Council Program Keeps Local Leaders ‘Tech Fit’
Published Apr 08, 2004
Keeping decision-makers “tech-fit” is a prime goal of the Northeast Tennessee Technology Council, one of the state’s newest technology advocates.
Chartered in 2000 to influence technology growth in an eight- county region, the Kingsport-based NETTC encourages officials to give technology advances the same attention as highway, utility or other infrastructure proposals.
“We see our government, civic and community leaders as being enablers,” says Rod Healy, NETTC president. “They make decisions on policy that really impacts how communities embrace technology and how people in the community feel about technology.” By supporting technology-based businesses and entrepreneurs, and by providing networking opportunities, NETTC helps decision-makers understand technology and keep abreast of changes.
The council aims to invite technology-savvy students from East Tennessee State University and Northeast State Community College to teach tech-fitness to decision-makers.
“With technology development, we really need to retain our creative young people,” says Vivian Crymble, NETTC executive director. “If we can get these young people out in front of business and civic leaders, perhaps they can find jobs here and won’t be leaving.”
The NETTC currently has 90 members and serves Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties. The council recently completed an information technology survey, identifying services and products and mapping clusters of IT companies to benefit the region and its recruiting efforts.
A directory of bioscience companies is planned in the near future, looking at the growing med-tech corridor in the Tri-Cities region of Kingsport, Bristol and Johnson City – home to corridor anchor ETSU and its College of Medicine.
The NETTC also recognizes technology success stories with its TechStar Awards each fall.
Story by Kay Brookshire
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