KOSBE Becomes New Kingsport Affiliate Office of TSBDC at ETSU

Kingsport, TN, March 13, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Today, your Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a news conference with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) to announce the new TSBDC at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office, this afternoon in your Kingsport Chamber Board Room.

TSBDC Director, Pat Geho and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Tennessee District Director, Walter Perry announced the new Kingsport Affiliate Office at the news conference with local business and community leaders.

The TSBDC at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office is located inside your Kingsport Chamber’s Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship (KOSBE).

KOSBE is proud to be the Kingsport Affiliate Office of the TSBDC at ETSU. The TSBDC Network is comprised of over 40 locations throughout the State of Tennessee, whose primary function is to provide counseling services and educational opportunities to entrepreneurs and “for profit” new and existing small businesses.

“The paring of KOSBE and the TSBDC is a great opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs not only in Kingsport, but throughout the region,” said Miles Burdine, Kingsport Chamber President & CEO. “This has opened the doors for our executive director, Aundrea Wilcox to provide more services and resources to current and prospective clients in Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock and Hawkins counties along with existing and prospective clients in the City of Kingsport.”

After the news conference, a surprise Ribbon Cutting was held at the front entrance to the KOSBE office where Mayor Dennis Phillips among others helped cut the red signature ribbon.

"Aundrea will also have more access to other TSBDC certified counselors with wide-ranging expertise and knowledge," said Burdine.

“We are proud and honored to have an affiliate office for the TSBDC in Kingsport,” said Phillips.

Through its affiliation with TSBDC at ETSU, the Kingsport Affiliate Office has access to new and unique resources and programs of a major regional university, enhancing services available to client businesses.

The TSBDC Network is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Tennessee Board of Regents under Cooperative Agreement No. 7-603001-Z-0045-24.

The cooperative agreement between the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce (Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship) and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U. S. Small Business Administration. SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.

The Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business organization comprised of nearly 1,000 members. The Kingsport Chamber’s mission is to utilize resources and focus efforts on enhancing a strong and viable business environment for the Kingsport area.

For more information on the Kingsport Chamber Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) and the TSBDC at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office, visit www.kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8800. We’re social too; follow us on our Facebook page, Melissa At KOSBE and on our Twitter account, @MsKOSBE.

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