Tag: migration
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Kingsport in the 1890s, the Bridge Between the Boat Yard and the Model City: The E.C. Barnes Story
Many know Kingsport as the “Model City” incorporated in 1917, but it didn’t happen from a blank slate with a big bang. Before the planned city, there was a thriving riverport community. King’s Port (or Boat Yard) was settled in 1761, incorporated in 1822, and faded after the Civil War as railroads replaced boats as…
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Welcome to Northeast Tennessee, America’s First Frontier
I was asked to provide a welcome and introduction of “Carrollyn, The Recovering Californian” at the Tennessee Planning Convention held at MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort. The conference was hosted by the State of Franklin Chapter. Nearly 200 attendees came from Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and all points in between. I saw many of you at…
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Beyond ‘We’re Full’: Understanding the Complexities of Population Growth
“We’re full”. It’s a quick comeback from Tennesseans frustrated with the rapid rate of newcomers gobbling up housing inventory. But are we? It depends on what part of the state you’re in. Let’s look at the most recent population trends released in 2023 (for 2020-2022). Natural increase is defined as births exceeding deaths. The places…
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Catalyzing Kingsport: Strategic Responses to Demographic Shifts
Reflecting on the past year prompts us to delve into the underlying rationale behind the inception of the Move To Kingsport program, which began 24 years ago, predating the seismic shifts caused by the pandemic-driven “Great Relocation”. It was a proactive response by community leaders who foresaw our region grappling with a recurring issue seen…