The Newport Plain Talk

Even during a slowing economy, there are multiple construction projects underway in Cocke County to the tune of more than $6 million dollars value, and job creation.

By February, a new rent-to-own concept business opens off Cosby Highway in Newport. A White pine businessman has acquired franchise rights for Aaron's sales and lease ownership business. Hale Construction of Morristown began project work in early October.

Bill Jenkins, partner in the franchisee Pinnacle Group LLC, said he expects the 6,600-square-feet business to be open in mid February. "Hale is to complete the building and have it ready to occupy in January," he said this week.

Jenkins and business partners purchased the former Kyker property located next to Movie Gallery and Merita bread wholesale outlet. The site was excavated during the summer.

"We plan to have 12 Aaron's stores in five years. And 25 stores within 10 years," he said.

Although there are Aaron's stores in Greeneville and Morristown, these are not owned by the Pinnacle Group, he said. Their next project will be in Jefferson City followed by an Aaron's in Rogersville.

Jenkins said that Aaron's is a strong brand name and great company with about 1,600 stores in the nation of which 500 are franchise operations.

"We match prices, have great selection and quality brands. I got attracted to Aaron's because of the way they treat their customers. It's a premium rent-to-own company," he said.

"The city officials and their cooperation have been great. Walt Cole and others, they're the reason we are here. We looked at other locations," said Jenkins.

The largest of projects underway is the new $4.3 million Holiday Inn Express also located off Cosby Highway about one mile south of the future Aaron's home. And next to Newport Pediatrics and Lowe's will be the dentist offices for Dr. Micah Westmorland and his wife, Christel Westmorland.

Dr. Micah Westmorland said he anticipates being in the new facilities by the end of March. It will be a full-service dental office. "We do everything except braces." They are currently leasing space from Dr. David H. Sutton and have been for about four years.

The four-story Holiday Inn Express is being by D&S Builders, of Sevierville, on land between the Waffle House and state Department of Transportation garage. Blaylock Construction is completing the site excavation, which includes additional building space close to Cosby highway.

The motel is expected to be completed by August 2009. Best & Associates are the architects and financing was provided by Tennessee State Bank.

Brockwell Construction Company recently completed the excavation work for the new Westmorland dental offices to be located on one of two large lots behind Newport Pediatrics.

Harold Spencer, superintendent with Hickory Construction, said the project is well underway. Hickory, of Alcoa, specializes in building dental offices and uses subcontractors familiar with this type construction.

Brockwell Construction also did the site excavation and preparation for the new $1.3 million Newport Housing Authority (NHA) main offices, said Wayne Ellison, owner of Brockwell.

NHA Executive Director Leon Bryant said the new building structure and components would arrive about Nov. 24. McSpadden Contractors, of Dandridge, is building the office.

NHA has utilized current old facilities since about 1975. The new office will be about 8,500 square feet on one level and built in three phases.

"We hope to occupy the new offices by mid summer of 2009," said Bryant. He said that NHA commissioners are also keen to include solar panels as a way to cut heating and cooling costs and be environmentally conscious. Recently, commissioners broke ground off Lennon Circle on NHA property.

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