NEWPORT-Members of the Newport/Cocke County Economic Development Commission's Executive Committee received promising news from Cocke County Partnership President Don Hurst on Thursday during their meeting at Lois's Country Kitchen.

In his report to the group, Hurst said negotiations for the sale of the former Lisega building continue, a meeting is scheduled next week regarding the NPI building, and "conversations" continue with companies interested in a "couple of other buildings" for industrial purposes.

Hurst also reported the owners of former ACE building have decided to recycle the steel and concrete from it, thereby converting the property back to an industrial building site for marketing purposes.

In addition to positive news about industrial buildings, Hurst also said the county's property between Hwy. 25/70 and Hwy. 411 is "now ready to market."

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