The ribbon cutting will be held near the intersection of Gibson Mill Road and Stone Drive at the newly constructed roundabout. Please park in surrounding areas by the nearby medical office buildings.

The newly constructed road features the roundabout, which leads towards a new bridge built to improve access to Holston Valley Medical Center.

The project began in part as a joint City-Wellmont Health System traffic study, funded by Wellmont, to look at improving access to their campus. At the same time, long-term desires to improve downtown access. This resulted in the Watauga Roundabout project as one way to improve accessibility and traffic flow back in 2002.

The project kicked off in October 2007 with the work at the Watauga Roundabout.

Project costs to date, including Watauga Roundabout and work being completed this week is about 4.2 million

Holston Valley’s investment in the bridge/roadway project includes: upgraded campus utilities, dual-fiber optic feeds from the hospital to the outpatient center, significant additional parking spaces to support the campus and high-quality landscaping that continues on to Castle Drive and West Ravine Road that provides an excellent first impression of Holston Valley. The total project investment from the hospital is $ 7.3 million.

Holston Valley’s bridge is 275 feet long and the total bridge and roadway length is approximately 1,400 feet in length.

“We deeply appreciate the patience of Gibson Mill residents who had to bear the daily disruption in their lives while construction was underway,” Mayor Dennis Phillips said Wednesday. “But now that the project is complete, residents, Holston Valley Medical Center patients, their friends and family, and others who use this road as a vital link to downtown and the hospital can look forward to a much safer and much improved drive.”

“As I have said all along, this is a project that is probably 40 years past due,” City Manager John Campbell said. “Clearly, it will smooth traffic flows into Holston Valley Medical Center, and serve as a major entry corridor to downtown Kingsport and the hospital alike. At the same time, the new Gibson Mill corridor is clearly more aesthetically pleasing for motorists. And, this project is a great example of a public-private partnership, working jointly with Wellmont to produce a final product that everyone can be proud of while being brought to completion essentially on-time and on-budget.”

The purchase of the Boys and Girls Club property and the removal of that building provided the necessary space for our bridge, roadway as well as necessary additional parking for our outpatient center and hospital.

The dedicated grand entrance should reduce traffic traveling through the adjacent neighborhoods which provides a much safer environment for children at play, home and property owners, as well as pedestrians and normal through traffic.

“This is prime example of a strong and successful private/public partnership. Through this effort that started a few years ago, we now have a $114 million-plus investment by the hospital for its expansion and renovation, a new, safe and beautiful road by the city and a new, relocated Boys & Girls Club thanks to the strong support of the city and business community,” said Dr. Marvin Cameron, Holston Valley board chairman.

The next phase will repave from Mill Pond to Watauga roundabout and raise the bridge on Gibson Mill Road to allow the Greenbelt pedestrian walkway to pass underneath. This will eliminate Greenbelt users having to cross at-grade as the currently do… $2.5 million to 3 million project … going out to bid in Spring 2011.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800. We’re social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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The award was presented recently at a Kingsport Chamber’s After Hours event sponsored by WorkSpace Interiors and SageBrush Steakhouse.

"We are very proud and honored to have presented this most-deserved honor to Doris Bush," said Vickie Snodgrass, Kingsport Chamber Leadership Programs director. "Doris is a tireless and dedicated community leader with a heart of gold and is held in such high regard and admiration by everyone in the community.”

Sponsored by CenturyLink, the Kingsport Leadership Program’s Distinguished Leadership Award is presented annually to an alumnus of Leadership Kingsport who has exhibited outstanding leadership to the Kingsport community. A committee of Kingsport Leadership Programs nominate a graduate or multiple graduates who have achieved excellence. Graduates of leadership programs who exemplify the spirit and goals for civic involvement and trusteeship established by your local leadership organization are eligible for this award and selection and criteria are at the discretion of the member organization submitting the nomination.

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Utilize skills and abilities to positively impact the community.

SKILLS SUMMARY

Directing and Managing non-profit organizations, Training, Facilitating, Project Development, Event Planning, Board Development, Leadership Development, Volunteer management, Visioning, Fund-Raising, Resource Development, Problem-Solving, Public Speaking

Doris’s community involvement includes:

Colonial Heights Baptist Church

• Stephen Ministry
• Personnel Committee
• Family Life Center Planning Team
• Youth Sunday School Teacher
• Baptist Women President
• WMU (Women’s Missions) Director
• Women’s Retreat Coordinator

Education Efforts

• Education 2010 (Regional Education Program) Member
• Sullivan County Education Grants Committee Member
• Foundation for Excellence in Public Education in Sullivan County Member
• Active involvement in children’s school PTA’s including Miller Perry Elementary PTA Board of Directors President, Colonial Heights Middle School PTA Member and Sullivan South High School PTA Board of Directors
• Furman University Student Volleyball Association Member

Rotary Club of Kingsport

• 2009-10 Board of Directors
• Paul Harris Award Recipient
• Program Chair
• Membership Development Chair
• Coordinated development of History Timeline for 85th Anniversary Celebration

Junior League of Kingsport

• 2010-11 Board of Directors Sustainer Advisor
• 2009—Coordinated History Celebration (History Timeline…) for 50th Anniversary Celebration
• Served as Sustainer Advisor for various committees
• Provided motivational talks for Provisional Classes
• 1991—Sustainer Award for Outstanding Active Recipient
• 1989-90 President
• 1990—Vision 2010 Community Focus Group Facilitator
• Communications and Arrangements Chair, Secretary, Vice-President

Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Community Project Member

Kingsport Leadership Programs oversee three leadership programs of the Chamber of Commerce. The Leadership Programs are sponsored by Holston Valley Medical Center; Eastman Chemical Company; American Electric Power; Eastman Credit Union; Kingsport Times-News; Bank of Tennessee; Citizens Bank; First Tennessee Bank; Indian Path Medical Center CenturyLink; Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes; Burton Trading and AGC Flat Glass.

The mission of Leadership Kingsport, is to develop leaders who give life to community dreams.

The other two include the youth leadership program, S.H.O.U.T.!® (Students Helping Others Understand Tomorrow) and the program, ENCORE Leadership, for participants over the age of 50.

For more information on Kingsport Leadership Programs, call (423) 392-8816 or visit www.kingsportleadershipprograms.com.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800. We’re social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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Brown was active throughout her high school career being a member of various student organizations and clubs. They include: Anime Club, Spanish Club, Beta Club, the National Honor Society, German Club and Journalism for the Dobyns-Bennett Arrowhead.

In addition, Brown has earned high placements on the National Spanish Exams and was a TN/VA Scholar as a freshman and sophomore.

Brown has also been involved within her community as well. She volunteers several hours a week with Fire Escape, a Christian night club in Kingsport, and volunteers at her church, Grace Church.

At the age of 18, Brown has shown immense responsibility and determination. She was employed by Nick’s Restaurant since 2008 averaging thirty hours a week until recently. As the economy slowed, Brown picked up her second job working at Pelican Financial Group averaging twelve hours a week to supplement working the weekend shifts at Nick’s.

Brown will be the first member of her family to graduate from college. She has overcome hardships in her life which have made her mature beyond her years and has made her self-sufficient and self-sacrificing.

Brown’s mother is disabled and has never worked outside the home. Brown’s parents divorced when she was three years old. Brown, her older sister and mother have an unbreakable bond and are truly each other’s pillars of support.

Coming from meager means, Brown understands the importance of working and saving money. She has paid off her car in full, makes her own car insurance and cell phone payments as well as helps with the household bills.

Brown is ranked in the top percentile of her senior class and has maintained a 3.7 grade point average. She plans on attending East Tennessee State University this fall where she will pursue a degree in nursing. Her goal is to be the first person in her family to graduate from college, make a successful life for her and support her mother and sister.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce awards its Santa Train Scholarship to a graduating senior attending high school along the Santa Train route that runs from Kingsport to Pikeville, Ky.

Recipients are chosen based upon grade point average, financial need, extracurricular activities, work records and an advisor’s recommendation. Brown is the twenty-seventh recipient since the first scholarship was awarded in 1989.

Co-sponsored by the Kingsport Chamber, CSX Transportation and Food City, the Santa Train is an annual 110-mile train journey through Appalachia where volunteers from Kingsport take 15 tons of gifts, clothes, candies and toys to children in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The Santa Train is now in its 68th year and will run Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010.

Started as a way for area businesses to thank their patrons, the train now accepts physical and monetary donations, including only new clothes and new toys. Financial gifts from the public have helped establish the Santa Train Scholarship for students who live along the train’s route.

Please send donations to the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce - Attn: Santa Train – 151 East Main Street – Kingsport, TN, 37660

For more information and/or continuous updates about the Santa Train Scholarship or the Santa Train, please visit the Kingsport Chamber on Facebook, Twitter and www.KingsportChamber.org. Find more on the Facebook fan page, The Santa Train, and on Twitter @TheSantaTrain or call (423) 392-8800.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800. We’re social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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The event was scheduled for this Thursday, August 12 at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport.

Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, Governor Bredesen and Senator Baker regret they will not be able to attend the panel on Civility. Consequently, the panel has been postponed.

Governor Bredesen, who is attending a Bond hearing in New York on behalf of the state of Tennessee, and Senator Baker look forward to the event at a later rescheduled date.

The event is sponsored by Eastman Chemical Company.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, visit www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800. We’re social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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The event is sponsored by Eastman Chemical Company.

Panelists Senator Howard Baker, Governor Phil Bredesen, former Governor Winfield Dunn and Eastman Chemical Company President & CEO James Rogers will be moderated by John Seigenthaler, founding editor of USA Today and founder of the First Amendment Center.

“Panelists will discuss the impact of incivility on the legislative process and the public trust with the idea that increased incivility makes it more difficult to meet the challenges of our nation,” said Nicole Austin, Kingsport Chamber workforce development and government relations director. “Panelist have been asked to help identify solutions to these challenges.” By the end of the evening forum leaders hope to have inspired a new standard for civility.

To view a live webcast of the event, visit http://tinyurl.com/2dveyd8.

The event is free and open to the public.

Please R.S.V.P by Monday, August 9 to Marybeth McLain at mkench@kingsportchamber.org or call (423) 392-8827.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, visit www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800. We’re social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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The competition is open only to legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age at the time of entry, or legally established small business entities carrying on business for tax purposes in the City of Kingsport. Entrants must hold an ownership stake in the business that is the subject of his/her entry. The business profiled in any submitted entry must consist of no more than 150 employees, and the 2009 reported revenue of the business must not exceed $10 million USD.

Application and nomination forms will be available in person at the Office of Small Business located inside the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, at 151 East Main St, Kingsport, TN, or online at www.kosbe.org until 11:59:59 PM EST September 30th, which is the contest deadline. A panel consisting of local and non-local judges will review all submissions and select semi-finalists based on some or all of the following methods: completed application form, telephone interview, in-person interview, video (optional) or oral presentation. The finalists and winners will be announced at a recognition and celebration event on Thursday, December 2, 2010, 6:00 PM—9:00 PM, at BANQ which is located in the heart of Downtown Kingsport in the historic First National Bank Building, at 255 Broad Street—2nd Floor, Kingsport, Tennessee.

SunTrust Bank is the Title Sponsor of the 2010 Annual KOSBE Awards. Top-Tier sponsors include: American Airlines, Brock Services, KNETIC Young Professionals, Pathway Lending, and Wilson Worley Moore Gamble & Stout PC. Media sponsors are Holston Valley Broadcasting Group and Times-News. Award sponsors are Clark & Company Custom Builders, Eastman Chemical Company, KNETIC Young Professionals, Leinbach Services, The Plastic Surgery Center of East Tennessee, Triten Insurance & Financial Services, and WorkSpace Interiors. East Tennessee Eye Care will be this year’s entertainment sponsor. Other event partners include Café Excellence, Divine Café & Catering, Elixir Media Group, Express Signs, Flowers by CopperCreek, GTS Refreshment Services, Holston Distributing, Lake Pointe Advertising & Awards, Pristine Springs, and Urban Synergy.

Organizers for KNETIC, a social and community involvement group for young professionals, have stepped up to sponsor the Young Entrepreneur Award in this year’s KOSBE competition. Although the primary mission of KNETIC is to create opportunities for 20-somethings to 40-somethings who live or work in the Kingsport area to interact socially, the group’s mission isn’t just to have fun. Additionally, they seek opportunities for members to perform community service either through volunteer work or by serving on non-profit boards and committees. This year the KNETIC leadership team will be instrumental in selecting the final winner of the Young Entrepreneur Award.

When KOSBE Executive Director Aundrea Wilcox was asked what is new this year, she replied: “This year we are giving contenders more time to get their applications in. We are accepting applications from August 1st through September 30th, which gives interested applicants 60 days to respond. I hope this early start and deadline extension will mean more video entries, which can really set a small business apart from the competition. Also, when they enter—and when event attendees buy tickets to the celebration event in advance—they get a chance to win myriad door prizes, including a pair of roundtrip American Airlines tickets to anywhere in the USA.”

This year’s awards chairperson, Sonja Whitson, also a Project and Staffing Manager for Brock Services, says the annual awards present a unique opportunity to network vertically and horizontally, as well as publicly recognize the accomplishments of small businesses in our local area, while learning from a highly regarded and respected keynote speaker the secret to unlocking the door to personal wealth and success. “Last year’s guest speaker and Chairman of Knoxville-based Bandit Lites, the second largest lighting hire company in the world, shared the inspirational and educational story of how he (starting at the age of 12) turned a $25 idea into a multimillion dollar business. We are now seeking a presenter of that caliber to address our audience this year.” said Whitson.

Last year several changes were made including the addition of three nonlocal judges (including officials of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the State of Tennessee Economic & Community Development Business Enterprise Resource Office and the U.S. Small Business Administration), the selection of a downtown venue, the consolidation of size categories, and an application fee that includes one free ticket to the awards celebration event. Also, applicants were encouraged (but not required) to submit a 2—minute video meeting prescribed content guidelines along with their paper or online application. All of these changes remain in effect for 2010. Each winner will receive a KOSBE helm award on stage, recognition during Kingsport Chamber and KOSBE events, digital award emblem to display on their company literature and web site, spotlight on Kingsport Chamber and KOSBE web sites, and recognition in the media.

Last year, Edo Sushi Bar & Grill (May Ling Hu-Lai & Benson Lai) took First Place in the category for Young Entrepreneur (under age 40). The owners have been in their new location at the intersection of I-26 and W Stone Drive in Kingsport for over two and a half years, and opened a second location in Johnson City in September 2009. Phil's Dream Pit LLC (Phil & Dianna Pipkin) took First Place for New Business (in operation for at least 12 months but not more than 36 months). In addition to running the restaurant and catering business, Phil’s Dream Pit has begun bottling their Original Sweet BBQ and Sweet Fire BBQ sauces to sell in retail stores. Maxwell Coach Company, Inc. (Charles W. Maxwell) was awarded First Place for Business Excellence Employing Under 10 Employees. Maxwell has four vehicles: a 56-passenger motorcoach, a 50-passenger motorcoach, a 15-passenger van, and a 7-passenger van for business, sports and leisure trips and tours. Clean + Safe Janitorial Services (John Humphries) received the sole award for Business Excellence Employing 10 Employees and Up. Clean + Safe, employing 50 employees, is also known throughout the region as “The Happy Janitors.” In the last year, post-construction cleanup has been the biggest area of growth for the company. This is the second KOSBE Award presented to Clean + Safe. The company was also named a winner in 2005. Joyce Grills (The Haggle Shop) was presented with the Impact Award for an outstanding individual and small business advocate. Debbie Dykes of River Mtn. Antiques & Primitives nominated Joyce Grills because she tells everyone she meets how wonderful downtown is. “Joyce made a point of visiting River Mtn. Antiques often, and checking to make sure that everything was going well for me,” said the new business owner, Debbie Dykes. “She takes the time to talk with people and get to know them. Joyce has been instrumental in helping River Mtn. Antiques get started in our new location. She sees downtown Kingsport as a vibrant business community with a diversity of service and retail merchants.”

Twenty-six additional businesses and two individuals have been previously recognized by the Kingsport Chamber and KOSBE for their contribution to the business community and growth potential:

Past Winners
Elixir Media Group (2008)
Café N’Orleans (2008)
Flowers by CopperCreek (2008)
Lake Pointe Advertising & Awards (2008)
Interim Healthcare of East Tennessee (2008)
Charlie Dotson of TCI Group (2008)
Dr. Jerry Miller of Holston Medical Group (2008)
Discovery Ice Cream (2007)
Trigger Beeler's Salsas & BBQ Sauces (2007)
Tutoring Solutions (2007)
AYP Automotive Service Center (2006)
Greenbelt Bicycle Rentals (2006)
Lucent Glow (2006)
tricitiessports.com (2006)
Clean & Safe LLC (2005)
Landmark GIS (2005)
Max Max Coffee (2005)
Decor Exchange (2004)
Tennessee Valley Manufacturing Solutions Inc (2003)
Professional Industrial Solutions LLC (2002)
Effective Fitness (2001)
MR Cleaners (2000)
Creative Solutions Design Group (1999)
Carter Chiropractic (1998)
Tactical Systems Inc (1997)
Warranty One Mobile Mower Repair (1996)
Wellness Revolution (1995)
Auto Masters (1994)

For more information visit KOSBE's web site, www.kosbe.org, or call (423) 392-8811.

About KOSBE
KOSBE is a nonprofit economic development organization that represents a partnership between the City of Kingsport and the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and a proud Strategic Resource Partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800. We’re social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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This is another test.

Kingsport ChamberZone airs several times a week on CMS (TV-13), Comcast Cable 2 & 14, City of Kingsport's Channel 16 and WAPK/WKPT-TV 19 (ABC).

Kingsport ChamberZone is also ON DEMAND on Charter Channel 998.

Kingsport ChamberZone can also be seen on www.KingsportChamber.org and www.Kingsport.TV and www.MyTown16.com.

Scroll down for a list of show times.

Features on the new episode include:

Kingsport Public Library

Kingsport Public Library Manager Helen Whitaker showcases this Kingsport gem and highlights the Library’s expansion and renovation plans.

“Festus & His Fun Fest Favorites”

Leigh Anne Hoover, author of “Festus & His Fun Fest Favorites,” highlights this wonderful new children’s book that celebrates 30 great years of Fun Fest.

United Way Week of Caring

Brittany Autry, Regions Bank assistant vice president and branch manager and chair of the United Way Week of Caring, previews this important regional event.

WATCH CZ NOW!

Plus catch all of your latest Kingsport Chamber news and events!!!!

The newest edition begins Friday night!

Thanks to Our Sponsors
Eastman Chemical Company
Eastman Credit Union
Hunter, Smith & Davis
MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center
Oak Hill Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations

Thanks to Charter Media for producing the show!

Kingsport ChamberZone Show Times (seen on CMS (TV-13) and Comcast Cable 2 & 14)

Monday
11:00 a.m.
4:30 p.m.

Tuesday
10:30 p.m.

Wednesday
3:00 p.m.
11 p.m.

Thursday
4:00 p.m.

Friday
7:30 p.m. (premiere)

Saturday
7:00 p.m.

Kingsport ChamberZone airs on WKPT-TV 19 (ABC) every Friday at Noon and every Saturday at 2 a.m.

Each original show airs for two weeks.

Kingsport ChamberZone is also ON DEMAND on Charter Channel 998.

Kingsport ChamberZone also runs other times at random on Charter Media, City of Kingsport's Channel 16 and WAPK/WKPT-TV 19.

Kingsport ChamberZone can also be seen on www.KingsportChamber.org and www.Kingsport.TV and www.MyTown16.com.

Please Note: Kingsport ChamberZone is simulcast on Comcast Community 14 in Gray/Johnson City and Comcast Community 2 in Glade Spring/Abingdon daily from noon to 5 a.m. with these exceptions:
8 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in Gray/Johnson City;
5 to 5:30 p.m., 6 to 6:30 p.m. and 11 to 11:30 p.m. Monday to Sunday in Glade Spring/Abingdon.

Previous episodes of Kingsport ChamberZone can also be seen at www.KingsportChamber.org.

For more information on Kingsport ChamberZone or your Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org.

KINGSPORT

Kids of all ages are invited to decorate trash barrels that will be used during FunFest as colorful receptacles encouraging funfesters to help keep events litter-free. The barrels are also used at other city events throughout the year.

Barrel painting begins at 10:00 A.M. and will continue until 12:30 P.M. Judging will begin at 12:45 P.M.

Participants should wear old clothes and bring water-based paint, brushes, stencils, etc. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Awards are given out by age group to the winners of the trash barrels that best represent a fun or green theme. Age groups include: Under 6; 6-8 years old; 9-11 years old; 12-17 years old; 18 and over; and Special Friends. The participant with the best overall barrel will receive the Terry Light Memorial Award.

Walmart in Colonial Heights will provide one can of spray paint per barrel while supplies last.

The event is free and registration is not required. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch.

For more information, contact Keep Kingsport Beautiful at (423) 392-8814 or visit www.keepkingsportbeautiful.com.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber, go to www.KingsportChamber.org or call (423) 392-8800. We’re social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce, and on our Twitter account, @kptchamber.

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