City of Kingsport names new Economic Development Director

The City of Kingsport is pleased to announce the selection of its new Economic Development Director – Steven Bower.

As director of the Kingsport Office of Economic Development, Bower will work to advance Kingsport’s economic development efforts under the direction of the City Manager and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Created in 2019, the Kingsport Office of Economic Development has as its purpose to organize, plan, direct and integrate the city’s economic development programs and services for the betterment of the city, its residents and businesses.

“Since joining our team in 2022, Steven has been a key player in many economic development projects, thus gaining a tremendous amount of respect from the development community for his ability to see each project through to completion,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “I’m confident Steven will bring that same tenacity, as well as his desire to see Kingsport succeed, in his new role.”

Bower served in the Tennessee National Guard as a Calvary Scout from 2015 to 2021. Bower attended East Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor of Political Science degree and a Masters of Public Administration.

While in graduate school, Bower interned with the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Public Service. Over the past three years Bower has worked in various capacities within the Kingsport Office of Economic Development, including as an Economic Development Specialist since July 2022.

In addition, Bower serves on the boards of the Downtown Kingsport Association and the Kingsport Inventor Center.

“I’m honored and humbled to have been selected as the city’s next economic development director,” said Bower. “I plan to continue the work done by my predecessors and will strive every day to keep up the economic momentum we’ve seen in Kingsport in recent years.”