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GDP Reflects the Economic Strength of Tri-Cities
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is a key measure of a local economy’s health, representing the total value of goods and services produced within a specific area. It provides insight into economic growth, business activity, and overall financial well-being. While the Census tracks population and demographics, GDP serves as a measure of economic output and business…
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Kingsport’s Workforce: Living Here, Working Everywhere
Many of us remember when Kingsport was a commuter town—factories were built, and people came here to work. For many, securing a blue-collar job with a steady paycheck was the ultimate goal. Each morning, a steady stream of headlights flowed into town, and at day’s end, taillights disappeared as the whistle signaled the workday’s close.…
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Southeast Georgia vs. Northeast Tennessee
I recently spent time in Savannah, Georgia, and was surprised to find that its metro population (640,193) is comparable to the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area (598,800). Despite similar population sizes, living in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Tennessee offers distinct experiences shaped by differences in climate, lifestyle, and cost of living. Each region appeals to…
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Do We Still Need Newcomers?
It’s no secret that the death rate exceeds the birthrate in every jurisdiction in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, but we’re not alone. According to a March 2024 report from the Census Bureau, 69% of U.S. counties now have more people passing away than being born. However, 60% managed to counterbalance those losses through positive…
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Update on Kingsport Housing Market
In an effort to stay abreast of the local housing market, here are two recent articles from the City of Kingsport and the Kingsport Times-News. Kingsport experiences steady growth in new housing construction Residential permits lead in Kingsport for start of 2025
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Finding the Right Fit: Relocating to Tennessee
When I meet someone from out of state considering a move to Tennessee, I often find myself helping them organize their thoughts. They know their home state well but don’t always understand how it compares to Tennessee. Just as I’ve learned where Brentwood, Melville, Farmingdale, Greenwich, Morristown, and Bridgewater fit into the 22-million-person New York…
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Kingsport Now Offers On-Demand Transit for All
One of the key advantages of living in a small city like Kingsport is easy access to public transportation. In smaller towns or suburban areas, residents often face limited transit options, relying on friends, neighbors, or infrequent rural services. In contrast, larger cities may offer more extensive transit networks, but they can also be more…
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Move to Kingsport – January 2025
The Move To Kingsport program was one of several initiatives launched following the 1999 Economic Summit. It was among five non-traditional economic strategies designed to help the city navigate significant downsizing in domestic manufacturing, a sector crucial to Kingsport’s industrial heritage. The other four strategies focused on higher education (notably a downtown campus), tourism (including…
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A Southerner’s Take on Europe
Somehow, my social media feed has been flooded with British takes on America and Americans—many of them reconsidering deep-seated stereotypes. One of the more common ones? That Americans don’t travel internationally much. But as some Brits are discovering, there’s a reason for that: the sheer scale of the U.S. They explain to their friends back…
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Kingsport Spirit 