The Southern Appalachian Economic Development Partnership is a partnership of nine counties covering more than 3,300 square miles in East Tennessee and Southeast Kentucky. These nine primarily rural counties - Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins, McCreary, Scott, and Union - are located within a 500-mile radius of over 75% of the major U.S. markets.

The Southern Appalachian Economic Development Partnership is a project of Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority, a community action agency based in Morristown, TN. We have received funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to promote economic development activities in our region.

For detailed county information, please click on the map below

Our partnership has three primary goals:

1. Attract new industrial companies to locate in the region and assist existing firms with expansion projects.

2. Prepare communities and their leaders for economic growth.

3. Use the Internet to promote economic development within the individual counties and the region.

The Southern Appalachian Economic Development Partnership works closely with federal, state and local governments, as well as many other organizations interested in economic development in the region. This network includes Tennessee and Kentucky state departments of economic and workforce development, the Tennessee Valley Authority, local utilities, community colleges and technical education centers, community-based organizations, chambers of commerce, federal agencies who provide services to the region, and elected officials.

Simply put: Our mission is to assist your business with its expansion or relocation plans. Tell us what you need and we’ll provide you with the services to become fully operational in the shortest amount of time.