NEWPORT-The Cocke County Economic Development Commission approved its 2009-10 budget, officers and board of directors during a meeting Thursday afternoon in the Newport Community Center.
The budget for 2009-10 is a total of $521,000. The budget includes the Chamber of Commerce, EDC and Tourism departments.
The Chamber budget is for $137,000, the EDC $281,600 and the Tourism budget $103,000.
"This is in line with the budget you originally approved last year before you cut $50,000 in an effort to help the county," said Sherry Butler of the EDC.
"The county realizes that last year's cut was a one-time thing and this budget will not have a draw-down," said Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan Jr.
"Tommy (Bible) made it clear last year that we were able to do that because we were short a president," added Chairman Keith Ketterman. "This year we aren't short."
Cocke County's contributions to this year's budget are projected at $379,000.
Bible and Butler pointed out that interest payments on the spec building were not included in the budget figures because payments are being funded currently through a lease to Lisega.
In other business, upon a recommendation of the Nominating Committee, Keith Ketterman was approved as chairman of the EDC for 2009-10, Tommy Bible as vice-chairman, Richard Harwood as secretary and Ron Fugatt as treasurer.
The board of directors for the coming year include Keith Ketterman of National Bank of Tennessee, Tommy Bible of Jefferson-Cocke County Utility District, Richard Harwood of Newport Federal Bank, Newport City Administrator Scott Collins, Tip Williams of US Bank, Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan Jr, CLB Chairman Phil Killion, CLB member Henry Gregory, Newport Mayor Connie Ball, Newport Alderman John Bugg, Parrottsville Mayor Ronnie Hommel, Greenbelt Member Jim Graham, Ron Fugatt of Newport Utilities, Dr. Patti Ketterman of Mercy Health Partners/Baptist Hospital of Cocke County and Truitt Ottinger of Tennessee State Bank.
Executive Committee members include Ketterman, Bible, Harwood, Iliff, Fugatt, Ball, Hommel, Patti Ketterman and Graham.
In her report, Butler advised members of the Connected Tennessee meeting recently at Parrottsville Elementary School. She said Connected Tennessee has asked for assistance in collecting more data on what areas of Cocke County are served by broadband Internet. Surveys are to be sent out with Newport Utilities bills to collect information.
Butler also advised members on improvements to the railroad spur at Phoenix Closures and reported that the environmental study is being done for Exit 438 on Interstate 40.
Finally, Butler said efforts are under way to upgrade the Partnership's Web site and added she will be attending a Webinar next week to learn about new ways of attracting potential customers through use of the Web site.
Collins and Anne Williams were recognized for their recent completion of the Basic Economic Development Course in Nashville.
Before adjourning, McMahan urged members to monitor to the state General Assembly's Web site as to bills being passed during this "tough" fiscal year. McMahan said some proposed legislation puts more burden on the counties and that by monitoring the sites they can voice concerns to state General Assembly members.