Gov. Bill Lee to speak at free event

JOHNSON CITY — Business, community and faith-based organizations, government and higher education leaders will come together Tuesday, Sept. 10, to discuss current trends, challenges and opportunities facing the region as well as the benefits of increased collaboration and united efforts.

The Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia Regional Economic Forum, hosted by East Tennessee State University in partnership with Bank of Tennessee, Bristol Motor Speedway and Eastman, will be held at the Millennium Center from 12:30-4:30 p.m. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person.

“Our university’s founding mission is to improve the lives of the people of this region, which is why it is only fitting that ETSU would host an event bringing together stakeholders to benchmark where we are as a region and to discuss the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead as we unite our efforts toward regional economic growth,” noted ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland.

Gov. Bill Lee is among those scheduled to participate in the forum. His talk will outline opportunities for the region as well as other rural areas of Tennessee. Mark Costa, chairman and CEO of Eastman, is also scheduled as a panel participant and to offer closing comments. Additional speakers include Mark Fuller, founding chairman and CEO of Rosc Global, to outline key factors needed for communities to be globally competitive and outline a strategic framework that focuses on the regions’ unique capabilities. President Noland will join Dr. Jon Smith, director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at ETSU, to report on regional profiles and trends. Attendees will also hear an update on regional cooperation efforts between Bristol TN/VA, Kingsport and Johnson City/Jonesborough/Washington County chambers of commerce, as well as an update from the Blue Ribbon Task Force.

The agenda includes a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Donna Henry, chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Panelists are Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway; Mark Costa, chairman and CEO of Eastman; William B. Greene, Jr., chairman of BancTenn Corp; Alan Levine, chairman and CEO of Ballad Health; and Scott Niswonger, founder of Landair.

A complete agenda is available on the event website at www.regionaleconomicforum.org.

The forum is free and open to the public. Seating is limited so registration is required. To register, visit www.regionaleconomicforum.org. The livestream will be available at etsu.edu/regionaleconomicforum.

For more information, email info@regionaleconomicforum.org.