Thursday, February 23, 2017

Cocke County Asset Enhancement Grant
Cocke County and Newport officials met this week with state officials to talk about local resources that contribute to economic development. The meeting was facilitated by Brooxie Carlton, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Rural Development. Carlton said the county, one of 23 designated distressed counties in the state, qualifies for a grant up to $50,000 for a project that completes a short-term goal of the community. She said the state is looking to make sure that an Asset Enhancement Grant will be used for a suitable project, and she said the grant will facilitate the community qualifying for future state grants. The community has pinpointed several high priority goals including; increasing the length of tourist visits, overcoming negative perceptions and highlighting tourism assets and opportunities, identify and develop new industrial sites and the increase of commercial infrastructure at Exits 440 and 447 to attract new retail businesses. Partnership President Lucas Graham said the community has spent $38,000 on engineering studies at the proposed northwest industrial park and three new rail spurs are being considered. According to Carlton, prospective industrial sites in distressed counties in the state, are being evaluated through a Property Evaluation Program (PEP). "We have contracted with Austin Consulting. They come in and look at up to eight sites, and give you a real good report, that says 'forget this site, this is a long term site and this is the site you need to focus on right now'. That opens you up for a site development grant which is our largest grant program right now," she said. Graham also identified several other goals; improvement of landscaping at the I-40 interchanges, use of the former Tanner School as a resource location for tourists(with rehabilitation expected to cost $1 million). Newport Planner Gary Carver said another long-term plan is to modify the Newport Community Center to have the entrance facing the Cosby Road, instead of Prospect Avenue. Director of Tourism Linda Lewanski said a recent $20,000 state grant will be used to hire a consultant to look at new ways to increase the length of the stay of tourists. And she is working with federal park and forest officials in an effort to boost local tourism. There is concern that the national perception is that the Smokies have been destroyed by last year's wildfires and so there is no reason to visit the area. In fact, the group was told that reservations for whitewater rafting are down by 25 percent from last year. David McConnell of Newport Utilities brought the group up to date on the planned offering of broadband. "The first phase will cover the city limits of Newport, routes leading to all county schools and our substations and water pumping and storage facilities. We also will offer broadband to anything within 500 feet of any of those routes," McConnell said. The first phase will provide service to 55 percent of homes and 70 percent of businesses, in the utility's service area. Carlton also talked about a regional entrepreneurship program that is available to encourage local artists.


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