Tourism dominated much of the discussion at Monday’s meeting of the Johnson County Joint Economic and Community Development Board, with members celebrating the success of the Fiddlers Convention, discussing the need for a dedicated tourism director, and looking ahead to new opportunities for attracting visitors to the county.
The November 9 meeting also included updates on the European American Armory firearms assembly operation, efforts to attract a buyer for the former Parkdale building, improvements to the county’s recycling facilities, and a proposed runway extension at the Johnson County Airport.
Johnson County Mayor Larry Potter began the meeting with a positive update on the Cpl. William C. Mosier Memorial Building, indicating that both the meat processing facility and the cosmetology program were operating successfully. The meat processing facility is fully booked through January and will be offering extended hours until the end of deer season.
European American Armory Corporation Update
Danny Regnering, a representative for EAA, updated the group on the firearms assembly plant the company will be opening in the former Bike Factory Outlet. The 32,000-square-foot building, which includes approximately 3,000 square feet of office space, has undergone extensive rehabilitation, including heating, air conditioning, ventilation, and plumbing. Regnering indicated that the company would only need about 10,000 square feet and said that Keith Bernkrant, the owner of EAA, is actively seeking additional partners, an endeavor Regnering is confident will be successful.
“In Europe, and at his Florida factory, he’s found that related industries often follow an anchor operation and share a labor pool.”
The remaining work is primarily centered on security measures needed to satisfy ATF requirements and an indoor test range intended to limit noise. Regnering says equipment should begin arriving in January, and the operation is expected to assemble imported firearm components under the name Mountain City Firearms, with a projected initial workforce of 20 to 30 employees.
“He’s big on the community. He knows what this can bring to Johnson County,” Regnering said. “With Nakashima closing, we’re already talking about what comes next.”
Parkdale Update
The vacant Parkdale building has attracted inquiries but no firm commitment.
“We’ve had some people I call tire kickers,” Mayor Potter said. “But nobody is willing to jump into the driver’s seat and take it for a test drive yet.”
Potter said the size of the building has been a concern for potential buyers, although none has specifically identified the asking price as an obstacle. He also mentioned a potential 2027 project coming to Tennessee for which there are only three other buildings besides Parkdale of the right size available.
“That’s probably our warmest lead right now,” Potter said. “I personally brought the building information to the governor’s conference and made sure the ECD representatives knew about it.”
Jeff Fritts brought up the proposed inland port at Oak Park near Abingdon, Virginia, as an important development that could make it much easier to attract manufacturing.
According to a report from WCYB, “the project is set to be built on a 150+ acre lot in the Oak Park business and industrial park in Abingdon. It would serve as a shipping hub where cargo containers would be transferred from trucks to the rail line that goes through the property, before traveling to the Port of Virginia in Norfolk.”
Transfer Station Update
“We’ve secured the grant, but it has been a long process,” Potter explained, detailing a recycling grant totaling a little more than $500,000, with a local contribution of approximately $34,000 required.
Cardboard volume is substantial, and hauling costs were estimated at about $1,600 per truckload.
“We’ve already ordered a skid steer,” Potter said, “and we are in the process of ordering a Mack truck to handle roll-off containers and a baler for the transfer station.”
He also indicated that he plans to put a roll-off container inside the town to make it easier for residents to dispose of metal.
Tourism Update
The discussion of tourism efforts began with a recap of the Johnson County Fiddlers Convention. County Commissioner Kody Norris, one of the organizers, reported strong participation, including a competitor from Moscow, Russia, and said the quality of competition continues to improve.
“Honoring our musical heritage is incredibly important,” Norris said, “so future generations understand the depth of the musical legacy of Johnson County and Mountain City.”
County Commissioner Gina Meade brought up the need for a dedicated tourism director.
“I want to brag on Sheila [Caldwell] because she did such a good job,” she said. “For three, if not four years in a row, someone from Johnson County received a Pinnacle Award, and we were competing with events like Rhythm and Roots and Kingsport Fun Fest. Finding someone will be hard, but we cannot go backwards.”
“It takes a committed person with a lot of get-up-and-go,” Potter said. “It’s no easy task. Social media and marketing are part of it, too.”
When asked if the county was actively recruiting, Potter indicated that some efforts had been made to find a candidate, but funding constraints and competing priorities had slowed the search.
“Does the County Commission not see it as a priority?” Fritts asked.
Meade and Norris both raised their hands.
“Two of us do.”
“The county has to put its money where its mouth is,” Fritts continued. “If it wants the position filled, it needs to fund the salary. We cannot live on grants or keep asking whether there’s a grant for it.”
Potter suggested that the town could help supplement the position, and members discussed the possibility of sharing the cost between the town and county, potentially with initial outside funding to help establish the position. No funding agreement was reached.
While the tourism director position is still in the discussion and planning state, Potter also encouraged anyone at the meeting who knew of someone qualified for the position to let him know.
Tennessee Hills Distillery Update
“Tennessee Hills Distillery is looking at its fourth location,” Potter said. The company currently operates in Bristol, at the Pinnacle, as well as Johnson City and Jonesborough.
“They bought the former Watauga Lake Winery, which used to be the Dry Run School. I spoke with Steve Calhoun last week, and he said the previous occupants were finally out after more than a year. They’re excited to begin work and make the Johnson County Copperhead Road location their fourth operation.”
Potter said that building improvements are still needed, including electrical upgrades, so he was not able to give a definite opening date.
In addition to the distillery, plans include food service, and Potter said Calhoun mentioned possibly adding some cabins as well. He talked about Calhoun’s marketing prowess and indicated that his efforts could provide numerous tourism opportunities for Johnson County.
Amelia Lopez-Saltarelli, the newly elected alderman for the town, suggested the possibility of a Copperhead Road Festival at the Copperhead Road landmark adjacent to the new location. The idea was discussed informally, with no event announced or scheduled. Potter jokingly said Calhoun would probably have a festival every weekend.
Johnson County Airport Update
The county is looking to create a runway extension that will allow larger planes. The airport generally serves small, two-person, single-engine or four-person, twin-engine aircraft, but as Norris noted, a runway extension that could allow larger private jets to fly in and out could open more economic development opportunities.
Potter mentioned that the largest plane in the airport’s history recently took off carrying the ASU basketball team to Alabama to play Auburn.
“I’ve had several meetings with Wiley [Roark of Maymead],” Potter said. “We’re in the process of acquiring about three acres of land for the extension. That will be a blessing.”
Looking Ahead
The meeting offered encouraging news about new businesses, industrial development, and infrastructure improvements. Members appeared to agree that Johnson County should not lose the momentum it has built through festivals, cultural events, and regional recognition. Whether that agreement translates into a funded tourism director position, potentially supported by both the town and county, remains an open question.
