GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS AS SALES TAX COLLECTIONS CONTINUE TO GROW IN KINGSPORT. MODEL CITY SALES TAX COLLECTIONS ARE UP ALMOST NINE PERCENT IN THE NOVEMBER REPORT REPRESENTING SEPTEMBER SALES. COLLECTIONS ARE UP ALMOST ELEVEN PERCENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT BEGAN ON JULY 1ST. SALES TAX GROWTH SECTIONS THROUGH THE SUMMER INCLUDE MANUFACTURING WHICH WAS UP 48-THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM 2007, RESTAURANT TAX GROWTH WAS UP OVER 59-THOUSAND DOLLARS, AND AUTO DEALERS AND SERVICE STATIONS WERE UP OVER 22-THOUSAND DOLLARS. ACCORDING TO CITY MANAGER JOHN CAMPBELL, THERE’S EVEN MORE GOOD NEWS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN EARLY 2009 WITH DECORATOR’S WAREHOUSE SET OPEN BEFORE CHRISTMAs, WHILE BEST BUY SHOULD COME ONLINE EARLY IN THE YEAR. IN ADDITION, KINGSPORT TOWN CENTER WILL BE UNDERGOING A RENOVATION BEGINNING IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2009.