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Partnership and EDC meet
The Cocke County Partnership and Economic Development Commission, met Thursday evening, the groups heard from Partnership President Lucas Graham. He recently had announced that two private schools were looking to locate in Cocke County. The plan he said was for the schools to offer specialized vocational training geared to the needs of regional manufacturers. Often a prospective industry does not want to be identified until the move is finalized. Some industries are concerned that an early announcement will provide an advantage to a competitor, or that a release of their name will result in other communities trying to recruit them. Some firms also do not want their name released out of concern that research into their background will raise red flags regarding their viability. Graham told the bodies that one of the private tech schools which had hoped to locate in the former NPI building has decided against locating in Cocke County. “We happened to lose a very significant project when it was close to closing. That was due to people talking that should not have been. I should have kept it in the office more than it was. Folks that did not know what was going on made comments trying to find out what was going on, and that killed a really big deal for us. Someone called the school 'interrogating' to find if it was the school interested in our community, as a result the deal is not dead. It light of that we will become alot more strict on what comes out, particularly on anything that has to do with industry." Graham declined to name the private school, but did say the development is very disheartening. "Everybody knows how much that would have meant to have that opportunity," he told the commission. He went on to say as a result of the development, project negotiations will not be made public in the future until the appropriate time. The president also said one of his priorities is to recruit a tech or higher education school for the community. Graham announced that a downtown marketing study is underway to determine the best way to promote the downtown. Chair Glenn Ray reported that 2,000 people attended last weekend's Ramp Festival sponsored by the Newport Kiwanis Club. Plans are to continue the event next year. About 300 motorcyclists are expected at the Hartford Citgo on May 24. The cycles are expected to stop for refueling at about 1:30 pm as they participate in the Run for the Wall. Work is underway to replace the roof on the future home of the Hatfield's and McCoy's Distillery on Main Street downtown. Chamber Director Lynn Ramsey and Tourism Director Linda Lewanski announced that they will provide a bag of local marketing items to every new business in the community in an effort to recruit them as members of the Chamber of Commerce. Efforts also are continuing on planned bike trails locally. Graham said the plan is to bring in cyclists from up to 250 miles away.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
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