OUR REGION

The Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional Industrial Development Association (NETVRIDA) covers 13 counties, 10 in Northeast Tennessee, and 3 in Southwest Virginia. The region is strategically located with access to three major Interstates: I-26, I-40 and I-81 and is within a day’s drive of 70 percent of the U.S. markets. Containing a total population of over 791,000, the area has a healthy inventory of industrial parks, sites and buildings to fit the needs of business prospects.

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More Than Just Three Cities

The NETVRIDA region includes the Tri-Cities TN-VA Consolidated Statistical Area centered around the cities of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol. Home to Eastman Chemical Company, a Fortune 500 corporate headquarters, the Tri-Cities area is internationally known for high quality products and corporate innovation. In addition to a strong manufacturing employment base, health care and education are important core sectors for the Tri-Cities.

To the west of the Tri-Cities located along the Interstate 81 corridor are Greene, Hamblen, and Jefferson Counties, combining to form a second major manufacturing center in the region. Approximately 25% of the workforce in Hamblen County is employed in manufacturing. Supported by a pro-business environment and providing considerable attention to existing industries, the NETVRIDA region has much to offer prospective companies.

JOHNSON CITY

Founded in 1856 by Henry Johnson as a railroad station called “Johnson’s Depot,” Johnson City became a major rail hub for the southeast, as three railway lines crossed in the downtown area.

Now, strategically located in the economic center of Northeast Tennessee, Johnson City led the area’s population growth, retail sales, and employment over the past decades. The 2013 population for Johnson City was 65,123, making it the ninth-largest city in the state of Tennessee. It is ranked the #14 “Best Small Place for Business and Careers” in the USA by Forbes. Kiplinger ranked Johnson City #5 in “The 10 Least-Expensive Cities For Living in the U.S.A.”, stating the low cost of living is attributed to affordable homes and below-average utility, transportation and health-care costs.

EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is located in the heart of Johnson City and is home to approximately 16,500 students. It offers 112 Bachelor programs and 75 Master programs, including one of the country’s select few fully accredited graduate programs in storytelling. It also is the only university in the world with a comprehensive bluegrass music program. ETSU boasts a College of Pharmacy and the James H. Quillen College of Medicine.

DOWNTOWN JOHNSON CITY

Downtown Johnson City is a vibrant place with great restaurants, shopping, urban living, office space, culture, entertainment, and a unique history. Tremendous redevelopment has taken place in downtown Johnson City over the past several years, bringing new investment, activity, and growth. Superb dining can be found in downtown, with options such as German, Mexican, Southern and Italian. With over 15 locally owned restaurants, you will find a diverse cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner catering to every taste and price range.

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Bristol

Strategically situated in the Southeastern United States, Bristol (Tennessee) and Bristol (Virginia) are twin cities located directly on the Tennessee-Virginia state line. The boundary between the two cities runs along their common downtown district.

TEN GIGABIT COMMUNITY

Ultra high-speed fiber optic connections in the Bristol, Tennessee service area provide some of the fastest Internet service available in the United States with speeds of ten Gigabits per second available to every business and every home in the area serviced by Bristol, Tennessee Essential Services!

BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Twice a year 160,000 race fans flock to Bristol Motor Speedway to enjoy the spring and summer NASCAR races. The Bristol Dragway hosts championship drag racing and is sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association. The racetrack also hosts a “Fantasy in Lights” during Christmas.

BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC

Bristol is recognized by the Country Music Association as the birthplace of country music. The first commercially and nationally successful country music stars, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family, made their first recordings in Bristol. Many organizations in the Bristol area host concerts and showcase exhibits to highlight this noteworthy aspect of the community.

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Kingsport

Kingsport is located northwest of Johnson City and is bordering Virginia. The city of Kingsport is one of the first planned cities in the United States. It carries the nickname “The Model City” from this plan, which organized the town into areas for commerce, churches, housing and industry. Kingsport is commonly included in what is known as the Mountain Empire, which spans a portion of Southwest Virginia and the mountainous counties in Tennessee to the east. The name “Kingsport” is a simplification of “King’s Port”, originally referring to the area on the Holston River known as King’s Boat Yard, the head of navigation for the Tennessee Valley.

EASTMAN

Kingsport is home to the Fortune 500 Eastman Chemical Company. Founded in 1920 and based in Kingsport, Tennessee, the company now has more than 40 manufacturing sites worldwide and employs approximately 15,000 people.

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SURROUNDING AREAS

The NETVRIDA region not only includes Johnson City, Bristol and Kingsport but other interesting cities like Morristown, Elizabethton and Erwin. Furthermore visitors to the region are often surprised by the richness of its natural resources. Blessed with mild seasons and natural beauty, within 30 minutes from working in an urban setting one can be hiking or biking up to a mountain vista or boating on a pristine lake, such as Watauga Lake, which is entirely surrounded by the 655,598 acre Cherokee National Forest.

Roan Mountain State Park in Carter County is among the prettiest places in America – it has the world’s largest springtime rhododendron bloom along with stunning views that attract photographers from around the world. In addition, the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail runs through the region including its highest elevation. The region’s national parks and forests provide two million acres of protected nature in the Southern Appalachian mountains and foothills. Friends and family who love the outdoors will enjoy life here!

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