According to Ballad’s website, other improvements on track for later this year include: - Launching a new medical call center to make sure patients are transported to the appropriate facility.

- Starting a new pediatric trauma service at Niswonger Children’s Hospital in partnership with the Johnson City Medical Center.

- Beginning significant research and outreach into geriatric falls, which represent a high number of trauma cases in our region.

- Investing in new pediatric ERs in Kingsport and Bristol, along with new pediatric sub-specialties, including pediatric surgery, gastroenterology, pulmonology, neurology, ENT, urology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and child abuse.

- Locating interventional cardiology, orthopedics and neurosurgery at Holston Valley, while maintaining medical cardiology services at Indian Path.

Ballad says these improvements have been based on best practices and were designed in collaboration with local leadership, its physicians and other experts. The changes reflect the vision behind Ballad Health and its commitment to match the services to the needs of our community.

PROVIDING PRIMARY CARE

In Sullivan County, two of the largest primary care practices are Holston Medical Group and Mountain Region Family Medicine. Additionally, there are a number of urgent care clinics in the county as well as specialty care practices.

The Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University serves as a physician pipeline for the region.

Healthy Kingsport is a wellness initiative based in Kingsport, while Friends In Need in Kingsport is a primary care and dental practice serving the county’s working uninsured.

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A region of “firsts” Rocky Mount, in unincorporated Piney Flats, was the first territorial capital of what became Tennessee. Modern Kingsport was the first 20th Century planned American city and first governed by a board of mayor and aldermen-city manager form of government; Bristol is dubbed the Birthplace of Country Music because of recording sessions there in the early 20th Century; and Tennessee Eastman in Kingsport had a part in the first atomic bomb, used in 1945 to end World War II.

A few milestones:

Sullivan County was established in 1780, making it one of the earliest settled areas in Tennessee.

In 1761 troops en route to besieged Fort Loudoun passed through, built the Island Road and constructed Fort Robinson on the Long Island of the Holston. The first permanent settlers came from Lancaster, Pa. in 1765. The county is named for Gen. John Sullivan, a New Hampshire Revolutionary War leader.

The north fork of the Holston forms the county boundary with neighboring Hawkins County, which was created out of Sullivan in 1786.

Settlers defeated the Cherokee in the Battle of Island Flats in 1776, and the Treaty of the Long Island of the Holston in 1777 temporarily resolved conflicts between settlers and the Cherokee, who ceded lands to both Virginia and North Carolina.

Col. John Donelson assembled his family and other settlers for a voyage down the Holston to establish a settlement on the Cumberland River in December 1779, and he eventually founded what became Nashville. Rivers and early roads made it a gateway for western settlement of immigrants.

The Exchange Place in Kingsport provides historical context of 1700s life in Sullivan County, as does Rocky Mount in Piney Flats.

Sullivan County in the early 19th Century developed an agricultural area with an economy augmented with industries such as iron works, powder mills, tanneries, gristmills and sawmills.

Blountville, centered on a turnpike that went north to Richmond, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Penn., was the county seat and a prosperous trade and commercial town. The Deery Inn served travelers from 1785 to the 1930s.

Although much of East Tennessee remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War, Democratic Sullivan County voted in favor of secession. Aside from the Battle of Blountville, the Battle of Kingsport, a 18

FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

skirmish on Dec. 13, 1864, was fought near Rotherwood Mansion and is re-enacted each year.

According to a brief history of Bluff City on the town’s website, the town “was first known as Choate’s Ford and then as Middletown when the town was platted in 1858. Later known as Union, Zollicoffer and Union again, it became Bluff City on July 1, 1887. In 1870, the well-known brand of Saint Joseph drug products originated in Bluff City.”

The Union named was dropped in 1862 during the Civil War and the municipality was renamed for Felix Zollicoffer, a Confederate general and Tennessee congressman. The town also has a link to the earlier Revolutionary War. “On Sept. 24, 1780, 400 Virginia militiamen crossed over the Holston River at Choate’s Ford on their way to muster at Sycamore Shoals on their march to Kings Mountain, which was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. On Sept. 24, 2007 the Overmountain Victory Trail was certified by the National Park Service and Bluff City enjoys having Choate’s Ford as a recognized historic site,” the history says.

Bristol’s first century was as a rural village. Evan Shelby (1719-1794) came to Sapling Grove (now Bristol) in 1771 and established a fort that became a settlement center. During the Revolutionary War, Shelby commanded expeditions against the Chickamauga towns, and early planning for the Kings Mountain campaign took place in his quarters at the fort. Modern Bristol dates to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when an industrial town developed at the junction of the Southern Railway and Norfolk and Western Railroad. The presence of two major lines attracted rapid commercial and industrial development. The “other” Bristol, Bristol, Va., is just north of metal boundary markers in the middle of State Street. In the 1920s, Victor Talking Machine Company talent scout Ralph Peer

set up a recording studio on the Tennessee side of State Street and made a series of recordings with regional artists. The 1927 “Bristol Sessions” featured the Stoneman Family, the Carter Family from Hiltons, Va., northeast of Kingsport, and Jimmie Rodgers. It marked the beginning of the modern country music industry, the “Big Bang” of country music.

Kingsport remained a country village until 1909, when the construction of the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway (CC&O) passed through the Holston Valley. This link to Cincinnati and the Atlantic opened the door for Sullivan County’s development as an industrial center. An improvement association planned an industrial city for the land near the village of Kingsport with the aid of John Nolan, an engineer and city planner. Historian, teacher and author Margaret Ripley Wolfe described Kingsport as the first economically diversified, professionally planned and privately financed city in 20th Century America “produced by the marriage of New South philosophy and Progressivism.”

During the Great Depression, Eastman became Kingsport’s largest employer, helping make the new town an anomaly: an industrial city experiencing growth. During the early 1940s scientists from Eastman developed a process for continuous flow production of RDX, an explosive capable of penetrating the hulls of the World War II German submarines. Consequently, Eastman received the contract to build and operate Holston Army Ammunition Plant, long known as Holston Ordnance and today operated by BAE. By the end of the war it had become the largest explosive manufacturing facility in the world.

Sources: Blythe Semmer, Margaret Ripley Wolfe, in “The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture.

FACT BOOK JANUARY 19 2019

Promoting regionalism Sullivan Countians will readily tell you there is much to be proud of in our home county and in Northeast Tennessee. But what if it could be even better?

That’s what a number of area business and government leaders are asking themselves these days. Their answer? Regional cooperation that will enable Northeast Tennessee to fully realize it’s enormous potential.

An effort to promote regionalism has been undertaken by local chambers of commerce and by leaders of the area’s largest employers who say our cities and counties can be even stronger if they work together.

And elected leaders in Sullivan and Washington counties recently held a historic joint meeting and declared a “Regional Cooperation Day,” for the two counties.

Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable and Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy said their larger goal is to attract even more Northeast Ten-

nessee counties to the table.

The Regional Cooperation Day resolution, stated, in part, that the two county commissions have agreed to “move forward to forge greater bonds of partnership and cooperation in recognition that joint workforce readiness and economic development present a tangible opportunity for the betterment of Northeast Tennessee’s citizens.”

It calls for creation of a committee to “reach out across imaginary, arbitrary lines” to conceive new ways to partner together to benefit the region as a whole.

What’s driving this intense push for regionalism?

The short answer is competition and demographics.

Jerry Caldwell, Bristol Motor Speedway’s executive vice president and general manager, recently said that by not working together “our region is losing out on growth opportunities.”

According to Kingsport Mayor John Clark, Northeast Tennessee is competing with large cities in Tennessee as well as all other Southern states for residents, jobs and investors.

“Joining forces and working together is the best way forward to compete and achieve manageable growth,” he said.

Area governments have worked together in the past, most notably when they created the Tri Cities Regional Airport more than 75 years ago.

Airport Authority Chairman Jon Smith sums up the regionalism issue this way: “The ultimate reason that regional residents should care is that regionalism is the best approach for ensuring that this truly unique and wonderful place that we call home will grow and prosper and be the sort of place that we want to pass on to our children.”

“We must work on better branding identification and recognition for ourselves,” Caldwell said.

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Changes underway at Tri-Cities Airport BLOUNTVILLE – A transformation is happening at Tri-Cities Airport.

The airport has updated branding signage and installed new directional signs. A general aviation expansion project included relocating and placing utilities underground, a building demolition, and grading and paving a new entrance into Tri-City Aviation. The airport welcomed Flight Service which provides flight instruction and ground school classes that teach proper flying procedures, rules, regulations and theory.

Aerospace Park development

The airport also worked closely with regional partners to garner $8.5 million in local funding and $4.1 million in state funding for further development of Aerospace Park, a 160-acre venture which plans to attract aviation-related economic development.

Twenty-one acres are certified as build-ready through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Select Tennessee Certified Sites program. Ten additional acres

are currently being developed and expected to be prepared by late-2018. The $13 million in funding received from local and state sources will allow a significant amount of site development work to be completed.

So what’s next for TRI?

Resurfacing of the long-term parking area was done during the summer of 2018.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Global Entry Enrollment Center is expected to be operational soon, although there’s no official word when it will be open to the public.

A new passenger boarding bridge on Gate 6 is operational and the airport will be replacing the passenger boarding bridge on Gate 5 in 2019.

American Airlines and Allegiant Air.

The airport also plans to install a 90 x 90 general aviation hanger in 2019 as well. Terminal roof replacement is in the planning stages, and that construction will most likely happen in 2020, according to airport spokeswoman Kristi Haulsee.

The airport is governed by a 12-member Airport Authority represented by Washington and Sullivan counties in Tennessee, Kingsport, Johnson City and both Bristol, Tenn., and Bristol, Va. Interim Airport Authority Executive Director David Jones leads an airport staff of about 40 full-time employees and more than 20 part-time employees.

What services does the airport offer?

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The airport offers commercial air service, general aviation service, and air cargo facilities for Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Kentucky. Passenger flight service happens with Delta Air Lines,

The airport property covers 1,250 acres, with its centerpiece being a 119,000-square-foot passenger terminal building housing airlines, national car rental brands, a restaurant/bar and gift shop.

For nearly 18 years in a row, the airport has been awarded a certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

Sullivan County the perfect place for nature lovers

By Holly Viers

If you’re looking for an outdoor lover’s paradise, you’ve come to the right place.

Sullivan County offers countless opportunities for its residents and visitors to enjoy the outdoors. To experience the region’s beauty for yourself, take a trip to one of the county’s many parks, some of which are featured below.

Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium Located in Kingsport, Bays Mountain Park is a 3,550-acre nature preserve that is home to a 44acre lake, a Nature Center, an adventure ropes course with a 310-foot zip line and several animal habitats, which feature wolves, bobcats, raptors and reptiles.

The park also includes 38 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and sight-seeing. From a relaxing stroll around the lake to the challenging hike up to the park’s fire tower, Bays Mountain offers something for every skill level.

While you’re there, be sure to check out the planetarium, a $1.3 million theatre that features a 40foot dome, 6.1 surround sound and a Carl Zeiss ZKP-4 star projector that reproduces the night sky in precise detail. The planetarium shows different feature presentations throughout the year, and tickets are $5 per person.

Warriors’ Path State Park

With 950 acres full of plants and wildlife, Warriors’ Path State Park in Kingsport is one of the most popular recreational destinations in the county.

Located on the shores of the Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River, the park was named for the Great Cherokee War and Trading Path and remains a pathway for modern-day outdoor enthusiasts.

Those looking for a causal stroll can enjoy the park’s Duck Island trail, a mile-long paved trail that offers sweeping views of the park’s hills, lake and wooded areas. For those looking for more of 24

FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

a challenge, the park offers 11 miles of hiking trails and 12 miles of mountain bike trails, which are also open for hiking.

The park also offers several options for boating and fishing and is home to an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a nationally recognized golf course, several picnic pavilions, horse stables and a Boundless playground, where children of all physical and mental abilities can play together.

Kingsport Greenbelt

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a peaceful nature walk or bike ride, look no further than the Kingsport Greenbelt. The linear park stretches across the city for nine miles, connecting shopping centers, restaurants, neighborhoods, schools and other locations.

Several entry points are scattered along the trail, allowing for easy access to the Greenbelt from a variety of locations. Once on the Greenbelt, you will pass by streams, marshlands, meadows and an abundance of vegetation. You might also catch a glimpse of some native wildlife, including squirrels, geese and other birds.

The Greenbelt is not just a walking trail, though.

It offers several other features, including fishing piers, picnic shelters, boat ramps, a children’s playground and outdoor fitness equipment.

Steele Creek Park

On the eastern end of the county lies Steele Creek Park, which spans more than 2,200 acres. Located in Bristol, Tennessee, the park is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. year-round, and admission is $2 for cars and $10 for buses.

The park offers something for the whole family, including a playground, exercise stations, a ninehole disc golf course, a splash pad and the Steele Creek Express, a replica of a steam-engine train that takes guests on a scenic journey by the park’s 52-acre lake. There are also trails for walking, hiking or biking.

While at Steele Creek, don’t forget to check out the Nature Center, free with park admission. The two-story, 5,000-square-foot facility features live animals and educational displays that showcase the history and natural beauty of the park.

Borden Park

Recreation lovers will be sure to find something to do at Borden Park, a 17-acre neighborhood park in Kingsport. The park is open from dawn to dark, except when it’s scheduled for events.

The park offers an asphalt basketball course, horseshoe pits, multiple playground areas for children and six lighted tennis courts. It also includes an arboretum, a community building, barbecue grills, park benches, a paved walking trail and an 18-hole disc golf course called the Eagle’s Nest.

Several new features were recently added to the park, including eight new swings, a treehouse-style playground structure, two new picnic shelters, two solar-powered phone recharging stations and a three-person, maypole-type swing.

Boatyard-Riverfront Park

Located along the Holston River, Boatyard-Riverfront Park in Kingsport is a 19-acre community park that serves as one of the access points to the Kingsport Greenbelt. Like Borden Park, Boatyard-Riverfront Park is open from dawn until dark, except when scheduled for events.

In addition to Greenbelt access, the park includes playground equipment, historic markers, a swinging bridge connecting to Long Island and a flatboat replica. Barbecue grills and picnic shelters are also on hand for family gatherings.

Dogwood Park Sullivan County also offers recreation opportunities specifically for dogs, including Kingsport’s Dogwood Park. Located adjacent to Hunter Wright Stadium (home of the Kingsport Mets baseball team), Dogwood Park is a 3-acre, membership-only facility that’s divided into two sections, with a 6-foot high vinyl-coated chain link fence.

A half-acre is set aside for small or elderly dogs, and the rest is designated for large dogs.

The park includes several features for pets and their owners, including restrooms, water fountains, doggie waste stations, park benches and dog agility equipment.

An annual registration fee is required to use the park, and all dogs are required to be up-to-date on vaccinations. A maximum of two dogs per owner is allowed in the park at one time.

The park doesn’t just provide a view of the river. It also offers opportunities for boating and fishing, with two boat ramps and fishing piers.

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SULLIVAN COUNTY STATISTICS AND FACTS Population

Sullivan County: 156,667 Kingsport: 52,806 Bristol, Tennessee: 27,109

Percent of population by age group Under 25: 28.1 percent 25-44: 27.7 percent 45-64: 29.5 percent Over 64: 18.6 percent

Family income Sullivan County Total households:

Median household income. . . . . . . . . $44,068 Income Less than $15,000 . . . . 16.42 percent $15,000 to $24,999. . . . . . . . . . 12.86 percent $25,000 to $34,999. . . . . . . . . . 11.69 percent $35,000 to $49,999. . . . . . . . . . 14.94 percent $50,000 to $74,999. . . . . . . . . . 17.75 percent $100,000 to $124,999. . . . . . . . . 6.16 percent $125,000 to $149,999. . . . . . . . . 3.35 percent $150,000 to $199,999. . . . . . . . . 2.70 percent $200,000 and Over. . . . . . . . . . . 2.95 percent

BRISTOL

Bristol is actually two cities that meet at the state line between Tennessee and Virginia.

Bristol, Tenn., in Sullivan County, has a population of 26,705 (2013), while Bristol, Va. has a population of 16,960 (2016).

Bristol Tennessee’s population breakdown is: Under five years of age. . . . . . . 4.5 percent 5 to 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.4 percent 18 to 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.4 percent 25 to 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.1 percent 35 to 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.3 percent 55 to 64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.8 percent 65 and over. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.5 percent Average annual precipitation is 41 inches Annual average snowfall is 15 inches The two Bristols combined cover more than 45 square miles

Government types

It has zoning regulations for homes, business and industry Bristol, Tennessee’s current annual budget totals $106.3 million Source: US Census and City of Bristol

Family income Bristol, Tennessee Median household income. . . . . . . . $40,943 Income Less than $15,000 . . . 16.52 percent $15,000 to $24,999. . . . . . . . . 13.97 percent $25,000 to $34,999. . . . . . . . . 12.97 percent $35,000 to $49,999. . . . . . . . . 17.62 percent $50,000 to $74,999. . . . . . . . . 17.55 percent I$75,000 to $99,999. . . . . . . . . . 9.30 percent $100,000 to $124,999. . . . . . . . $125,000 to $149,999. . . . . . . . $150,000 to $199,999. . . . . . . . $200,000 and Over . . . . . . . . . .

4.55 percent 2.60 percent 2.24 percent 2.69 percent

U.S. Census

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

Land area: 413.4 square miles Highest elevation: 4,309 feet

Bristol Tennessee has a city manager/elected city council form of government

KINGSPORT

Climate Source: Visit Kingsport

Sullivan County: County Commission Kingsport: Board of Mayor and Aldermen Bristol, Tennessee: City Council

Population – 52,806 (US Census) Under 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 percent 18 and under. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 percent 65 and older. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.8 percent

County Zoning – Yes

Land area – 50 square miles

Property tax rate $1.975 per $100 of assessed value

Industrial Development

Sullivan County Industrial Development Board and NETWORKS, Sullivan Partnership Bond Rating - “AA” debt rating by Moody’s

Climate

Average high: 68.9 degrees Average low: 45.2 degrees Average precipitation: 3.58 inches a month Average snowfall: 12 inches a year Source: sullivancountytn.gov, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, United States 2016 Census, U.S. Climate Data

Source: City of Kingsport

Elevation: 1,212 feet Government type – City manager/Board of Mayor and Aldermen Law enforcement – Kingsport Police Department Zoning regulations – yes Bond rating – Aa2 (Moody’s); AA (Standard and Poor)

Average temperature 58 F Precipitation: 41.3 inches Snowfall: 18 inches

Average temperature 58 F Precipitation: 41.3 inches Snowfall: 18 inches Family income Kingsport, Tennessee Total households: 23,615 Median Household Income . . . . . . . $37,465 Income less than $15,000. . . . . 13.7 percent $15,000 to $24,900. . . . . . . . . . 11.7 percent $25,000 to $34,999. . . . . . . . . . 11.7 percent $35,000 to $49,999. . . . . . . . . . 14.4 percent $50,000 to $74,999. . . . . . . . . . 18.6 percent $75,000 to $99,999. . . . . . . . . . 12.1 percent $100,000 to $124,999. . . . . . . . 7.93 percent $125,000 to $149,999. . . . . . . . . 3.9 percent $150,000 to $199,999. . . . . . . . . 3.4 percent $200,000 and up. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 percent Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year Profiles; U.S. Census Bureau

26

FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

SULLIVAN COUNTY STATISTICS AND FACTS BLUFF CITY

Population: 1,733 Bluff City’s population breakdown is: Under 25 years of age. . . . . . . 31.1 percent 25-44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30.1 percent 45 to 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.1 percent Over age 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.8 percent Land area: 1.54 square miles

Average high temperature: 77 degrees Average low temperature: 46 degrees Average precipitation: 3.5 inches a month Average snowfall: 12 inches a year

Cost of Living

Family income Bluff City, Tennessee Median household income: $39,896

Kingsport, Tennessee cost of living is 87.20.

Grocery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99.3 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Housing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Income less than $15,000. . . . . . . . . . 19 percent $15,000 to $24,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.29 percent $25,000 to $34,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.12 percent

Elevation: 1,450 feet

$35,000 to $49,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.58 percent

City Budget: $1.76 million Board of Mayor and Aldermen form of government Bluff City Police Department

$50,000 to $74,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.46 percent

Zoning: Yes

$150,000 to $199,999. . . . . . . . . . . . 1.72 percent

$75,000 to $99,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.47 percent $100,000 to $124,999. . . . . . . . . . . . 5.02 percent $125,000 to $149,999. . . . . . . . . . . . 1.22 percent $200,000 and over. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.12 percent Source: US Census Bureau, State of Tennessee

Bestplaces.net’s cost of living indices are based on a U.S. average of 100. An amount below 100 is cheaper than the U.S. average.

Bristol, Tennessee cost of living is 84.20.

Grocery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99.3 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Housing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Sullivan County, Tennessee cost of living is 86.60.

Overall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Grocery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99.3 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Housing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Utilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

SULLIVAN COUNTY’S TOP 10 LARGEST MANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS 1. Eastman Chemical Company. . . . . . . . . . . . 6,800 Employees 2. BAE Systems*. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850 Employees 3. Robinette Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350 Employees 4. Domtar Paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 Employees 5. Bristol Metals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310 Employees 6. Home Shopping Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305 Employees 7. Bell Helicopter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300 Employees 8. Modern Forge of Tennessee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 Employees 9. Aeronautical Accessories, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Employees 10. Silgan Packaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Employees * BAE Systems is located in the Hawkins County portion of Kingsport.

Source: NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership FACT BOOK JANUARY 27 2019

SULLIVAN COUNTY STATISTICS AND FACTS TRANSPORTATION

Sullivan County may be known for its forests, lakes, beautiful mountain scenery, and country lifestyle, but offers urban transportation amenities, from both the ground and the air.

Not only does Interstate 26 begin in Kingsport, it also intersects with Interstate 81 in Kingsport, making the region an important crossroads for the federal interstate system.

MAJOR ROADWAYS:

TRI-CITIES AIRPORT Thanks to Tri-Cities Airport, travelers in Sullivan County are just one transfer from almost anywhere else in the world that they would like to go.

TCA is located in unincorporated Blountville, a short drive from I-81, and serves about 425,000 passengers on average every year.

As of 2018 three commercial airlines fly out of TCRA including: Delta Air Lines: Flies daily shuttles back and forth from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

American Eagle: A branch of American Airlines, American Eagle flies daily shuttles back and forth to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Allegiant Air: Flies shuttles to and from two regional airports in Florida - Orlando Sanford International Airport; and St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport. Allegiant has two flights per week to both locations.

TCA also has general and private aviation on the property, as well as a flight school.

TCA isn’t an international airport, but it does have international capabilities including a U.S. Customs port for cargo. TCRA also has Foreign Trade Zone designation. FTZ designation allows goods to be landed, stored, handled, manufactured, or reconfigured, and re-exported under specific customs regulation and generally not subject to customs duty.

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FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

INTERSTATE 26 I-26 begins at the Tennessee and Virginia border in Kingsport and follows a southeast path 306 miles, ending at US 17 in Charleston, S.C. INTERSTATE 81 I-81 begins in Dandridge, Tenn. at the I-40 intersection just east of Knoxville and goes north 854 miles, ending at the Canadian border near Syracuse, N.Y. OTHER FEDERAL HIGHWAYS IN SULLIVAN COUNTY On the Virginia side of the state line where I-26 ends is US 23 which extends north through Southwest Virignia, and into metropolitan areas including Ashland, Ky.; Columbus, Ohio; Perrysburg, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio; Ann Arbor, Mich.; and ending at Mackinaw City, Mich.

The northernmost interchange on I-26 is with US 11-W (Stone Drive) in Kingpsport. US-11 is a federal highway that begins at the Viriginia State line in Bristol, and extends 111 miles west through Kingsport to Rogersville, Bean Station, Rutledge, and ends in Knoxville.

US 11E (Volunteer Parkway) connects Bristol, Bluff City, Piney Flats and Johnson City where it intersects with I-26.

A nine-mile section of US 421 passes through the Bristol, Tenn. area. U.S. 421 is 941 miles long and begins at Fort Fisher, N.C., moving northwest to Michigan City, Ind.

SULLIVAN COUNTY HIGHWAY SYSTEM Sullivan County has 884 miles of unincorporated county roads.

Within the county road system there are 63 thoroughfares, or what the county calls “collector roads,” encompassing 147 miles.

There are 1,989 named roads in Sullivan County.

County Roads are defined in classes, and in Sullivan County there are 337 miles of “First Class” roads, or roads that are at least 24 feet wide.

There are 374 miles of Second Class Roads which are at least 18 feet wide.

There are 137 miles of Third Class Roads which are at least 14 feet in wide.

There are 34 miles of Fourth Class Roads which are at least 10 feet wide.

STATE HIGHWAYS: Sullivan County also has 195 miles of state highways. Among Sullivan County’s main state highways are: Rt. 92 (John B. Dennis Highway) which connects Kingsport with Greeneville.

Rt. 75 which connects Blountville to Gray in Washington County, and Limestone in Greene County.

Rt. 126 (Memorial Boulevard) which connects Kingsport, Blountville and Bristol.

Rt. 36 (Fort Henry Drive) which connects Kingsport, Gray and Johnson City.

Rt. 394 which connects 11-W near Bristol with I-81, as well as the Volunteer Parkway near Bristol Motor Speedway, and ends at US 421.

SULLIVAN COUNTY STATISTICS AND FACTS UTILITIES ELECTRICITY AEP Appalachian Power 1-800-967-4237 Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES) 423-968-1526 BrightRidge (formerly Johnson City Power Board) 423-952-5000 NATURAL GAS Atmos Energy 888-286-6700

ELECTIONS

Elections in Sullivan County are overseen by the Sullivan County Election Commission.

large school board members and a juvenile court clerk.

County residents who want to vote need to register at the election office in Blountville in the Sullivan County Offices Building, 3258 Highway 126, Suite 103, Blountville, Tn., 37617.

In Kingsport, a new mayor will be elected along with three aldermen and three school board members.

In Tennessee, voters do not register by party.

Tennessee does hold an early voting period for municipal, county, state and national elections.

Municipal elections will be held in 2019 in Kingsport, Bristol and Bluff City on May 21. In Bluff City three aldermen will be elected while in Bristol two at-large council members will be elected as well as two at-

LOCAL TAX STRUCTURE PROPERTY TAX RATES In Tennessee, cities and counties apply property tax rates at 25 percent per $100 of assessed value for residential property and 40 percent per $100 of assessed value for business and industry.

Sullivan County: $2.55 per $100 of assessed value Bristol, Tenn.: $2.16 per $100 of assessed value Bluff City: $1.28 per $100 of assessed value Kingsport: $1.97 per $100 of assessed value

SALES TAX RATES City, county and state combined sales taxes: (Tennessee’s sales tax rate is 7 percent)

For answers to frequently asked questions go to http://www.scelect.org/voterfaq.html Contact the election office by calling (423) 323-6444 or emailing admin@scelect.org.

More information is available at www.scelect.org Source: Sullivan County Election Commission

TELEPHONE Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES) 423-968-1526 CenturyLink 423-378-0050 Charter 833-267-6097 (Kingsport) or 423-650-4258 (Bristol) WATER City of Kingsport 423-245-1019 City of Bristol 423-989-5677 WASTE COLLECTION City of Kingsport 423-229-9451

Bluff City: 9.25 percent Bristol, Tenn.: 9.25 percent Kingsport: 9.50 percent Sullivan County: 9.25 percent Hall Income tax rate: 4 percent (Does not apply to salaries and wages but to most income from stocks and bonds) Excise Tax: 6.5 percent of Tennessee taxable income Franchise Tax: .25 percent of the greater of net worth or real and tangible property. Minimum $100.

State unemployment tax: Wages subject to tax: $8,000. Minimum rate -- .01 percent, maximum rate -- 10 percent

City of Bristol 423-989-5685 Waste Management 423-323-7143 Advanced Disposal 423-538-3888

Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, Tennessee Office of the Comptroller FACT BOOK JANUARY 29 2019

Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway ready for thrilling 2019 season There are plenty of thrills and excitement awaiting motorsports fans at Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway in 2019. Two marquee NASCAR Monster Energy Cup races will once again lead the way, as the Food City 500 in April and the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race in August will showcase the 40 best stock car drivers and cars on the planet. Many of the young stars of the future will take to the high banks in late May for the Short Track U.S. Nationals. And for those of you who enjoy straightline action at more than 300 mph, NHRA’s best will invade Bristol Dragway for the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Father’s Day weekend. There’s literally something on the menu for every type of gearhead and auto racing enthusiast. To find out a little more about speedway races in 2019, read on below.

Food City 500, April 5-7

The Food City 500 is the cornerstone event of the spring race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, and one of the most anticipated events on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule.

Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&Ms machine is the defending winner of the Sunday afternoon event.

Meanwhile, NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers get their first dose of short-track racing in 2018 when 30

FACT BOOK JANUARY 2019

the Series hits the track on Saturday afternoon.

Last year’s winner was Ryan Preece.

The future stars of NASCAR also will showcase their talents during a doubleheader afternoon, when the Zombie Auto 150 K&N Pro Series takes the green flag. You won’t want to miss this exciting race which featured rookie sensation Todd Gilliland make his way to Victory Lane one year ago.

You’ll have plenty of racing to enjoy on Friday when Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and XFINITY drivers hit the high banks for a full day of practice. Friday also will feature exciting Bush’s Beans Pole Day where Monster Energy Cup Series drivers will participate in knockout qualifying to set the field for the Food City 500.

Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race, Aug. 15-17

The campfires, the laughs, the racing, the music, the sights, smells and the ability to check one of NASCAR’s must-do events off your bucket list.

Fierce clashes and heart-stopping finishes are hallmarks of the most popular race in NASCAR, and if history is any indication, the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race is guaranteed to entertain guests with yet another epic battle inside the Last Great Colosseum!

Before the best drivers in NASCAR suit up to rumble on Saturday night, the future stars of the sport mix it up on Friday night in the Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race. To whet everyone’s

racing appetite, two races are held Thursday evening in a great family night of entertainment. You won’t want to miss a second of the racing action in the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics Gander Outdoors Truck Series Race and the popular Bush’s Beans 150. Oh yeah, don’t forget that kids under 12 are free with a paid adult.

Last year’s winners included Kurt Busch on Saturday night during the 500-lap Monster Energy Cup Series race, Kyle Larson in the Xfinity Series 300 lap race on Friday night and Johnny Sauter in the UNOH 200 on Thursday night.

You’ll want to make sure you are here in August to take in the great atmosphere, fireworks and action-packed side-by-side racing. There’s nothing quite like watching NASCAR’s best battle on the all-concrete high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway under the lights.

As Dale Earnhardt, Jr., once exclaimed from Victory Lane: “It’s Bristol, Baby!”

Don’t delay, get your tickets now!

Tickets for all major events at Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Dragway are on sale now. It’s as easy as a click on your computer or picking up a phone and giving the BMS Ticket Sales Center a call. To order tickets online, please visit www.bristolmotorspeedway.com. If you prefer to talk with a BMS ticket sales associate, please feel free to call toll free at (866) 415-4158.

FACT BOOK JANUARY 31 2019

Eleanor

Down syndrome, Surgery, Leukemia At seven months old, Eleanor has battled more health issues than most adults. Born two months early with Down syndrome, she faced stomach surgery at just two days old and spent the first month of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Niswonger Children’s Hospital.

“It was hard being away from her when she was in the NICU but the nurses and doctors were amazing,” says Elizabeth. “They made us feel like our daughter was their main priority which gave me peace of mind when I had to go home and couldn’t be with her.”

Then, one week after Eleanor was released from the NICU, she was diagnosed with leukemia, sometimes associated with Down’s, and was back at the hospital to begin pediatric oncology care.

Now home and happy, Eleanor visits Niswonger Children’s Hospital monthly to see her pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Anjali Malkani, and makes another monthly visit to see a pediatric oncologist to monitor the leukemia.

“It’s a blessing to live so near the hospital,” says Eleanor’s mother, Elizabeth. “There are so many great doctors here specializing in just what she needs. They are truly invested in taking care of your child. I would tell other parents in our situation to have no worries about your baby’s care — they are getting the best care they can get.”

Niswonger Children’s Hospital In 2004, our region embraced a vision to serve our children and help them build healthier futures through the creation of a children’s hospital. Now a reality, Niswonger Children’s Hospital provides care for the more than 200,000 children living in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. We work every day to be the place that makes kites fly, to help and heal the young people of this region — and, ultimately, to make hope rise.

400 N. State of Franklin Road Johnson City, TN 37604 423.431.6111 • balladhealth.org/children