January 2013 - December 2013

2013 ANNUAL REPORT

“Having a vibrant Downtown truly enhances the overall Kingsport

experience for our visitors. It also provides an added benefit to

attendees of events, meetings, conventions and group tours. The

Downtown Kingsport Association's dedication to developing our

Downtown is evident to all of the visitors to our city.”

Jud Teague

Executive Director

Kingsport Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Downtown Kingsport Association (DKA) is a private, non-profit

membership organization 501(c)(6) dedicated to Kingsport’s

Downtown revitalization. Our purpose is to promote Downtown

Kingsport as the “heart” of our community, to strengthen the

economic viability by encouraging business diversity, and to

enhance the unique physical characteristics of historic

Downtown Kingsport. The DKA is coordinated by a full-time

executive director, a Board of Directors, support staff, volunteer

committees, business owners, residents, and community leaders.

Who is the DKA?

To Bring People To the Doors of Downtown Businesses.

Downtown Kingsport Is A Great Place

Mission

Vision

The Downtown Merchants Association

precedes the Chamber of Commerce,

dating back to 1939. After functioning

as a committee of the Chamber, DKA

formed an independent organization in

1974. A professional Director was hired

in the late 1970’s.

History

2013 was a year of transition for the Downtown Kingsport

Association. However, it was also a year of great accomplish-

ments and contributions. Sherri Mosley was selected from a

field of 39 candidates to be DKA’s new Executive Director.

Chasity Carter was hired as our Director of Marketing and

took on an additional role to help launch PEAK, a new young

professionals group sponsored by DKA. Mid-year, we moved

our offices to the heart of Downtown at 229 Broad Street.

In addition to these major changes, we have been very busy

supporting and promoting Downtown Kingsport. These activi-

ties included the following new initiatives and activities:

Two days of intensive training for 12 DKA member compa-

nies on “Achieving World-Class Results” from the Pal’s Busi-

ness Excellence Institute.

Responding to a record-breaking flood in Downtown King-

sport by contributing many hours of clean-up assistance

and raising over $62,000 for the clean-up costs of 31 affect-

ed businesses.

Helping facilitate the formation of PEAK (Professionals En-

gaged in Advancing Kingsport).

Recording two promotional commercials for downtown

businesses that aired on local TV stations.

Inaugural “Holiday Open House Loft Tours” that was at-

tended by over 250 people on a Sunday afternoon in De-

cember.

Introduction of Downtown Loyalty Cards that offered 10%

savings when used at participating downtown merchants.

A Letter From Our President, John Barber Eastman Chemical Company

A one-day whirlwind benchmarking trip to Asheville and

Hendersonville, NC and Greeneville, SC for 21 friends of

Downtown Kingsport to learn about innovative ideas from

some successful downtowns.

Leading a task force to address problems encountered

with downtown parking.

Arranging for four quarterly issues of Sunday Stories to fea-

ture Downtown Kingsport in the Kingsport Times-News

As noted, these were new initiatives and activities. DKA con-

tinued to coordinate and fund the 4th of July fireworks display

and the Christmas Tree Lighting. We also continued to pro-

vide matching funds for downtown advertisement on inter-

state billboards. Our annual membership drive resulted in a

100% increase in membership and $45,000 in funding for

many of the 2013 initiatives.

You can see that your DKA has been quite busy in the revitali-

zation and promotion of Downtown Kingsport. It has been my

pleasure to be part of it by serving as President of the Associa-

tion for the past two years. It has given me the opportunity to

get to know and work with some of Kingsport’s finest citizens

and to make many new friends. I sincerely thank Sherri Mos-

ley and Chasity Carter, our Board of Direc-

tors, and our volunteers, donors, and part-

ners for their support and contribution. I am

confident that together we will help Down-

town Kingsport fulfill its potential as a Desti-

nation Downtown.

Main Street

Four Point Approach

The DKA is a member of the National Main Street Program

under the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Kingsport was

first recognized as a Main Street community in 1985. The City of

Kingsport provides monetary and service support to the DKA

to carry out the association’s mission. Currently, the DKA is

recognized as a state and national Main Street program.

The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a unique

economic development tool and also the foundation

for local initiatives to revitalize their districts by

leveraging local assets—from cultural or architectural

heritage to local enterprises and community pride.

The four points of the Main Street approach work

together to build a sustainable and complete

community revitalization effort.

Organization establishes consensus and cooperation by building

partnerships among the various groups that have a stake in the

commercial district.

Organization

Members: John Barber, Beverley Perdue, Kim Wilson, Penny Gray,

Lisa Williams, Shaunda Blackwell

Achievements

Coordinated annual board retreat and training.

Held successful membership drive & increased membership by

100%.

Partnered with Regions Bank & Fun Fest for Mardi Gras Downtown.

Successfully organized Fundraising Events:

Masquerade Ball—Annual Fundraiser

4th of July Fireworks Celebration

Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration

Developed search committee for new executive director position.

Moved offices and rebranded DKA

Organized search committee for Annual Awards & hosted DKA

open house.

2013 DKA Annual Membership Meeting & Open House

Kim Wilson

First Tennessee

Christmas Tree Lighting 2013

Masquerade Ball

Board Retreat

Fourth of July

Penny Gray

Community Volunteer

Lisa Williams

MSHA

2013 Organization Co-Chairs

Design means getting Main Street into top physical

shape and creating a safe, inviting environment for

shoppers, workers, and visitors.

Design

Painting Downtown

Members: Rob Beverly, Julie Gunn, Bonnie Macdonald, Leslie May,

Cindy Saadeh, Lynn Tully and Angela Vachon

Achievements

Consulted with property owners to show before and after render-

ings of their buildings

Worked on parking garage art (banners and benches)

Coordinated heritage trail re-enactments

Organized and implemented the “pARTy in the heART” Art Festival

Hosted and implemented a Flower potting day program

Assisted with and collaborated on the Center Street road diet,

Positive Parking Forum and the directional signage for the Higher

Education Center

Had input on the grant submitted to TDOT to add bulb-outs on

Market and Commerce and New and Commerce.

Heritage Trail Reenactment

2013 Design Co-Chairs

Cindy Saadeh

Cindy Saadeh Fine Art

Bonnie Macdonald

Kingsport Cultural Arts

Plant Potting Day

Pocket Park Sketch

pARTy in the heART flyer

Promotion takes many forms, but the goal is to create a positive

image that will rekindle community pride and improve consumer

and investor confidence in the commercial district.

Promotion

Members: Anissa Kittrell, Corey Shepherd, Emily Macbeth, Hannah

Musselwhite, Jacki Ewing, Jeff Fleming, Melissa Goins,

Molly Noseworthy, Taylor Rutherford, Tracy Morelock

Achievements

Developed Downtown Loyalty Card with 28 participants.

Coordinated monthly Cash Mobs to selected businesses.

Organized and implemented window decorating contests.

Established first annual Holiday Loft Tours.

Partnered with Off the Waugh Productions to produce two

Downtown Kingsport commercials.

Orchestrated the Downtown Kingsport Holiday Open House

1st Place Window Decorating Contest

Cash Mob at Bloom Boutique

2013 Promotion Chair

Jacki Ewing

Owner, Charmed Southern

Ribbon Cutting at Star Trails Downtown

Holiday Loft Tour Ticket

Holiday Open House Billboard

2013 Loyalty Card

Economic restructuring strengthens the community’s existing

economic assets while diversifying its economic base.

Economic Restructuring

Members: John Vachon, Jeff Frazier, John Barber, Corey Shepherd,

Jeff Fleming, Pam Mahaffey, Russ Bralley, Kathy Richards, Jeffrey

Stoner, Dan Wernick

Achievements

Coordinated and implemented the first “Pal’s BEI –Creating a

Downtown of Excellence” class for 12 Downtown Kingsport

Merchants.

Created a Downtown Building and Business Inventory

Worked with Times newspaper to offer Downtown Merchants an

exclusive rate and run a quarterly Sunday Stories Issue dedicat-

ed to Downtown Kingsport.

Proposed Gateway Arts District to be tied in with KHRA’s Choice

Neighborhood Initiative

Submitted 6 Community Improvement Project applications to

the Leadership Kingsport class for 2014

Coordinated a bus trip to Asheville, Greenville and Henderson-

ville for 20 colleagues to gather ideas to bring back to our com-

munity.

2013 Economic Restructuring

Co-Chairs

John Vachon

Urban Synergy

Jeff Frazier

Eastman/RCAM

2013 Pal’s BEI Class Graduates

I <3 Downtown Kingsport t-shirts

The Flood of July 2013

Day after the flood— Market

DKA fed over 50 flood cleanup volunteers

Lift Up Downtown Kingsport

Over 65 businesses were affected in the core of Down-

town

37 applications were submitted for funding relief and

awarded over $61,000 total.

$332,105 was requested to the DKA Flood Committee

Flood clean up expenses = $71,205

Inventory loss = $158,706

Restoration cost = $102,194

Flood Relief Committee: John Barber, Beverley Perdue,

Brad Hoover, Eddie Simmers, Ed Baldock, Ken Frolich

Downtown Kingsport Christmas Tree Lighting

DKA Events

“As a (new) small business owner there are many unseen

hours that go into building a successful business, leaving little

time for “networking”. The DKA provides me with resources

and marketing opportunities that have helped me grow

my business beyond the levels I could have obtained on my

own. The overwhelming response to events marketed by

DKA and the exposure my business has received as a result

of my affiliation with this organization, validates how im-

portant the DKA is to our local businesses and to the revitali-

zation of Downtown Kingsport. “

Christy Hudson Owner, Bloom Boutique

Keep Kingsport Beautiful and Boehm Landscape, Inc. strive to

recognize properties which set pos-itive examples for beautification

and cleanliness.

DKA was awarded the

Re-development award in June. .

TN Main Street Manager “Todd Morgan” Tour

DKA Bowling Team at Junior

Achievement Bowl-A-Thon

Jeff Fleming

Assistant City Manager

“Downtown is the heart of any community -- it’s everybody’s

neighborhood. DKA works tirelessly to promote downtown

merchants, organize events, and create a fun, vibrant

atmosphere. I am thrilled about the positive direction Downtown

Kingsport is headed under the leadership of DKA and cannot

wait to see what the future holds.”

Social Engagements: Our social engagement platform will serve as an opportunity

for members to network, both personally and professionally, with fellow PEAK constit-

uents, as well as unwind from the rigors of the workweek.

Civic Volunteerism: The focal point of this component will be the continual improve-

ment and growth of Kingsport through volunteer efforts. We live and/or work here;

therefore we have an innate responsibility to serve in some capacity as stewards to

the Kingsport community.

Professional Development: PEAK will be comprised of a diversely talented constitu-

ency, however there is always room for improvement. Through guest speakers and in

-house training the aim of this component is professional growth.

Regional Networking: Engaging other young professional organizations throughout

our region will allow PEAK, as well as individual members, to establish symbiotic rela-

tionships with like-minded groups.

Talent Recognition: PEAK ‘s Talent Recognition initiative will serve as an internal

headhunting group geared toward assisting with job vacancies brought forward

from local business and industry.

5 Core Components

City of Kingsport

Eastman Chemical Company

First Tennessee Bank

Indian Path Medical Center

Bank of Tennessee

Domtar

Eastman Credit Union

Health South

Higher Education Center

Mountain Region Family Medicine

TriSummit Bank

Appalachian Electric Power

Citizens Bank

Regions Bank

Wellmont

Barberitos

Blackburn, Childers & Steagall

Burger King

Carter-Trent Funeral Home

Chef’s Pizzeria

Dent K. Burke

First Broad Street United Methodist Church

First Kingsport Credit Union

Food City

Grant Tire & Automotive

Hamlett Dobson

Holston Medical Group

Holston Valley Broadcasting

Jefferson Federal

Kingsport Chamber of Commerce

Kingsport Housing Authority

Suntrust Bank

Wilson, Worley & Gamble

A Little Dab

Able Printers

Absolute Communications

AdviCoach

A-Hood Bonding

Aid & Assist at Home

AYP Automotive

Beach Hut Shaved Ice

Bear N Friends Toy Shoppe

Bingham & Hensley

Blakley-Mitchell

Blankenship Law Office

Bloom Boutique

Blue Ridge Properties

Branded

Breaking Tradition

Buddy & Debbie Waggoner

Burk Consulting

Center Key Building

Century 21 Legacy

Cham Percer - CPA

Charmed Southern

Christ Fellowship Church

Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery

Cross Country Mortgage

Cumberland Marketing

Dent Magic

Diamond Exchange

Dirtwerks

Platinum ($3,500+)

2013 DKA Members

Gold ($1,000)

Silver ($500)

Bronze ($250)

Small Business ($100)

Dunkin Donuts

East Tennessee Brain & Spine

Edinburgh Group

Edward Jones Investments

Express Sign

Finer Furnishings

First Bank & Trust

First Community Bank

Edward Jones Investments

Express Sign

Finer Furnishings

First Bank & Trust

First Community Bank

First Presbyterian Church

Fixalotta

Frank Gibson - Attorney

Gateway Self Storage

Gazebo Party Shop

Great Commission Church

Haggle Shop

Holston Habitat for Humanity

Hibu Magazine

Highlands Health Manage-

ment

Hyatt Cleaners

Imperial Family Medicine

Integrity Capital Management

Jan Mar Restaurant

Kenner & Nancy Mallicote

Kingsport Ballet

Kingsport Centre' Realty

Lake Pointe Advertising

LampLight Theatre

Leaping Lizards

Little Cake

Made in the Shade

Margaret Moore

Mason Jar Eatery

Michael Richards Home Repair

Monty & Deb McLaurin

MR Cleaners

Mr. Turkey Leg

Mustard Seed Café

Nooks & Crannies

Oak Hill Funeral Home

Ozark Mountain Brewing

P & J Antiques

Pal's

Picsee Studio

Pope-Robinette Insurance

POSH Spa & Salon

Professional Women's Network

Rodefer & Moss

Shabby Allie's

Signature Properties

Sonitrol of the Tri-Cities

Sophisticats Spa

Sprouty Pea

Stir Fry Café

Style

Sullivan Lands, Inc.

Summer Fox - Allure Salon

The Bagel Exchange

The Cash Company of Kingsport

The Little Coupon Book

The Nutty Java

Thomas Development Company

Times Digital Group

TK's Big Dogs

Todd & Dossett

Town & Country Real Estate

Tri State Enterprises

Trulife Realtor

Two Dads Café n Catering

Up Against the Wall Gallery

Urban Synergy & BANQ

Variety

Walker's Shoe Repair

Wexford House

White Floral

Wray Law Firm

Xcellerated Fitness

Adam Gray

Ashley Nelson

Beine & Associates

Beverley Perdue

Bob Turner

Bobbie Phillips

C & S Transit

Chis & Kim Wilson

David & Yvonne Raden

David Straight

Ed & Pam Mahaffey

Edward Mills

Hannah Musselwhite

Jeff Fleming

Jeff Frazier

John & Karen Barber

John Perdue

Mary Kilpatrick

Message Harbor

Mike McIntire

Pat Lee Harrison

Penny Gray

Ron Garner

Russ & Joyce Brogden

Friend ($50)

”Downtown Kingsport is my main source for shopping,

eating, and local activities. The atmosphere is welcoming

and the progress made there is encouraging for an

exciting future for downtown, especially for young adults. It

has character and potential and people are realizing that

now more than ever.”

Ashley Nelson

Eastman Chemical Company

Downtown Resident

FY 2013 Budget Summary

“I see Kingsport as a community that is emerging now at a rapidly

accelerated pace because our Downtown Kingsport Association

'GETS IT!' They have taken a lead role in effectively organizing

each of these entities into a unified team that reflects our true

sense of community in every effort we undertake. Things happen

now - with speed, simplicity, and decisiveness with a smile and a

'can-do' attitude thanks to DKA Leadership.“

Charlie Floyd

Vice President. Operational Performance

Domtar & Downtown Resident

2013 Board of Directors President

John Barber, Eastman

Vice President

Angela Vachon, Urban Synergy

Secretary

Shaunda Blackwell, First Bank & Trust

Treasurer

Beverley Perdue, Downtown Resident

Rob Beverly, Star Trails Downtown

Jacki Ewing, Charmed Southern

Jeff Frazier, RCAM

Penny Gray, Finer Things for Her

Anissa Kittrell, TriSummit Bank

Bonnie Macdonald, Kingsport Cultural Arts

Pam Mahaffey, Eastman Credit Union

Tracy Morelock, ABC TV/19

Stella Robinette, H.O.P.E.

Kathy Richards, AdviCoach

Taylor Rutherford, Stir Fry Café

Cindy Saadeh, Cindy Saadeh Fine Art

Tommy Stanley, Food City

Jeffrey Stoner, Jeffrey Stoner Photography

Wendy Stout, P & J Antiques

Jud Teague, KCVB

Dan Wernick, Domtar

Lisa Williams, MSHA

Kim Wilson, First Tennessee Bank

Sherri Mosley

Executive Director

Sherri@downtownkingsport.org

Miles Burdine, Kingsport Chamber

John Campbell, City of Kingsport

John Vachon, Urban Synergy

Jeff Fleming, City of Kingsport

Pat Houchens, P & J Antiques

Dennis Phillips, City of Kingsport

Aundrea Wilcox, KOSBE

Ex-Officios

Staff

Chasity Carter

Marketing Director

Chasity@downtownkingsport.org

For more information, please contact:

(423) 246-6550

Or visit our website at:

www.downtownkingsport.org

Downtown Kingsport Associa-

tion

229 Broad Street

Kingsport, TN 37664