THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON DIDN’T PROVIDE MUCH RELIEF TO THE SLUMPING SALES TAX REVENUES IN SULLIVAN COUNTY. THE COUNTY’S BUDGET OFFICE RELEASED A REPORT SHOWING REVENUES FROM SALES TAXES IN THE COUNTY ARE DOWN 1.9 PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME. THE DROP FOLLOWS THE EXIT OF SAM’S WHOLESALE CLUB FROM KINGSPORT’S RETAIL LINEUP. COUNTY OFFICIALS WERE HOPEFUL THE LOSS WOULD BE OFFSET BY THE OPENINGS OF THE KINGSPORT PAVILION DEVELOPMENT ON STONE DRIVE AS WELL AS THE THE OPENING OF A SECOND LOWES AND THE CROWNE POINT FOOD CITY.