By Scott Robertson We are told the end of what Dennis Vonderfecht once referred to as the Friday night football mentality of economic development is growing near. But we have been told this before. We remember when private sector leaders came together to form a regional alliance for economic development to end the petty battles between Northeast Tennessee’s county economic developers. But we remember how ma ...

It’s a promise…but not a guarantee By Tammy Childress A statewide mentoring program modeled on a successful Knoxville-area effort will be a key component of Tennessee Promise, the new program providing two years of community college or a college of applied technology (TCAT) free of tuition and fees to graduating Tennessee high school seniors. Announced in February, Tennessee Promise is part of Gov. Bill Has ...

Wellmont's leaders expound on search process By Jeff Keeling Wellmont Health System made it official Jan. 9: To prepare for a successful future in “the rapidly changing healthcare industry,” the not-for-profit provider would spend 2014 “evaluating strategic options,” including the possibility of aligning with another system. Under board of directors guidance and led by a strategic options committee, that pr ...

Two sides "never stopped talking" after 2011 rift By Scott Robertson Photos by Scott Robertson Almost three years to the day after Mountain States Health Alliance and CIGNA announced they would no longer be doing business together, the two companies have reached agreement on a new deal that will once again allow Cigna customers to access Mountain States facilities and services at in-network rates. The three ...