KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WCYB) — Small businesses in Kingsport were recognized at a special breakfast on Thursday morning.
It was part of the city’s KOSBE initiative. KOSBE, which stands for the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship. The goal of KOSBE is to nurture, counsel, and encourage the growth of new and existing small businesses.
News 5’s Rebecca Pepin was there to present awards to entrepreneurs in several different categories.
“We knew we wanted this award, this award means so much to us, just to be recognized as a small business in the community,” said Timothy Dougherty with Tri-Cities Electric. “One of the hardest things as a small business is just getting your name out there, so cementing ourselves in the community, it’s huge.”
“Kingsport’s been a phenomenal place for us to start the business, to run the business, to grow our family, and to make those lifelong connections, so it’s just a blessing,” Jason Kocienski with Digital Overwatch said.
KOSBE offers assistance to entrepreneurs in writing business plans, obtaining funding, and navigating government contracts as needed.
