KINGSPORT – The time of the Kingsport BMA Work Session session for Monday, October 31st, 2011 has been moved forward from 4:30 to 4:00pm. As always, the BMA work session will be held in the Council Room located on the Second Floor of Kingsport City Hall 225 West Center Street.
Children who are suspected of being developmentally delayed, learning disabled, physically impaired, hearing and/or speech impaired, health impaired, multi-disabled, autistic, or gifted and reside in Kingsport may be eligible for services. A continuum of services is provided based on the students individual needs. These educational needs are determined by a multi-disciplinary team which includes the parent(s).
Parents who have questions or need more information about the available services should contact Kathy Parham, Kingsport City Schools Child Find Coordinator at (423) 378-2172.
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Primarily, the Small Business Fall Night School provides free training, networking opportunities, group problem-solving and collaboration and access to financing to small business owners and entrepreneurs for start-up and expansion.
The workshop is offered free of cost, but registration is required.‚
Four classes will be featured at the Fall Night School: Free Tools & Resources, Finding Capital for Start-up & Expansion, Small Business Certifications and information Especially for Women Business Owners.
Free Tools & Resources: Attendees will explore and learn a wide variety of free tools and resources available online. There will also be a demonstration of the new KOSBE website highlighting each stage of the business life cycle. The free tools and resources discussed will range from the business plan templates, free business listings, the TSBDC Small Business Survival Training Guide, social media channels and effectiveness, free news release distribution services and more. Facilitated by Marybeth McLain, small business services marketing manager, KOSBE.
Finding Capital for Start-up & Expansion: In this class attendees will learn how to get their businesses bank ready to secure financing. In addition, attendees will learn the difference between grants and loans such as the USDA Microloan Program for Rural Entrepreneurs and Business Owners, SBA-backed federal government loan, the Export Express loan program, the Patriot Express loan for veterans and their families along with other opportunities through non-traditional lenders. Facilitated by
Small Business Certifications: Attendees will learn how to apply for certifications in the following areas: women-owned, veteran-owned, TDOT and disadvantaged enterprises. Facilitated by Wilcox.
Finally, we will conclude our night with a session Especially for Women Business Owners. In this class, attendees will learn the Five Steps to Business Freedom. Every business goes through stages as they mature. ‚ The Five Steps to Business Freedom is a concept for business owners to use as they evaluate and plan for the future of their companies to ensure greater profitability and greater freedom for the owners.‚ Facilitated by Kathy Richards, business coach and owner of AdviCoach. Richards ‚ was recently named, AdviCoach Franchisee of the Year. Men are also welcome to attend.
The Small Business Fall Night School is designed with new and existing businesses and entrepreneurs in mind (including home-based), however, retirees seeking a second career, part-time workers wanting to supplement their income, upper class high school and college student are encourage to participate.
The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Advanced registration is required and must be received by Friday, November 11. Anyone interested can‚ register online at kosbe.org or call (423) 392-8825 for more information.
It is the intent of KOSBE to be the go-to organization in the Tri-Cities for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. In partnership with Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC) at ETSU, KOSBE can more effectively serve the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For a complete listing of services, tools and resources, visit kosbe.org.
The cooperative agreement between KOSBE and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBAs funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the state of
To schedule your‚ free confidential counseling appointment in a private setting by TSBDC-certified counselors in person, online by phone or e-mail call Marybeth McLain at (423) 392.8825 or e-mail, mmclain@kosbe.org.‚ ‚
For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office and your Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), visit tsbdc.org and kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8825. Were social too; follow us on Facebook, Kosbe ‚¬ The Small Business Connection, Twitter, @KOSBEConnection, LinkedIn group, KOSBE – The Small Business Connection and our YouTube Channel, KOSBEConnection.
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KINGSPORT ‚¬ Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is bringing its latest restaurant prototype, dubbed Beefs 2.0, to Kingsport in late 2011 or early 2012 at the new Food City Shopping Center in downtown Kingsport.‚
The new
We’re going to be the place where families, local sports groups and friends can come together and enjoy great bard in a dynamic environment, said local owner,
In addition to the refreshed prototype,
Regardless of the national economy,
In the past twelve months or so, 16 new
In Kingsport, Beef ‚¬O Bradys will be offering a re-engineered menu that features its famous wings, St. Louis-Style ribs with Sweet Baby Rays‚® barbeque sauce, grilled shrimp available as a main dish or as a salad, a build your own Angus burgers option, affordable mix-and-match dessert combinations and more.
Beef `O Bradys is perhaps best known for its Buffalo chicken wings, created by founder Jim Mellody as he expanded on the original concepts beef and sandwich menu roster, while also pumping up the “kid appeal” of this unique concept by featuring a moderately priced kids menu and video games.
The company, headquartered in
KINGSPORT Harvest of Hope Community Garden is inviting the public to join them for their first ever Harvest Celebration on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the garden, located at
Harvest of Hope is a collaborative effort between the
Community gardens represent a growing trend in
This particular garden provides fresh produce for several local bard kitchens and bard pantries, as well as local residents and consists of 39 raised beds, two of which are wheelchair assessable, and anyone is welcome to plant, tend plots and volunteer.
Planting beds are assigned each season, with committed HOH veteran gardeners first, then newcomers on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The mission is multifold, with the first priority being to assist by providing healthy bard to those in need and provide opportunity for those who are hungry to grow bard for themselves and their families, with all gardeners asked to be willing to share their harvest with the hungry.
Beyond that, the
The coalition further hopes to promote community building and friendship all though the simple task of tilling and tending the earth.
We have an array of folks helping sponsor the garden, but there is always room to grow, says the
In addition, garden coordinators are hopeful of that other neighborhoods will become interested in starting community gardens elsewhere in the City.
For more information, to volunteer or contribute, or apply for a raised bed, please contact Salyers at the
There is also a blog to keep up on the latest garden happenings at http://hohkingsport.blogspot.com
KINGSPORT – Water service will be interupted on Monday, October 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the area of West Carters Valley Road from Harrison Avenue to North Holston Drive to permit water line work. Residents are asked to take necessary precautions including turning off hot water heaters. As always, motorists are asked to use the utmost caution in the work zone.
KINGSPORT – Eastman Chemical Company has taken steps to redevelop a former textile plant adjacent to its main campus, recently purchasing Borden Mill, a 37 acre industrial property just off
Corporate officials say their plans for the site are not final; however, they do not anticipate the site will be used for manufacturing.
“We do not expect to use the property for manufacturing purposes, said Parker Smith, vice president and general manager of Worldwide Manufacturing Support and Quality. This large piece of property will provide us with opportunities for additional growth right next to our plant site. ‚ At the moment, we are continuing to discuss how best to use the facility going forward, but we have no firm plans at this time.”
Borden Mill was constructed in 1924 by the Borden family, founders of American Printing Company in
Just 10 years later, by 1934, all the
By the late 1940s, according to TENNESSEE — A Guide to the State, Borden Mills was producing 900,000 yards of cloth a week and employed 1200 people.
Later in its history a succession of owners operated the facility, including JP Stevens (JPS Textiles) and finally Chiquola Fabrics, who purchased the plant in 1999, later closing the plant in 2003.
Densely wooded
I cannot imagine a more fitting reuse for Borden Mill than redevelopment for Eastman, City Manager
KINGSPORT ‚¬ Three avid electric vehicle enthusiasts will be on hand Sunday from 2‚¬4 p.m. at the new Shelby Street garage electric vehicle charging stations and offering static displays of their personal vehicles — a Nissan Leaf, Plug-in Toyota Prius (consisting of a much larger than stock battery pack), as well as a high-performance Tesla Roadster — as part of the national Plug-in Day sponsored by Plug-in America.
Electric Vehicles have arrived in
Hrivnak also hopes to have a version of the new Chevrolet Volt on hand as well, if possible, to demonstrate the latest in extended-range hybrid vehicles.
What was once an automotive enthusiast niche mostly populated by environmental activists, engineers and tinkerers, such as Hrivnak, himself an engineer, is rapidly going main stream with a number of new hybrid and all‚¬electric models focusing on efficiency, and yes, even performance.
The benefit, according to Hrivnak and Plug In America, is a move towards helping
The event is sponsored by Plug In America, which was formed in January 2008 to raise public awareness and advocate for plug-in transportation, as well as the Sierra Club. Inspiration for PIA came from a number of earlier campaigns, including several that focused on saving early electric automobiles, which were often lease-only vehicles, from the scrap heap, as well as efforts by groups such as the non-profit Electric Auto Association.
At least 26 cities across the country are participating in the event, although
Kingsport City Manager
Under a grant program with
We realize that from a cost perspective, meeting our citizens need for services consumes a great deal of fossil fuel at a high annual cost to taxpayers,
Property taxes fund about half of all general city services, including K-12 education, police protection, fire and emergency services, development services, recreation and street maintenance.
Our city staff continues to place its strongest focus on providing the best possible services at the lowest possible cost, enhancing residential value and creating an attractive environment for jobs and industry, City Manager
In all, $31.29 million in tax statements were mailed on October 1, with more than 60 percent of that sum paid by commercial businesses and industry. Utilities are assessed separately by the state of
City taxes are now due, and payable without penalty through November 30th. Payment may be mailed or paid in person at the City’s
Mailed payments must be postmarked on or before November 30th to avoid penalties. If paying in person, taxpayers are encouraged to make their payments early in order to avoid long lines which tend to develop closer to November 30th deadline.
Property taxes become delinquent beginning December 1st and incur a penalty of 2 percent on that date. Taxes remaining delinquent on January 1st will incur an additional 2 percent penalty, with a further 1 percent penalty accruing monthly thereafter until paid in full.
Our citizens have an awesome track record of supporting their local government on a timely basis,
In addition, seniors above age 65 or greater, persons rated totally and permanently disabled, or veterans with a 100 percent service-related disability, may qualify for property tax relief on their 2011 property taxes.
For those aged 65 or greater or those who are totally and permanently disabled, qualifications for the program require an annual total income of $26,830 or less (including spousal income) based on calendar year 2010 income sources. Disabled veterans or spouses of a deceased disabled veteran also may be eligible for assistance on their 2011 property taxes, without having to provide income amounts.
To enroll in the Property Tax Relief program, applicants must bring their City property tax notice, proof of 2010 income, Social Security Card, Medicare Card, and deed information if they are new property owners.
New qualifying applicants must pay their property taxes in full and subsequently will receive a reimbursement from the State of
If you have not received a tax statement, have any questions concerning your property tax bill or want to discuss property tax relief eligibility, please phone the