About Us
The Cocke County Partnership/Economic Development Commission works with local governments and regional/state economic development agencies to recruit new jobs to the area. The Economic Development Commission is the Joint Economic and Community Development Board of record that is recognized by the State of Tennessee for Newport and Cocke County. The Economic Development Commission is funded by the City of Newport and Cocke County governments as well as various other community partners .
The Economic Development Commission is a part of the Cocke County Partnership. The Cocke County Partnership is a cooperative effort between three of the agencies geared towards the improvement of Cocke County. These organizations, in addition to the Economic Development Commission, include: Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Tourism.
Our Location
Stategy/Goals
Board of Directors
Our Staff
Our Location
The Cocke County Partnership/Economic Development Commission’s offices are located at 433 Prospect Avenue in Newport, Tennessee and are housed in the Newport Community Center. The Newport Community Center also houses the offices of the Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Tourism.
Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. on Friday.
Main Number: (423) 623-3008
Fax: (423) 625-1846
Email Addresses
Our Staff
The Cocke County Partnership/Economic Development Commission is staffed by two professionals with a combined 69 years of experience.
Donald Hurst, CEcD
President/Executive, Cocke County Partnership
Donald Hurst is currently serving as the President/Executive Director of the Cocke County Partnership/Economic Development. He served in this position from November 2002 until July 2007 and returned to the position on August 3, 2009.
His early career began in the retail department store business and lasted for more than twenty years. After leaving the retail business, he was a real estate broker and managed a real estate firm in East Tennessee. After this he worked in the publishing industry with The Tri-Cities Business Journal. Immediately prior to serving in the position of the President of the Cocke County Partnership/Economic Development Commission initially, he was a regional representative with the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development. He served as President of Carter County Tomorrow from August 2007 until July 2009.
He received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. He holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Science in Technology from East Tennessee State University. He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute from the Oklahoma University and is a Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council.
He is a member of the Area-Wide Development Corporation, and the Mid-East Tennessee P-16 Council. He is also a member of the Advisory Committee for the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency and the Tennessee Economic Development Council.
Office: (423) 623-3009
Email: donhurst@bellsouth.net
Sherry Butler
Vice President of Operations, Cocke County Partnership
Sherry Butler has been employed by the City of Newport and Cocke County Partnership/Economic Development Commission since June 1977. She currently serves the organization as the Vice-President of Operations.
She has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Management Technology from Walters State Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management from Tusculum College. She received her Basic Economic Development Certificate from Georgia Tech Institute of Technology in 2006.
She is a graduate of Leadership Cocke County and East Tennessee Regional Leadership Association. She currently is a member on the Governor’s Three-Star Advisory Council, a member of the East Tennessee Industrial Council, a member of the Mid-East Tennessee P-16 Regional Council, and Board Member Emeritus of Leadership Cocke County.
Office: (423) 623-3008
Email: sherrybutler@bellsouth.net
Our Mission
The purpose of the Cocke County Partnership is to enhance the county’s economic climate.
Our Vision
To be a diverse, sustainable, economically developed, vibrant community while remaining good stewards of the environment.
Our Values
- Embrace, Celebrate and Preserve Diversity, Heritage, Natural Resources
- Service – The people of Cocke County are our customers and are the reason for our existence.
- Excellence – Lead by example.
- Integrity
- Teamwork
- Respect for Others
We will accomplish our goals by developing and implementing strategies for:
- Community and economic development that promotes diversification and creates better jobs for Cocke Countians;
- Retention and expansion of existing business and industry in Cocke County;
- Promoting and developing tourism;
- Promoting civic, social, cultural, and educational programs which will enhance the quality of life while preserving our natural resources.
