THE KINGSPORT BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMAN HAS APPROVED FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KINGSPORT CENTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. LAST NIGHT, THE BMA, APPROVED JUST OVER 11 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD THE 54-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT LEARNING CENTER WHICH WILL BE BUILT AT THE CORNER OF CLAY AND MARKET STREETS. NORTHEAST STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL OPERATE THE FACILITY AND WILL OFFER THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF CORE COURSES. PARTICIPATING UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES WOULD THEN OFFER THEIR BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S PROGRAMS WITH DEGREES IN THEIR NAME. CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY. THE CENTER IS EXPECTED TO BE OPEN FOR CLASSES IN AUGUST OF NEXT YEAR.