NEWPORT-Cocke County Partnership directors learned Monday that many projects and activities are underway in Cocke County.

Meeting for the first time at Kentucky Fried Chicken, the board heard reports from several partnership organizations as well as updates from the group's tourism, chamber of commerce, and economic development offices.

A special guest at the meeting was Elizabeth Parker, newly-named chair of the Haiti Project steering committee, a group pledged to raising money for a new community in the earthquake ravaged Central American country.

Parker explained the project to the members, saying plans call for a project which will "sleep hundreds and feed thousands."

Plans call for sleeping units to be built on seven acres of land about on the northern coast of the country in the city of Port du Nord, a city whose population has swelled from 60,000 to over 200,000 since the quake.

"This project can be completed for approximately $100,000," said Parker, "but we can start building once we raise approximately $10,000."

Parker announced that two local business owners, Tammy and Jabo Francis, kicked off the campaign with donations of $1,000 each from Smoky Mountain Home Health & Hospice and Jabo's Pharmacy with a challenge to other businesses to meet their gifts.

"I'm proud to say that the company I work for, Phoenix Closures, has met their challenge with another $1,000," Parker said.

After hearing Parker's remarks, Partnership board members unanimously went on record in support of the project.

Tourism Director Linda Lewanski reported on numerous upcoming events, including Wild West Days in Del Rio April 1-4, Under the Apple Trees April 16-17 and 23-25, and Cosby in the Park on May 15.

"A new event will be Springtime on Cosby on May 29-30," added Lewanski, "which will be held at the Visitor's Center."

"We'll be meeting with Park officials this Friday to firm up plans for this year's Cosby in the Park celebration," she added.

Lewanski also reported on plans for a brochure for motorcyclists traveling through East Tennessee as well as the ongoing Hwy. 321 Scenic Byway project. "We'll be applying for a grant for interpretive signage for the lakes along the byway," she said.

"Duay and I will continue our work on Civil War Trail signage for Cocke County."

Chamber of Commerce Director Kandee Veridal reported on three recent grand openings-Premier Barbers, Cosby's Rural Medical Center, and Safe Harbor Child Advocacy.

"We'd like to invite everyone to Hooray's ribbon cutting this Friday, March 12," she added.

"Our customer service seminar is Tuesday, March 9, at 5:30 p.m., and we will have a law briefing with Wimberly and Lawson on March 30," she continued.

According to Veridal, the chamber sent out 17 visitor and relocation packets during February.