KINGSPORT HAS RECEIVED A 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL GRANT FOR ITS CENTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. U.S. SENATORS BOB CORKER AND LAMAR ALEXANDER AND CONGRESSMAN DAVID DAVIS WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN SECURING THE FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR THE 50-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT CENTER TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF THE OLD TIRE CENTER BUILDING AT THE CORNER OF CLAY AND MARKET STREETS. THE FEDERAL GRANT WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ECOMONIC DEVELOPMENT AGMINISTRATION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND WILL BE MANAGED BY NORTHEAST STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE. KING COLLEGE, THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AND LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY ARE PARTICIPATING AND WILL OFFER DEGREE PROGRAMS. CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN THE FALL OF 2009.