2024 Livability Relocation Magazine by jcchamber

On the COVER

(story on page 40)

10 Top Five Discover Johnson City

Find five compelling reasons to call the region home.

12 Quality of Life Out and About

Here’s how two Johnson City residents would spend a perfect day.

17 Community Profile

Check out stats related to the region’s location and population.

20 Arts & Culture Appalachian Artists

Creatives share why they love their mountain home.

A hiker marvels at the views from the overlook at White Rock.

Photo by Jay Huron

Johnson City

V.P./Director of Content

Senior Editor

Editors

° Bill McMeekin

° John Nalley

° Lindsey Hyde, Holly Tilleros

Find Your Place

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a new place to live. We have 16 questions you should ask yourself before making this life-changing decision. livability.com/find-your-next-place

Test Drive That City

You’ve got your sights set on a new place to live! But here’s why you should take that city for a spin first before making the final decision to pack up and move there. livability.com/test-drive-city

Make Your Move

Moving can be daunting. You know you have tons of tasks to complete, but where do you even start?

Learn from someone who’s moved five times to five different states. livability.com/11-moving-tips

New City! Now What?

So you chose your new city and made the move. What’s next? Now comes the fun part! Check out these six things you need to know about starting a new life in a new place. livability.com/life-in-new-city

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DiscoverJohnson City

Five compelling reasons to call the region home

With its unique blend of Southern charm and modern vibrancy, Johnson City has become a beloved destination for those seeking a new place to call home. From outstanding educational opportunities to a burgeoning culinary scene, affordability, thrilling outdoor adventures and a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, Johnson City is just waiting to check all your boxes.

1) Primed for Business

Entrepreneurs and remote workers will find Johnson City to be a welcoming environment for professional growth. With high-speed internet courtesy of BrightRidge Broadband, you can stay connected without a hitch. Plus, a thriving community of startups and business owners are supported by resources like Sync Space Entrepreneur Center, FoundersForge, and Create Appalachia. These organizations offer coworking spaces, networking opportunities and general support, ensuring that ambitious individuals have the tools and connections they need to thrive in Johnson City.

3) Ample Affordability

In Johnson City, your dollar stretches further. The cost of living is 10% lower than the national average, and housing costs are a whopping 18% below the U.S. average. From utilities to health care to transportation, it’s more affordable here across the board. Plus, the lack of a state income tax in Tennessee means you’ll keep more of your hard-earned money.

5) Outdoor Recreation

Nature lovers, rejoice! Johnson City’s stunning landscape provides endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Hiking, biking and fishing are just the start. Whether you’re a solo explorer or looking to join a like-minded group of adventurers, you’ll find it here. Tri-Cities Social Sports offers a unique avenue for adults aged 21 and over to stay active and make friends. Their motto, “play sports, make friends, have fun,” encapsulates the joy of their leagues, which include dodgeball, kickball, softball and even the ever-entertaining cornhole.

2) Quality of Life

Johnson City is all about living well. It’s no secret that the city boasts a vibrant culinary scene. From the iconic juicy burgers at BURG’r & BARREL, housed in a charming old train station, to the award-winning delights at LABEL, there’s no shortage of places to satisfy your taste buds. LABEL has earned praise for being the best bar, brunch spot and happy hour in the city, according to the Johnson City Press. Juniper and The Firehouse also add to the city’s culinary tapestry, leaving no doubt that dining here is an absolute treat.

4) Excellent Education

Looking for a place where you can nurture your mind and expand your horizons? Johnson City is home to East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and Milligan University, both of which offer exceptional educational opportunities. ETSU is a hub of creativity and learning, and with a Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services, it’s deeply connected to the region’s rich heritage. Also nearby is Milligan University, a private Christian institution consistently lauded for its academic excellence and value. These schools not only provide quality education but also infuse the community with youthful energy.

Kelly Rogers

The Firehouse

Winged Deer Park

Out

About & Out About Out About

HERE’S HOW TWO JOHNSON CITY RESIDENTS WOULD SPEND A PERFECT DAY

For both recent transplants and natives, the perfect day includes enjoying the ample wilderness and water around Johnson City, Tennessee. Here are two agendas – from former Floridian Alan Edwards and Tennessee native Grant Puckett – on how to spend an ideal day in and around the city, plus some bonus ideas to customize your own itinerary.

Life in the Bike Lane

Avid road biker Edwards first heard of Johnson City while he was living in his native Jacksonville, Florida, and a cycling buddy announced he was moving there. Edwards assumed the two would lose touch after the move, but he ended up visiting his friend and fell in love with the area.

Some may scoff at the idea of leaving Florida’s perpetual summer, but that was actually part of its appeal.

“It’s completely different from Jacksonville, where there’s 11 months of summer and a month of winter,” Edwards says. “It’s nice to have the four seasons.”

Then there are the vast spaces for outdoor recreation, which Edwards

has taken full advantage of since he himself relocated there in 2017.

“It’s all about the outdoors for me,” he says, reeling off a list of places he can access within a few minutes from his apartment: Cherokee National Forest, Smoky Mountain National Park and the Appalachian Trail, and Watauga Lake.

Unsurprisingly, Edwards’ ideal day revolves around getting out

into nature, and heading out on his bike for a two- or three-hour ride is the first thing he’d do after a light breakfast at home.

Afterwards, an afternoon on the water is the perfect way to cool down, so Edwards will grab some friends and his boat to make the 30-minute drive east of town to Watauga Lake. With just over 100 miles of shoreline, the lake is large enough to accommodate

multiple activities. His crew enjoys beaching the boat for a picnic onshore and spending time on the water kneeboarding (a kissing cousin of wakeboarding) and tubing. He’d end the day with an order of smoked wings slathered in Stoney Creek barbecue sauce and fries at Southern Craft Barbecue, a smokehouse that offers “great service” along with casual grub.

Johnson City, Tennessee

Clockwise from top left: Tweetsie Trail; The Generalist; Main Street in Johnson City; Downtown mural; Willow Springs Park

Chasing Waterfalls

Grant Puckett, his wife and their 10-month-old child spend much of their outdoor time seeking out the many waterfalls in the region. The 80-foot-high Laurel Falls, located in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a 20-minute drive from the city, and Cherokee National Forest’s Red Fork Falls is also nearby. His personal favorite, though, is Twisting Falls, “because it requires

a little bit of skill to get to. In some spots you’re literally holding onto a (guide) rope with knots tied into it to get down the hill.”

Puckett is also a music buff, so he’d definitely search out live music on his ideal day.

“I know I can go to pretty much any restaurant and hear live music. We always have live music going on. There’s always a concert,

there’s always a festival,” he says.

The Down Home, a local venue that’s been hosting musicians for nearly five decades, was just one of seven statewide showcases for Tennessee Songwriters Week in 2023. East Tennessee State University opened the Martin Center for the Arts, a 93,000-square-foot facility, in late 2020.

Another of Puckett’s in-town haunts, Mulligan’s Gaming Pub, has live music several nights per week as well as tasty Irish cuisine. He also shouts out BURG’r & BARREL (located inside a historic train station) as well as his favorite restaurant in Johnson City, the high-end Juniper (“Divine is the only word I would use” to describe the offerings, he says).

Bonus Picks

Residents who’d prefer to get some fresh air without leaving the city have plenty of options, thanks to the nearly 20 public parks in town. King Commons and Founders Park are two parks that are easily accessible from downtown. The Tweetsie Trail (so named for the sound of train steam whistles) runs nearly 10 miles from Johnson City to nearby Elizabethton.

Downtown Johnson City also offers a wealth of shopping and dining options. Specialty shops hawk everything from screen-printed T-shirts and women’s apparel to plants to skate gear to vinyl, while modern general store The Generalist stocks a fun mix of jewelry and accessories, home goods and grocery items. And to fuel up, check out the pies at Main Street Pizza Co., eclectic fare at the LABEL (one of Edwards’ favorites), local beers at Yee-Haw Brewing Co. and much, much more.

– Amy Antonation

find more online

Find other reasons locals say they love to live in Johnson City at movetojohnsoncity.com

Home Sweet Home

U.S. Army veteran and local businessman Robert Campbell has resided in more than 15 cities during his life, and today he enjoys being a resident of Johnson City, Tennessee – especially since he has always loved being near the mountains.

“I didn’t know much about Johnson City and the Tri-Cities area when arriving here a few years ago, but I met Bob Cantler (Johnson City Chamber president and CEO) and then several other wonderful people, and I knew this was the place for me,” Campbell says. “Also, being military much of my life, the Veterans Administration in this region is fantastic. It’s the best I’ve seen in terms of health care.”

Johnson City has nearly 70,000

residents, and about 7,000 of those citizens have veteran status. As a result, Campbell has started periodic Salutes & Handshakes expo events to connect transitioning service members with businesses looking to fill job vacancies throughout the Appalachian Highlands region.

“The name ‘Salutes and Handshakes’ represents me saluting you as a

transitioning service member, then extending a handshake to welcome you as a member of the Johnson City/Tri-Cities community,” he says. “Salutes and Handshakes addresses workforce shortages and also fosters military veteran and spouse understanding and advocacy.”

The first Salutes & Handshakes conference took place in November 2022 at East Tennessee State University, and several government, private business, academia, nonprofit and service organizations were in attendance to hire service members.

The best way for any military personnel to hear about future conference expos is by following the Facebook page at facebook.com/ salutesandhandshakes

By Kevin Litwin

7 GREAT REASONS TO CHOOSE

Robert Campbell

Community Profile Community Profile

DEMOGRAPHICS

HOUSEHOLDS

29,425

Number of households

2.2

Persons per household

AGE

Two

POPULATION

72,514

Johnson City

Sources: Census Reporter, U.S. Census, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce, Zillow

32,372

Number of housing units

HOMEOWNERS / RENTERS

TO NEARBY CITIES

MAJOR ROADWAYS IN JOHNSON CITY » Interstate 26

» U.S. Route 11E

» U.S. Route 19W

» U.S. Route 23 » U.S. Route 321

TO WORK

18.3 minutes

Average travel time

Closing the

CIRCLE

Eastman invests in possibilities

Innovation has been at the heart of Eastman’s story since the company’s beginnings more than a century ago.

“Today, we’re innovating for a growing world population of over 10 billion. We must do that in a way that addresses climate change and circularity,” says Brad Lich, Eastman’s executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

Circularity – reducing material waste and repurposing it to produce new products – is core to Eastman’s ongoing growth and development.

As one example, Eastman is scaling up the world’s largest molecular recycling facility in Kingsport to soon be followed by another plant in France and a third at a yet-to-benamed site in the U.S.

“We are investing $2.25 billion dollars in this new technology to take

hard-to-recycle plastics – everything from dairy packaging to shampoo or water bottles – and convert them back into new products, like new bottles, phone cases and medical devices,” Lich says.

and can take hard-to-recycle materials that currently end up in landfills or incineration.

Our vision for a future with full circularity of plastics

Lich says this technology is a complement to mechanical recycling

To turn this vision into reality, Eastman follows six key principles:

Reduce, reuse, recycle

“This technology brings it down to the molecular level so we can use it again and again. It never ends; it never changes in quality,” he continues. “With mechanical recycling, you can only do it so many times, but you can do this an infinite number of times. It’s truly circular.”

The solution should adhere to and encourage the reduction, reusability and recycling of plastics packaging.

Material circularity

Besides taking waste out of the environment, Lich says this process also prevents the extraction of more fossil fuels for production.

Materials should be recovered using high-yield, material-to-material recycling.

Environmental and social impact

Lower CO2 and other emissions impact compared to virgin production; technologies meet or exceed regulatory requirements to improve quality of life for employees and communities.

Complementary types of recycling

“Instead of creating new molecules again and again, we’re taking those valuable molecules and putting them back into use,” he explains. “That’s really how we address climate needs, as well as the plastic waste crisis. It’s about giving all those valuable molecules an infinite life. To drive

An integrated waste ecosystem should be enabled with complementary roles of mechanical and molecular recycling.

Economic viability

Recycling options should be economically efficient to enable the long-term success of the circular economy.

Transparency

Claims about different recycling technologies are clear, transparent and accountable with third-party certifications.

the kind of societal change we’re talking about takes working across the entire ecosystem.”

Lich says partnerships have been key to overcoming skepticism about this and other new technologies.

“For instance, we have a partnership with Food City to create drop-off locations for customers in the Tri-Cities who don’t have access to curbside recycling.”

On a wider scale, he says Pepsi has signed on as a partner for Eastman’s second U.S. plant, and there are other strong partnerships

Future With Full Circularity of Plastics

Our vision for a future with full circularity

To turn this vision into reality, Eastman follows six key principles:

Our vision for a future with full circularity

Reduce, reuse, recycle

The solution should adhere to and reduction, reusability and recycling

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Material circularity

To turn this vision into reality, Eastman follows six key principles:

Our vision for a future with full circularity

The solution should adhere to and encourage the reduction, reusability and recycling of plastics packaging.

Materials should be recovered using material-to-material recycling.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

The solution should adhere to and reduction, reusability and recycling

Environmental and social impact

Material circularity

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Fully circular plastic value chain without

Lower CO2 and other emissions impact to virgin production; technologies regulatory requirements to improve for employees and communities.

To turn this vision into reality, Eastman follows six key principles:

Materials should be recovered using material-to-material recycling.

Material circularity

The solution should adhere to and reduction, reusability and recycling

Complementary types of recycling

Environmental and social impact

Our vision for a future with full circularity

Materials should be recovered using high-yield, material-to-material recycling.

Material circularity

“With mechanical recycling, you can only do it so many times, but you can do this an infinite number of times. It’s truly circular.”

An integrated waste ecosystem should complementary roles of mechanical

Economic viability

Lower CO2 and other emissions impact to virgin production; technologies regulatory requirements to improve for employees and communities.

Materials should be recovered using material-to-material recycling.

Environmental and social impact

To turn this vision into reality, Eastman follows six key principles:

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Recycling options should be economically enable the long-term success of the Transparency

Complementary types of recycling

An integrated waste ecosystem should complementary roles of mechanical

Environmental and social

Claims about different recycling technologies transparent and accountable with Fully

Lower CO2 and other emissions impact to virgin production; technologies regulatory requirements to improve for employees and communities.

The solution should adhere to and reduction, reusability and recycling

impact

Economic viability

Our vision for a future with full circularity

Material circularity

Eastman commitments to environmental justice

Environmental impact

Complementary types of recycling

An integrated waste ecosystem should complementary roles of mechanical

Recycling options should be economically enable the long-term success of the Transparency

Materials should be recovered using material-to-material recycling.

To turn this vision into reality, Eastman follows six key principles:

Economic viability

Environmental and social impact

Claims about different recycling technologies transparent and accountable with

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Recycling options should be economically enable the long-term success of the

We apply our world-class technologies and knowledge to environmental innovations leading lower environmental impacts and improved benefits for the communities where we operate.

Lower CO 2 and other emissions impact compared to virgin production; technologies meet or exceed regulatory requirements to improve quality of life for employees and communities.

Eastman commitments to environmental justice

circular plastic value chain without using virgin fossil

Lower CO2 and other emissions impact to virgin production; technologies regulatory requirements to improve for employees and communities.

Our vision for a future with full circularity of plastics

The solution should adhere to and reduction, reusability and recycling

Minimize impacts, exceed requirements, and ensure fairness and meaningful

Material circularity

Environmental impact

Transparency Claims about different recycling technologies transparent and accountable with

Complementary types of recycling

Materials should be recovered using material-to-material recycling.

An integrated waste ecosystem should complementary roles of mechanical

To turn this vision into reality, Eastman follows six key principles:

We will operate all existing and future facilities in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts, exceeds all environmental compliance requirements, and ensures fair treatment and meaningful for those living in our communities.

Eastman commitments to environmental justice

Community engagement

– Brad Lich, Eastman's executive vice president and chief commercial officer

at its location in France.

We apply our world-class technologies and knowledge to environmental innovations leading lower environmental impacts and improved benefits for the communities where we operate.

Complementary types of recycling

Environmental and social impact

Economic viability

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Environmental impact

Comprehensive monitoring

Community engagement

An integrated waste ecosystem should be enabled with complementary roles of mechanical and molecular recycling.

Material circularity

Lower CO2 and other emissions impact to virgin production; technologies regulatory requirements to improve for employees and communities.

Recycling options should be economically enable the long-term success of the Transparency

The solution should adhere to and reduction, reusability and recycling

We continuously engage with our site communities, including community advisory panels, social, economic, educational, and ecological risks and to understand how we can more effectively communities determined to be disadvantaged.

We apply our world-class technologies and knowledge to environmental innovations leading lower environmental impacts and improved benefits for the communities where we operate.

Minimize impacts, exceed requirements, and ensure fairness and meaningful We will operate all existing and future facilities in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts, exceeds all environmental compliance requirements, and ensures fair treatment and meaningful for those living in our communities.

Complementary types of recycling

Claims about different recycling technologies transparent and accountable with

Materials should be recovered using material-to-material recycling.

Minimize impacts, exceed requirements, and ensure fairness and meaningful

We monitor issues to identify key community concerns using publicly available environmental screening tools pertinent to our operations to create a sustainable future for all. These learnings continuously assessed and integrated into all aspects of our business.

An integrated waste ecosystem should complementary roles of mechanical

Eastman commitments to environmental justice

Economic viability

“Our employees are at the heart of all our innovation, and they are excited about the opportunity to protect the environment and protect the beauty we have in this area,” Lich adds, noting that Eastman has always employed multiple generations of families here.

Committed to Responsible Care®

Comprehensive monitoring

Community engagement

Environmental impact

Economic viability

Environmental and social impact Lower CO2 and other emissions impact to virgin production; technologies regulatory requirements to improve for employees and communities.

We will operate all existing and future facilities in a manner that minimizes environmental exceeds all environmental compliance requirements, and ensures fair treatment and meaningful for those living in our communities.

Recycling options should be economically enable the long-term success of Transparency

We are committed to Responsible Care® principles that include assessing, managing, and product, process, and chemical safety risks to stakeholders; preventing accidents, injuries, health and the environment from products and operations; transparent reporting; and a commitment continual improvement in environmental, health, safety, and security performance.

Claims about different recycling technologies transparent and accountable with Fully circular plastic value chain without using virgin fossil feedstocks

Complementary types of recycling

We apply our world-class technologies and knowledge to environmental innovations leading lower environmental impacts and improved benefits for the communities where we operate.

An integrated waste ecosystem should complementary roles of mechanical

Committed

to Responsible

Comprehensive monitoring

Care®

Recycling options should be economically efficient to enable the long-term success of the circular economy.

Minimize impacts, exceed requirements, and ensure fairness and meaningful

Economic viability

Committed to Responsible Care®

Environmental impact

Community engagement

“We have tremendous pride that Eastman is leading this effort across the globe, doing our part to drive improvement in climate change,” he concludes. “We have the opportunity to show the world what’s possible.”

Recycling options should be economically enable the long-term success of the Transparency Claims about different recycling technologies transparent and accountable with

Transparency

We apply our world-class technologies and knowledge to environmental innovations leading lower environmental impacts and improved benefits for the communities where we operate.

Comprehensive monitoring

Eastman commitments to environmental justice

Minimize impacts, exceed requirements, and ensure fairness and meaningful

Environmental impact

Community engagement

Claims about different recycling technologies are clear, transparent and accountable with third-party certifications.

Committed to Responsible Care®

We apply our world-class technologies and knowledge to environmental innovations leading lower environmental impacts and improved benefits for the communities where we operate.

Minimize impacts, exceed requirements, and ensure fairness and meaningful

We will operate all existing and future facilities in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts, exceeds all environmental compliance requirements, and ensures fair treatment and meaningful

Appalachian

ARTISTS

Creatives share why they love their mountain home

Ed Snodderly is a musician and songwriter born and bred in the mountains of East Tennessee.

As an adult, he followed his musical muse to places like Nashville, Boston and New York before returning to Johnson City, where he grew up.

Now, as co-owner of one of East Tennessee’s best-

known music venues, The Down Home, he tries to give younger musicians a stage to work on their craft while also hosting some of the bigger names in folk, alternative and old-time music – plus various other styles of entertainment –year-round.

“Everyone knows the big opportunities for music are in Nashville, but

where can you grow and cultivate what you are doing? East Tennessee is a good place to do that,” says Snodderly, who entertains as a solo act as well as with a band.

He plays several stringed instruments, including guitar, dobro and fiddle, and in July 2023 recorded a 12-song album titled “Chimney Smoke.”

Snodderly cites a number of East Tennessee artists who made it big yet have ultimately returned to play in the region over the years. Those include alt-country singersongwriter Amythyst Kiah, a Chattanooga native now living in Johnson City, and country stars Morgan Wallen and Kenny Chesney, who are originally from Knoxville.

Snodderly gives credit for the region’s musical vitality to the Scotch-Irish and other immigrants who first established strong vocal and instrumental traditions in the mountains of Appalachia.

“It’s our heritage,” he says. “We were at the roots of early country and old-time music.”

The 1928 Johnson City Sessions, sponsored by Columbia Records, produced some of the most famous recordings of mountain musicians just before the Great Depression, he notes.

While some of the most talented instrumentalists and singers spend hundreds of hours in practice and performance, another way to enter the field is through East Tennessee State University’s bluegrass, old-time and roots music program – the first of its kind in the country.

A bluegrass band takes the stage at The Down Home, a live music venue located in downtown.

COLLABORATIVE, CREATIVE CULTURE

The scenic beauty of East Tennessee could provide ample inspiration for any artist.

But equally important to painter and art instructor

Jason Flack is the tightknit community of artists living in and around in Johnson City.

Jason Flack

“There’s no better way to show that your town is alive and proud than to have artists creating and displaying their work.”

– Jason Flack, painter and art instructor

“We have artists who come and go, but the ones who live here are something different,” says Flack, a Johnson City native. “Artists here support each other. We band together.”

Flack is among a dozen or so creative individuals who meet up “whenever possible” for mutual

support. Artists in Johnson City have year-round opportunities to exhibit or publicize their work through events and activities such as an annual Chalk Art Competition and the Art Struck Festival sponsored by the city’s Public Art Committee. There are also monthly

First Friday gallery walks downtown, as well as other events in the close-knit Tri-Cities area. Flack contributes to the artistic environment as a participant in Johnson City’s public murals project. His work has also been chosen for logos and other displays promoting local businesses.

“Downtown Main St.” by Jason Flack

He believes visual art shouldn’t be seen as something “special” but as an integral part of the community, and that East Tennessee’s reputation as a hub of creativity is growing.

Historically known for traditional arts-and-crafts (think: woodworking, basket-making and quilting), the new and emerging talent in the region is adding layers of fresh ideas and techniques. Some bring an Appalachian twist, such as Flack’s colorful folk-style paintings that evoke images both rural and urban.

Popular local venues for artists to show their work include the Fischman Gallery and Nelson Fine

Art and Frames in downtown Johnson City and the Tipton and Slocumb galleries at East Tennessee State University.

All of this reinforces the reciprocity between the community and the arts.

“There’s no better way to show that your town is alive and proud than to have artists creating and displaying their work,” Flack says.

That’s just what artists like Flack and Snodderly are doing, telling stories through art everywhere you look in Johnson City.

– Renee Elder

Learn more about the region’s vibrant art scene and creative community at livability.com/ tn/johnson-city

Toe-Tapping Times

THREE FESTIVALS THAT JOHNSON CITY MUSIC LOVERS CAN’T MISS

Johnson City offers a variety of music venues that cover everything from blues to bluegrass, classic country, rock and heavy metal. In addition, the region hosts a number of music festivals, including:

BLUE PLUM FESTIVAL

A major music celebration is Blue Plum Festival, which began in 1999 to bring awareness to downtown Johnson City. The annual event occurs for two days in early June at King Commons, and attendance is free.

Up-and-coming performers and established local groups make the lineup. Acts that performed in 2023 included Rayland Baxter, Alpine Motel, Annabelle’s Curse and The Fritz.

FRIDAYS AFTER 5

Also contributing to the regional music scene is an annual summer series called Fridays After 5,

which takes place every Friday evening for six-plus consecutive weeks in June/July at King Commons. Notable acts who performed at the 2023 series included Demon Waffle, Sam Collie & The Roustabouts and My New Favorites.

BRISTOL RHYTHM & ROOTS REUNION

Right down the road is an annual three-day festival in mid-September that celebrates Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia’s, music heritage as the birthplace of country music. More than 100 Appalachian roots acts perform on indoor and outdoor stages along State Street, and many visitors also take the opportunity to tour the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in downtown Bristol. The 2024 Rhythm & Roots Reunion is set for September 13-15.

– Kevin Litwin

Blue Plum Festival

Sweet Sweet

A Sweet Deal

D.R. HORTON STRIVES TO BUILD BOTH HOMES AND COMMUNITIES

Home sweet home has a dual meaning for D.R. Horton in Johnson City. The first one is obvious. After all, the company has been the largest homebuilder by volume in the U.S. since 2002 and has closed on more than 1 million homes over its 46-year history.

In addition to building the homes, however, D.R. Horton also wants to make sure each of its 118 markets feels like home by connecting with the local community through workforce development and charitable programs. That has been the case in Johnson City ever since the company set up

2,000 jobs throughout the region.

shop here four years ago.

“We’re basically a local builder backed by a Fortune 200 company,” says Barak Saltzman, manager for D.R. Horton’s Northeast Tennessee region. “We are very decentralized. We make all our decisions locally.”

When it comes to the actual building of homes, the numbers tell much of the story. D.R. Horton has created an economic impact of more than $100 million in the Northeast Tennessee region since its arrival in Johnson City and entered 2024 with more than 1,000 lots under contract. In addition, the company supports more than

“We want to be a great community partner to Johnson City.”

– Barak Saltzman, manager for D.R. Horton’s Northeast Tennessee region

But D.R. Horton’s impact goes far beyond walls and ceilings. The company is invested in workforce development in the region, partnering with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) on its Building Construction Technology program and working with Northeast State Community College on its Skilled Trades program.

In the end, it is the people within the homes who create a community. And D.R. Horton makes an impact there as well by contributing to a variety of programs designed to improve individual lives.

For example, the company sponsored the TCAT team in the Appalachia Service Project’s “Race to Build” event at Bristol Motor Speedway, in which college students compete to build new homes from the ground up. The finished products are then donated to low-income families whose current homes are beyond repair.

“We want to be a great community partner to Johnson City,” Saltzman says. “And we try to do that by giving back whenever we can.”

D.R. Horton has made a big impact in Northeast Tennessee.

How I Got Connected

A NEWCOMER TELLS HOW HE PUT DOWN ROOTS IN JOHNSON CITY

Corey Blaske grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and lived in Nashville for almost a decade before he and his wife moved to Johnson City in 2020 after she accepted a job offer. A few years later, Blaske, who is officially a local, shares what it was like to move to a smaller city, what he loves about living here so far and how he got connected in the community.

What drew you to Johnson City?

Coming from a major metropolitan city, there were two different things. We both lived and grew up in big cities, so moving to a place that has less population gave us the chance to get back to the things that matter to us, like spending more time together rather than commuting a long distance to work.

Instead, we can spend time with family or get out on the trails. Affordability is another aspect; the cost of living is lower. You can choose where to live as opposed to the market dictating that based on your budget. I am a local real estate professional and was one in Nashville, so understanding the housing pattern was a big pro when we were choosing between other cities where my wife had opportunities.

What has it been like moving to a smaller city?

Building a community in a pandemic was difficult, but now, three years in, our community has grown significantly. This community is so much more inviting than other places we’ve lived.

We’ve owned five different homes, and this is the first place the neighbors have actually brought us goodies, like you see on TV. I can’t even tell you how many conversations I have on a weekly basis with my neighbors. It’s just so much more friendly than anywhere we’ve ever lived, even though I have much more space than we did before.

“This community is so much more inviting than other places we’ve lived.”

How did you start making friends in Johnson City?

Faith is definitely a strong thing in our community, so getting plugged into a church was really important. I have also joined the Young Professionals of Johnson City, and that has been very beneficial. Getting involved with the Johnson City Chamber of Chamber also has been one of the most important things I’ve done to build a social network. Within both organizations, there are so many networking and volunteer opportunities to become a part of the community.

– Rebecca Treon

QUITE THE

CRAFT

Beverage hobbyists are in the business of making delicious, down-home drinks

Local beers on tap are found throughout downtown breweries, and just a short drive away, Watauga Lake Winery offers a scenic mountain setting.

Nestled in the bustling heart of downtown Johnson City stands the vibrant Yee-Haw Brewing Co., a beacon of craft beer excellence since its inception in 2015. Housed within the storied walls of a historic Tweetsie train depot, this taproom is more than just a watering hole – it’s a testament to the fusion of tradition and forward-thinking business acumen.

While the brewery began in Johnson City, the brand continues to grow and expand in cities including Knoxville, Nashville and Greenville, South Carolina.

“We expect to open two more locations by the end of 2025,” says David McDaniel, Yee-Haw Brewing taproom manager.

The secret to Yee-Haw’s success is that it is more than just a brewery; it’s an experience. Step inside the Johnson City location, and you’re

greeted not only by the aroma of freshly crafted beer but also by the delicious delights of the onsite White Duck Taco Shop, offering an array of 16 different tacos, from the classic BLT to the fiery shrimp diablo.

But it’s the craft beers that bring most customers to Yee-Haw, and the brewery’s year-round lineup includes lagers, pilsners, Mexican cerveza, Kolsch and IPAs.

The taproom and restaurant lead to an outdoor patio, where on any given night, there are sports playing from the TVs, music coming from local musicians or trivia being doled out on stage. It’s a family-friendly environment, where old friends and new come to relax.

As someone who lives in the region, McDaniel knows all too well that Johnson City continues to attract more residents and visitors.

“Our clientele is about 70% locals and 30% visitors traveling through the area,” McDaniel says. “The Johnson City taproom is now in its ninth year, and other than during the pandemic, this location has grown revenue-wise every year.”

Whether staying or visiting, a cold craft brew is the perfect ending to a day spent hiking nearby mountains or biking the neighboring Tweetsie Trail. And, lucky for them, visitors might relive their fun in Johnson City by picking up a Yee-Haw brew near them. Select retail stores in East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, Western Virginia and Greenville keep the product on their shelves.

Igniting an Industry

Another brewery in the region that happens to be the longestrunning is Johnson City Brewing Co., which opened in 2014. It evolved from the Peyton Street Beer Club,

Friends meet for drinks at Villa Nove Vineyards and Watauga Lake Winery.

a monthly gathering at Eric and Kat Latham’s house.

“We would invite folks to share different beers and food,” Eric says. “But it was mostly about community and friendship.”

After moving to East Tennessee, the Lathams started looking for a place to set up a brewery and eventually chose downtown.

Johnson City Brewing allows Kat and him to combine their passions.

“Craft breweries bring the community together,” Eric says. “Breweries support creativity, art, music, food and the local economy. When folks visit Johnson City, they ask about the local breweries.

People like to be together, have a pint and feel like they are part of the community.”

Johnson City Brewing continues to expand, too, with a production facility and taproom downtown and another taproom 8 miles northwest of Johnson City.

The brewery participates in an annual spring ritual, the Thirsty Orange Beer Festival. It’s the city’s oldest beer festival showcasing the region’s finest craft brewers.

Icing on the Keg

Beer isn’t the only craft drink gaining traction in the region. East Tennessee’s wine industry is also attracting attention.

In 2012, a local couple purchased an old schoolhouse located about 40 miles east of Johnson City. They transformed it into the Watauga Lake Winery and then sold it in 2020 to the Waterfront Group, a land development and second-home marketing company.

While Watauga Lake Winery features a cozy restored 1940s schoolhouse in a stunning mountain location, a five-minute drive leads to Villa Nove Vineyards and an atmosphere more like Tuscany, Italy. This winery is also owned by the Waterfront Group, and Villa Nove’s winemaker, Joe Smith, credits the

“People like to be together, have a pint and feel like they are part of the community.”

– Eric Latham, Johnson City Brewing Co

vineyard’s location for its excellent growing conditions.

“Situated on Dry Hill Road, the site echoes its name,” Smith says. “We receive far less rain than areas just a mile away. Less rain means a cleaner canopy and the opportunity for grapes to ripen better than other areas in the South.”

All three businesses agree that practicing this craft in the

Appalachian Mountains is icing on the keg.

“Johnson City is a beautiful place to live geographically,” Eric says. “But it’s also beautiful demographically. You’ve got people living here from around the world with a variety of experiences, which enriches our community.”

– Greg Phillips

Eric Latham, owner of Johnson City Brewing Co., holds signature brews.

Cheers!

David McDaniel

Yee-Haw Brewing

“If patrons ask what beer they should try, I usually recommend our Yee-Hazy IPA that has a nice hop blend with a note of orange. Another good choice is the Mexican Cerveza, a creamy hoppy beer with a smooth finish.”

We asked these people what to order when visiting their establishments, and here’s what they recommended:

Eric Latham

Johnson City Brewing Co.

“We brew all kinds of beers but are best known for Peaches, an ale with peaches and coriander. It’s an accident beer that’s now our bestseller. Blue and Gold is a golden ale with blueberry purée in honor of East Tennessee State University. J-Town Brown Ale is an American brown ale named after downtown Johnson City.”

Allison Eastridge

Waterfront Group

“Watauga Lake Winery offers a delightful array of sweeter style wines, perfect for newbies or those with a penchant for a touch of sweetness. On the other hand, Villa Nove Vineyards showcases a splendid selection of dry wines.”

REMOTE, and in CONTROL

BrightRidge is helping connect rural communities with high-speed broadband

Even those who want to get away from it all still need to stay connected.

That’s true for many of the outdoor enthusiasts and others who are attracted to the Washington County area by the region’s natural beauty and lifestyle.

Longtime public utility company

BrightRidge is helping ensure that residents also have easy access to remote work, distance education and telehealth needs.

Since 2019, BrightRidge has been steadily expanding its new fiber optic and wireless infrastructure, bringing high-speed broadband options to an increasing number of its 83,000 electric customers.

“A lot of people move here so they can take advantage of all the natural

attractions and outdoor activities that this region is known for, but they still want the broadband services that are typically available in a bigger city,” BrightRidge Chief Broadband and Technology Officer Stacy Evans says.

When BrightRidge launched broadband, the company was the fi rst in the United States to offer 10GIG symmetrical fiber internet. During the past four years, BrightRidge has expanded its broadband network to over 36,000 locations.

The program is proving to be so popular that BrightRidge is increasing its fiber connections by at least 17,000 homes and businesses in the coming year, bringing the total to approximately 53,000. Grants and other funding might take that number to near 60,000.

“We have been able to accelerate our planned rollout by two years in urban areas and six years in rural areas,” Evans says. “Our ultimate goal is to make fiber broadband available to every electric customer in our service territory.”

The results have been noticed nationally. A 2022 Wall Street Journal article named Johnson City as the top emerging housing market in the country and cited the availability of high-speed internet as a contributing factor. In addition, PC Magazine listed Jonesborough No. 5 on its 2021 ranking of the best work-from-home cities.

“Having the broadband option available is an economic development tool,” Evans says. “And it definitely improves the quality of life for residents.”

“Our ultimate goal is to make fiber broadband available to every electric customer in our service territory.”

– Stacy Evans, Chief Broadband and Technology Officer

GO TO GROW

A LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR EXPLAINS WHY JOHNSON CITY IS A STARTUP HAVEN

David Nelson is a Johnson City businessman who, in 2020, founded an incubator called FoundersForge to help area entrepreneurs with their startup journeys. From FoundersForge’s location in downtown Johnson City, Nelson discusses his successes and why Johnson City is a great place for entrepreneurs.

Tell us more about the businesses you’ve launched since your college days. The first was as an undergrad at Purdue University, making apps for marketing purposes, but I didn’t have a real sense of how to proceed as an entrepreneur. I went on to start five companies in VR, health care data and event ticketing. Those startups failed, but I was able to take my experiences from each of these and relaunch the very first company to be a huge success. I learned how failure can propel you to success.

Is that why you started FoundersForge?

wasn’t a strong startup community, so we decided to build one.

What brought you to Johnson City?

Yes, I cofounded FoundersForge to help entrepreneurs get on the right track and avoid the mistakes that I had to learn the hard way. When I arrived in Johnson City, I noticed there were many high-tech, advanced business ideas here, but the entrepreneurial community wasn’t getting together. There

I lived in Indiana, Silicon Valley, Boulder and Raleigh, which all had good entrepreneurial setups, but I’m a whitewater kayaker who has always loved the mountains. I heard about the Johnson City area and the excellent outdoor opportunities, and my wife, Brooklyn, also found a dream job here with Ballad Health.

How does FoundersForge help local entrepreneurs?

We provide connections to local, state and national ESOs (entrepreneur support organizations) as well as venture

“FoundersForge is on a mission to be the catalyst behind all successful startups in our region.”

firms and government support. We also provide free coaching and over 50 programs to the city.

How are things going?

Very well. The local entrepreneur scene consisted of about eight startups 10 years ago, and more than 70 have found success since then – mostly in the last two to three years.

Why do you think Johnson City is an ideal place for startups?

Johnson City is ideal because of its great quality of life and low cost of living. An entrepreneur can build a startup company anywhere, so why begin in an expensive place? Johnson City has the outdoors right in our backyard, little traffic, great schools, is family-friendly and is perfect for working at home. We are seeing some very bright and innovative startups finding success here.

What’s one piece of advice every local entrepreneur should hear?

Talk to your customers and get as much advice as possible. It is so important that startups solve the problems of their customers, and the only way to do this is by putting yourself in their shoes. FoundersForge is all about challenging assumptions to reach success, and the only way to do this is through actively working with your customers. FoundersForge is on a mission to be the catalyst behind all successful startups in our region, and we are here to help you every step of the way.

– Kevin Litwin

A Thriving Arts COMMUNITY

East Tennessee State University is cultural magnet for all

Aspiring lawyer and political science major Caleb Vaughn had already set his sights on an out-of-state college when he heard about the Fine and Performing Arts Scholars Program at East Tennessee State University.

“At the very last minute, I found out about the FPA program here,” Vaughn says. “And I knew that ETSU could offer me a lot of things as far as balancing my career choices.”

In 2023, Vaughn starred in his first performance at the university’s

new black box venue, the Bert C. Bach Theatre.

The Bach Theatre is just one of many ETSU cultural offerings that not only educate students but entertain arts enthusiasts throughout the region.

The largest, and most obvious, says ETSU Communications Manager O.J. Early, is the Martin Center for the Arts, which opened its doors in 2020.

Broadway shows like “Jagged Little Pill” and “My Fair Lady” draw patrons from the Appalachian Highlands and other states.

“The ETSU community is thrilled to host such incredible performances,” Early says.

The only art cinema in the region outside of Asheville, the revitalized Bud Frank Theatre features films ranging from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to “White Christmas” and provides hands-on programming opportunities for film and media students.

This focus on roll-up-your-sleeves arts career training is a top priority in the Music Department, whose annual

holiday concerts generally sell out, and the Department of Theatre and Dance, where students learn about much more than how to perform.

“So many skills are imparted to students,” Early adds, “from good communication skills to how to work well with others.”

A mainstay of the ETSU campus for nearly 60 years, the Reece Museum traces the heritage of Appalachia with approximately 22,000 artifacts and the works of renowned artists and ETSU students, both historic and contemporary. Admission is free and open to the public.

“Telling those stories and exploring that history is really important

“Telling those stories and exploring that history is really important to the Reece Museum and the university.”

– O.J. Early, ETSU Communications Manager

to the Reece Museum and the university,” Early says.

ETSU’s innovative venues also challenge perceptions of what art is and should be.

Tipton Gallery and Slocumb Galleries offer diverse, accessible and inclusive exhibits, as well as internships, class projects and a chance for students to win prestigious honors from the Tennessee Association of Museums.

Guest lecturers speak on a variety of topics at various sites on campus. And in one of the university’s groundbreaking regional partnerships, ETSU interns gain experience in costumes, lighting and more while observing

performance company professionals in action daily at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia.

“The mission of ETSU is improving the quality of life for the people of the region and beyond,” Early points out. “We try to provide, and we believe that we do, a really thriving and growing arts and cultural scene that benefits faculty, staff, students and the community. They can come to ETSU and be a part of that art scene that maybe they wouldn’t otherwise have.”

Learn more about East Tennessee State University’s arts programs at etsu.edu

An Education A+

Johnson City Schools gave these business owners the knowledge, confidence and support to succeed

WW ith low living costs, breathtaking mountain scenery, a wide range of recreational activities and attractions, and abundant career opportunities, Johnson City has earned its reputation as one of

the best cities in the U.S. to raise a family.

Another reason for the city’s accolades is an exceptional school system – Johnson City Schools is ranked the fourth-best

school district in the state by Niche – that offers an impressive roster of courses and extracurricular options to help each student find their niche and prepare for success.

DOORWAYS TO DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES

As owner of new Johnson City business Taiwan On Bubble Tea & Sushi Cafe, which opened in October 2023, Preston Fowler

understands the meaning of hard work and determination –values he says he learned as a student in Johnson City Schools.

“The public school system’s strength lies in its flexibility. It allowed me to pursue my interests without constraint. With an abundance of resources and unwavering support from the staff, I felt empowered to reach my goals. If I ever lagged or failed to realize my full potential, the guidance and tailored course recommendations from the staff were invaluable. This environment instilled in me the confidence to surmount obstacles and prioritize my education,” Fowler says.

A Johnson City native,

Fowler attended Woodland Elementary, Indian Trail Middle, Liberty Bell Middle and Science Hill High School, which is ranked among the top 15 schools in the state by U.S. News & World Report. Of his time in the school system, he says he most appreciated the diverse range of courses offered as well as the opportunity to form friendships with other students from various backgrounds, the highly competitive athletics programs and, most notably, the exceptional teachers who he says prepared him for the real world.

The experiences that made the most impact, Fowler says, were National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and career and technical education classes, as well as shifts as a student office worker and the ability to be a peer tutor for the special education department.

“I also must commend

“The public school system’s strength lies in its ﬂexibility. It allowed me to pursue my interests without constraint.”

– Preston Fowler, Taiwan On Bubble Tea & Sushi Cafe

the top-tier math, English, history and science departments, which equipped me with the necessary tools for success in any chosen field of study,” Fowler says. “I credit the dual enrollment classes through East Tennessee State and Northeast State for jump-starting my college coursework and credits.”

EXPOSURE TO DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS

Bradley Eshbach, owner of The Generalist general store and retail collective in downtown Johnson City and vice president and managing director at Creative Energy advertising agency, moved to the area at age 12. Like Fowler, he attended Indian

Trail Middle School and Science Hill High School and East Tennessee State University for college. After graduating from ETSU in 2009, Eschbach moved to Chicago, where he met his wife, Lora.

“I grew up here, and I loved all kinds of things about it. I didn’t necessarily leave because I just had to get out; I wanted to get some experience in my career. But when COVID hit and my job went remote, that gave us the opportunity to move back to East Tennessee. My wife loved it here, and my family was here, so it made sense,” Eshbach says. “The funny thing is, I came here as a fully remote worker, but I now work for an agency based in Johnson City.”

Eshbach, too, credits much of his success to the support he received as a student growing up in Johnson City Schools.

“Full disclosure, I was not the best student,” he says. “But I’ve been wildly successful in comparison to my academic performance. I appreciate that even though I wasn’t the valedictorian with a 4.0 grade point average, I was still very much supported by my teachers and was a valued part of the community.”

He agrees that the school system’s diversity is one of the biggest advantages for students and their families.

“Johnson City is much morediverse compared to the rest of East Tennessee. It really is the kind of place where you get to meet and interact with all types of people and get to experience the entire community,” Eshbach says. “It also gave me a tremendous amount of confidence. In Chicago, I was often in rooms with people who had very prestigious university names next to their degrees or went to fancy schools in fancy suburbs, but I went to Science Hill High School, and I’m spinning circles around them. Not only do I have a seat at the table, but I think I have a more well-informed and a more diverse viewpoint of the world.”

– Teree Caruthers

Learn more about how great schools set students up for success at livability.com/tn/ johnson-city

PHOTOS, FROM TOP: WILLIAM BARTLEY; COURTESY OF THE GENERALIST

Bradley Eshbach, right, owner of The Generalist

By the Numbers

8,000 K-12 students in the Johnson City Schools system

Total number of public schools in the region

Top 15

Science Hill High School’s ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Tennessee High Schools

27 Advanced Placement classes at Science Hill High School

STUDENT BODY DEMOGRAPHICS

50+ Languages spoken by students

NATURE’S

Playground

Explore the top 10 outdoor experiences in and around Johnson City

White Rock at Buffalo Mountain Park

Outdoor splendor is always in sight around Johnson City, with plenty of activities to enjoy throughout the region in addition to all of that beautiful scenery.

“Johnson City sits right in the middle of almost every outdoor activity,” says Eric Payne, assistant director of outdoor adventure at East Tennessee State University. “There’s rock climbing, rafting, mountain biking and caving. The Appalachian Trail runs right by here, and the mountains are chock-full of other trails. You can pretty much hit just about everything from Johnson City as a base point.”

Here are 10 places in and around Johnson City that showcase the region’s natural charms.

1) Roan Mountain State Park

Might as well start at the top. Roan Mountain contains some of the highest points in Tennessee outside

of the Great Smoky Mountains, with elevations on the 5-mile-long ridge reaching nearly 6,300 feet. Numerous hiking trails cut through the 2,000-acre park, as does the trout-filled Doe River. The park also contains the world’s largest natural Catawba rhododendron garden.

2) Appalachian Trail

The longest and most famous hiking-only trail in the country skirts just to the east of Johnson City, with multiple access points less than 30 minutes from downtown. Payne recommends taking in the views from Blackstack Cliffs (especially at sunset) and the Unaka Mountain Beauty Spot, one of the most accessible lookouts in the area.

3) Boone Lake

The 4,400-acre reservoir is renowned for its serene beauty and recreational opportunities. With its pristine waters, Boone Lake invites visitors to spend an afternoon

casting lines into its depths and cruising under a canopy of lush foliage. Fishermen can expect to reel in varieties of bass and catfish.

4) Laurel Falls

It takes a little more work to reach this water feature, but the result is worth the effort. Located just off U.S. Highway 321 approximately 20 miles east of Johnson City, 55-foot-high Laurel Falls is the picturesque payoff at the end of a moderate 2.5-mile hike through rhododendron forests.

5) Lamar Alexander

Rocky Fork State Park

For the outdoor adventurist, Whitehouse Cliffs at this 2,076-acre park is ideal for rock climbing. There are nearly 40 routes at or near development along the 200-foot-high quartzite cliff. The park also has 20 miles of marked hiking trails and 15 miles of mountain biking trails.

Boone Lake

6) Nolichucky River

Keep the adrenaline pumping with a whitewater rafting trip along the Nolichucky River, which includes an 8-mile stretch near Erwin, a town just 20 minutes away, that has Class III and IV rapids. Calmer pursuits such as kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and fishing also can be enjoyed within the river’s wide and steep gorges.

7) Tweetsie Trail

Perhaps the easiest way to enjoy the outdoors in Johnson City is on the Tweetsie Trail, a rails-to-trails project that travels for nearly 10 miles to Elizabethton. The route follows the old East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad

right-of-way, prompting the trail name of “Tweetsie” in reference to the sound of an old steam-train whistle. The path is mostly flat, a relaxed luxury among the mountainous East Tennessee region.

8) Tannery Knobs

Outdoor adventure doesn’t get much closer to home than at the Tannery Knobs mountain bike park. Located barely a mile from downtown Johnson City, Tannery Knobs has options for riders of various skill levels across its 40 acres of diverse terrain, including a pump track.

9) Buffalo Mountain Park

Equally convenient is Buffalo Mountain Park, overlooking the

city just 3 miles south of downtown. This 725-acre natural resource area on the north slope of Buffalo Mountain has eight short trails totaling 7.2 miles, making it ideal for a quick after-work walk with the dog. The park also links to several surrounding trails for longer hikes.

10) Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower

A sprawling panoramic view unfolds at this historic fire tower, one of only four remaining in Cherokee National Forest. The 40-foot-tall structure was renovated in 2011 to include a covered platform. The breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks have always been there.

– Cary Estes

Tweetsie Trail Laurel Falls

Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower

Economic Profile Economic Profile

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT INCOME

91%

High school grad or higher

$35,562 Per capita income

$58,507

40.2%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

NEARBY EDUCATION OPTIONS

» East Tennessee State University

» King University

» Milligan University

» Northeast State Community College

Did You Know? The soft drinks Mountain Dew and Dr. Enuf originated in Johnson City.

$50,000

$200,000 7%

FAST FACT

Johnson City Chamber of Commerce organizes more than 20 community events each year.

MAJOR COMPANIES HEADQUARTERED IN JOHNSON CITY

» Advanced Call Center Technologies

» American Water Heater Co.

» General Shale Brick

» JD Squared

» LPI Inc.

» Moody Dunbar Inc.

» Mullican Flooring

» R.A. Colby Inc.

» TPI Corp.

ACCOLADES

#1 Emerging Housing Market

Named by Realtor.com and The Wall Street Journal

One of the 10 Most Diversified Metro Economies in the U.S. Named by Livability.com

Sources: Census Reporter, U.S. Census, Johnson City Chamber of Commerce

Old Buildings,

Mixed-use spaces reuse infrastructure to blend historic character with new purpose

Developers transform historic downtown buildings into retail, restaurant and apartment concepts.

Johnson City, Tennessee

Johnson City has many charming attributes of a smaller city, in addition to hot projects keeping the development scene active and the streets of downtown vibrant and thriving.

Two local developers are teaming up to transform a former JCPenney building into a new mixed-use project called The Henry On Main.

Universal Development and Construction (UDC) and Mitch Cox Cos. are revamping this 100,000-square-foot property into 32 one-, two- and threebedroom residential lofts. The project also includes approximately 22,000 square feet of commercial space for lease. Businesses occupying the building include Vibes Nail and Lotion Bar and Levels Barbershop.

“The apartments will have all the finishes you’d expect in downtown living, like high-volume ceilings, large windows, exposed brick and beautifully exposed wood beams,” says Shane Abraham, founder, president and CEO

of UDC. “We always try to provide the best value in the market in any project we undertake. This includes the price point, finishes, amenities and location.”

LABOR OF LOVE

Renovating a property that’s more than 100 years old has challenges, but UDC is up to the task. Founded in 1998, UDC is a fully integrated real estate development company specializing in the development, construction and management of multifamily communities. The company has developed more than 4,000 multifamily homes in conjunction with Mitch Cox Cos,. in East Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Western South Carolina, with more than 1,000 in the development pipeline.

Projects like The Henry are a source of pride for Abraham because he’s directly contributing to his hometown’s renaissance.

“I was born and raised in Johnson City and have seen

downtown Johnson City change greatly,” Abraham says. “What was once a gritty, blighted and often flooded part of town has now evolved into a wonderful area with great parks and new businesses. New residence options are coming online as well, like The Henry, and we’re proud to see this project come to completion.”

WELCOMING COMMUNITY

Small business owners are also benefiting from new developments.

Sanjay Bakshi of Baba Enterprise will bring the first food hall to the region in 2024. The project is part of a renovation of a 100-year-old, 21,000-square-foot building that was formerly a tobacco warehouse. Bakshi worked his way up and identified the region as a welcoming community with good investment opportunities, including this food hall, which will offer seven to 10 local chefs incubation space for their restaurant concepts.

“Johnson City is a proactive and progressive city that is ﬁnding itself with a national spotlight on it.”

–

Shane Abraham, Universal Development and Construction

“We have lots of local ﬂavor in restaurants and shops, with a balance of entrepreneurs and a variety of major chains,”

Abraham says. “Johnson City’s success can also be a ributed to our high-quality educational institutions, like East Tennessee State University and Milligan University.”

Abraham cites many other factors that contribute to the ongoing success of new developments in Johnson City. For instance, local government, including the planning department,

public works and everything in between, is “business-friendly.”

He also credits the signiﬁcance of living in a community with a commitment to quality of life, which prioritizes outdoor activities and cultural and historical activities. A diverse economy also keeps the region thriving.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

UDC isn’t stopping at The Henry On Main. Abraham says his company is planning another residential development in the area.

Universal at Mountain View is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. The development will be a 320-unit residential neighborhood that will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment, townhome and singlefamily rental options in North Johnson City.

“That will give residents great proximity to all kinds of shopping and dining options as well,” Abraham says.

There are still many more projects like the former JCPenney that could use new life. Abraham says, even though the work’s not done yet, they’re making an impact.

“Johnson City is a proactive and progressive city that is ﬁnding itself with a national spotlight on it,” he says. “We’re proud to be a small part of helping this city grow.”

– Val Hunt Beerbower

GOOD

Johnson City is a national leader in rural health care

MEDICINE

Johnson City is a wellestablished health and wellness hub for Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and

City, Tennessee

is recognized as a national leader in rural health innovation. It is home to the Johnson City Medical Center, which houses the

area’s only Level I trauma center, the Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University and other

health organizations working together to transform how people across the region access the care they need.

“Having access to quality health care is a vital component of a thriving community.”

–

Andréa Brady Verzi, Appalachian Mountain Project Access

Appalachian Mountain Project Access collaborates on ways to eliminate health care gaps.

Reimagining Rural Health

A modern, well-equipped hospital, Johnson City Medical Center is the surgical and medical flagship facility of Ballad Health, an integrated health organization serving 29 counties in the Appalachian Highlands. The comprehensive facility is a 445-bed, regional acute-care teaching hospital affiliated with ETSU

and is the site of the Highlands Emergency Air Rescue and Transport, or HEART. The fleet is the region’s largest group of dedicated emergency air ambulances, with bases in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky providing timely life-saving services throughout the region.

As part of the Ballad Health system, Johnson City Medical Center engages in the adoption of value-based payments,

addresses health-related social needs and helps fund clinical and health systems’ research. Committed to the longterm investments in children and families, the medical center is focused on becoming a national model for rural health and health care. While the Highlands has rich, cultural roots and a deep well of community strengths, the rural locales also face many

socioeconomic issues affecting the region’s welfare. To positively address these challenges, Ballad Health works collaboratively with key local partners, such as serving as the backbone organization of the 300-member Striving Towards Resilience and Opportunity for the Next Generation or STRONG Accountable Care Community.

In addition, Ballad Health

provides services through the Appalachian Highlands Care Network, which connects thousands of uninsured patients and their families with free or low-cost health, community and financial services, plus other assistance.

CommunitySupported Care

Appalachian Mountain Project Access has connected low-income, uninsured individuals to donated medical care for 15 years and has an

average of 1,000 patients actively enrolled in the program with many success stories.

“I remember a lady who came into our office and was out of work, in pain and needed a hip replacement,” says Andréa Brady Verzi, executive director of Project Access.

“We were able to help her get the needed surgery. Afterward, she was able to return to work, got promoted and now has health insurance. We try to help intervene before

the situation becomes an emergency.”

Positive outcomes like this are the fuel that keeps the passion to serve burning bright at Project Access.

The organization is also a member of the Appalachian Highlands Care Network. After screening participants for financial and medical needs, the organization tries to connect individuals with insurance, when possible, but regularly works with local physicians, hospitals and medical groups who have agreed to see patients at no cost to them.

“Having access to quality health care is a vital component of a thriving community,” Verzi adds.

Training Health Care Providers

East Tennessee State University’s Quillen College of Medicine is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the

nation’s leading schools for rural medicine and primary care training. It is part of the university’s Academic Health Sciences Center, featuring the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences and the College of Public Health.

The colleges are part of ETSU Health that, in addition to providing training for the next generation of caregivers, offers an expert team of more than 300 providers who serve the community inside health clinics and hospitals. Care is available in dozens of specialties, including pediatric and genetics, many that otherwise would not be available in the region.

Plus, ETSU Health’s genetics clinic is one of only three centers in the state.

“Improving the quality of life for our region is our primary mission, both as an academic institution and as health care providers,” says Dr. Bill Block, ETSU’s vice president for clinical affairs and dean of Quillen College of Medicine.

“Every day, we are proud to serve the underserved by providing innovative training across dozens of health science programs, thereby preparing a well-qualified workforce to meet health care shortages.”

– Patsy B. Weiler

PHOTOS: ETSU

Staff at ETSU Center for Rural Health Research works to support and promote rural health.

Green and Clean WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET RUNS FROM SPRING TO FALL

Located in the heart of downtown is the Johnson City Farmers Market (JCFM), which sets up seasonally and sells fresh items from local farmers. JCFM operates every Saturday from April through October on West Main Street in the pavilion at Founders Park. Hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The market features local producers selling organic and naturally grown produce along with several varieties of meat, baked goods and fresh eggs. Also available are flowers, plants, herbs, artisan crafts and food trucks.

The market’s main objective is to support area farmers, gardeners, bakers, canners, artists and vendors. For more information or to join the other 16,000+ JCFM Facebook followers, visit facebook.com/ johnsoncityfarmersmarket

–

Kevin Litwin

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An itinerary for making every meal an experience in Johnson City

Dining options in Johnson City are plentiful, so hungry residents and visitors have multiple choices for every meal of the day. From a.m. eats to late-night fine dining, here are some of the best spots in town to grab a bite. Dig in!

THE MOST IMPORTANT MEAL OF THE DAY

Weekend mornings may be lazy for non-bakers, but the owner of the deceptively named Lazy Lady Baking Co. is up and about in the wee hours, turning out sweet and savory baked goods for local coffee shops, catering and special orders.

Popular local restaurants to try include Main Street Pizza Co., White Duck Taco Shop, LABEL and The Firehouse.

Lazy Lady’s own Saturday-throughMonday brick-and-mortar sells an inventive selection of rotating pastries like carrot and goat cheese Danishes and Thanksgiving leftovers-inspired croissants. Early birds looking to satisfy their sweet tooths on weekdays can hit up family-owned Auntie Ruth’s Doughnuts & Pretzels, which started out as a food truck before opening a storefront from which they serve treats like blackberrycream cheese doughnuts.

For an ultra-fast morning pick-meup, Pal’s Sudden Service is the place;

the regional chain was launched in nearby Kingsport, and now serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at a handful of Johnson City locations. Its breakfast offerings include biscuits served with sausage, bacon, country ham, butter or gravy along with “cheddar rounds” – the chain’s unique take on cheesy hashbrowns. Finally, check out Blended Pedaler, which turns out lighter fare in the form of elaborate smoothies and acai bowls loaded with toppings both healthy (banana, walnuts, blueberries) and indulgent (chocolate chips, Nutella).

NOSHING AT NOON

Smoked meat isn’t the lightest midday meal, but everyone who’s ever felt the heartbreak of arriving at a sold-out barbecue joint knows it’s better to show up early, even if opening hours do extend into the evening. The Firehouse, located in a decommissioned Johnson City fire station since 1981, originally started as a lunch counter; now it serves hickory-smoked ribs, chicken, pork and brisket as well as burgers, soups and salads in a sit-down dining room. Downtown’s Southern Craft BBQ also turns out classic barbecue

along with modern cocktails and craft beer from local brewery Great Oak Brewing.

For international flavors, The Roots Vietnamese Restaurant offers massive, comforting bowls of pho, boba tea and specials like Korean rib fried rice and crawfish boils. Red Meze serves Turkish delights like sigara boregi (feta cheese wrapped in a crispy phyllo dough) and patlican kizartmasi (roasted eggplant in a creamy tomato sauce) alongside an eclectic mix of burgers, pizza and other Mediterranean dishes like gyros and pita.

White Duck Taco Shop combines cuisine from around the globe with its fusion tacos: It offers banh mi and tofu; jerk chicken; duck and mole; Thai peanut

chicken; and beef bulgogi tacos, just to name a few.

DINNER DATES

If – by some miracle – you still have room for dinner, there are plenty of options. Located in a rehabbed historic train depot, BURG’r & BARREL serves indulgent hamburgers topped with everything from macaroni and cheese to crispy pork belly. Guests can stay hydrated with cocktails or a self-serve beer wall.

Just a few blocks away, Main Street Pizza Co. serves specialty and build-your-own pizzas as well as pasta favorites with a concise but quality list of craft beers and mocktails in addition to its full bar.

Fine dining options in the city include Juniper, a modern American

eatery with an oft-changing menu that includes Southern touches like chicken pot pie croquettes and fried green tomatoes served with burrata. LABEL and Juan Siao are sister restaurants to Southern Craft BBQ, so diners can expect the same quality and friendly service at all three eateries. At LABEL, surf and turf and fi let mignon entrees share menu space with a Kobe beef truﬄe burger and chopped bison steak, while Juan Siao combines Asian and Mexican flavors in dishes like ultra-trendy birria ramen, grilled chicken and shrimp with tamarind aioli and lemongrass oil, and pork belly tacos topped with Asian-inspired slaw and hoisin sauce.

– Amy Antonation

PHOTOS,

Lazy Lady Baking Co.

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