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Cocke Partnership meet
Members of the Cocke County Partnership Board of Directors met Thursday and were brought up to date on current activities. Partnership President Lucas Graham reported that three new prospective projects have recently expressed an interest in locating in Cocke County, as the economy improves. With regard to the proposed 700 acre industrial park, Graham said a proposed rail spur bridge over Sinking Creek would have a "pretty steep" price tag of $2.5 million. He said an alternate financing plan may make the project feasible. He also reported that two prospective firms are interested in locating in the new site. "The amount of activity in the office has skyrocketed in the last month to six weeks. It's just been unbelievable," he told the board. Project Adventure and Project Data, he said "would be a very big deal for us". The projects would feature outdoor activities, that may be televised, and would rely on local, state and federal incentives. Fiber and recently developed incentives, he said are positives for recruiting jobs. "Alot of this I would account to Newport Utilities efforts on fiber and broadband. that has really opened the door. They are technology driven investments, and the hope is that once fiber is in place the surrounding companies would come in to benefit off this substantial industry. It's a niche that no one else has picked up on in this region". He went on to say two other possible industrial sites are under study. One would be privately owned, using the Partnership to market the acreage. Graham reported that the EDC site has been upgraded, but the tourism and chamber sites are lagging because of the new web site design. Although there are lots of positives for the recruitment of jobs, there is concern with the federal budget proposed by President Donald Trump. It would end Appalachian Regional Commission grants as well as Community Development Block Grants, which in the past have contributed to local economic development. "I'm really hoping that the president comes up with an alternative instead of just cutting these programs," Graham said. "They are very critical to rural communities and economic development. the help in various ways and we rely on them to get us to where we need to be. If they are cut out, and not replaced with similar assistance, I would be very disappointed." Tourism Director Linda Lewanski reported that the Jeep Fest is planned for April 28&29 at the Cocke County A&I Fairgrounds. also the Kiwanis Ramp Festival is scheduled for the fairgrounds on May 12&13 and Del Rio also is planning a Ramp Festival in May. A media tour is planned to promote businesses that are continuing to operate despite last year's wildfires. Lewanski said she is continuing to research the possibilities for more walking and biking trails, including a possible TVA grant under a pilot program to promote pedestrian projects. The recent Douglas Lake Clean-Up as part of the Great American Cleanup, was coordinated by Keep Cocke County Beautiful and resulted in the collection of 197 bags of trash from the lake bottoms. Chamber Director Lynn Ramsey reported that the February Industry and Educators meeting was successful in opening new lines of communication in efforts to prepare students for the workforce. Appalachian Service Project has signed a three year contract to use Centerview Elementary School. The organization coordinates visits by church groups who work to upgrade the homes of area indigents and seniors, during the summer months. A Business Smart Start event is planned for the first week in May, which is Small Business Week. Bruce Hayes with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center will coordinate the event. The chamber coordinated a March 21 event to allow local high school seniors to earn their volunteer hours that are required under the Tennessee Promise program. The students volunteered for the day doing cleanup work at the Fairgrounds, and plans are to make that an annual event.
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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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