HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY CAN A COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAVE ON A REGION? WELL, ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY, NORTHEAST STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN BLOUNTVILLE MADE AN ALMOST 280 MILLION DOLLAR ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THIS AREA OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. NORTHEAST STATE HAS EXPERIENCED ENROLLMENT INCREASES IN 9 OF THE LAST TEN FALL SEMESTERS. THE REPORT ALSO REVEALED LOCAL, FULL-TIME JOBS CREATED AND SUSTAINED BY THE COLLEGE’S PRESENCE WAS 10,305 DURING THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD. NEXT YEAR, THE KINGSPORT CENTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION WILL OPEN DOWNTOWN. IT WILL BE MANAGED BY NORTHEAST STATE AND WILL ALSO HAVE CLASSES FROM KING COLLEGE, AND OTHER INSITUTIONS.