A CONSTRUCTION BOOM IN THE TRI CITIES. KINGSPORT OFFICIALS SAY THAT NEW CONSTRUCTION INVESTMENT TOTALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 IS NOW UP TO OVER 123 MILLION DOLLARS. THE PREVIOUS MARK OF 101 MILLION DOLLARS WAS SET IN FISCAL YEAR 2001-2002. SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING POSTED AN INCREASE FOR THE FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR, WITH 132 NEW HOMES CONSTRUCTED AT A TOTAL VALUE OF 20.9 MILLION DOLLARS. IN ADDITION TO NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION, ANOTHER 22.1 MILLION DOLLARS IN BUILDING PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL ALTERATIONS. CITY MANAGER JOHN CAMPBELL SAID THE 2007 FIGURES DON’T TRULY RELECT THE WHOLE PICTURE. THERE’S ONGOING WORK AT THE NEW KINGSPORT PAVILION, NEW LOWE’S, AND OTHER COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON NORTH EASTMAN ROAD. PLUS, THE LEADING EDGE OF THE 1.3 BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT REINVEST AT EASTMAN CHEMICAL BEGAN LATE IN THE FISCAL YEAR.