NEWPORT-Cocke County Partnership President Don Hurst's report to the group's board of directors Thursday contained several bits of positive economic news for Cocke County.

Hurst told the group that "conversations" continue with a company interested in the former Lisega building and that his office is "working on" a lease agreement with another company for another building.

"We met again this morning with the company interested in the Lisega building," said Hurst, "and are waiting on a decision from them."

More good news concerns two retail companies that have expressed an interest in locating in Newport. "We hope for a possible spring opening for one of them," Hurst said.

For more details, please see the weekend edition of the Newport Plain Talk.