Kingsport Approves Donations and Grants for City Services

Funds will support fire department, transit, and employee training

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen has approved several resolutions accepting donations and grants to support various city services. The donations include $200 each from Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union and Cardinal FG Company to buy food for firefighters, a $500 donation from Shades of Grace United Methodist Church for multi-use rescue tools, and a $1,000 donation from Grace Point Fellowship Church to provide free transportation during 'Love Your City Week'. The board also approved applying for an Incumbent Worker Training grant to reimburse the city for fire personnel certifications.

Why it matters

These donations and grants demonstrate the strong public-private partnerships in Kingsport, where local businesses and faith-based organizations are supporting critical city services like the fire department and public transit. The funding will help improve community outreach, equipment, and employee training to better serve Kingsport residents.

The details

The donations include $200 each from Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union and Cardinal FG Company to buy food for firefighters at Fire Station 3, which won a Christmas lighting contest. Shades of Grace United Methodist Church donated $500 for multi-use rescue tools to aid the Fire Marshal's division. Grace Point Fellowship Church donated $1,000 to provide free transportation for 'Love Your City Week'. The board also approved applying for a grant to reimburse training costs for fire personnel certifications.

  • The donations were accepted during the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on February 4, 2026.
  • Grace Point Fellowship Church's 'Love Your City Week' is set to take place from February 16-20, 2026.

The players

Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union

A local credit union that donated $200 to buy food for firefighters at Fire Station 3.

Cardinal FG Company

A local business that donated $200 to buy food for firefighters at Fire Station 3.

Shades of Grace United Methodist Church

A local church that donated $500 for multi-use rescue tools for the Fire Marshal's division.

Grace Point Fellowship Church

A local church that donated $1,000 to provide free transportation during 'Love Your City Week'.

Chris McCartt

Kingsport City Manager, who thanked the organizations for their support.

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What they’re saying

“I want to say, on behalf of the city, thank you to these organizations for your donations. Thank you for the very unique public-private partnerships that we have, including the partnerships we have with our faith-based community.”

— Chris McCartt, Kingsport City Manager (timesnews.net)

“The reason why we're donating the funds for CATS is because we believe that mobilizing people and getting them to their jobs and to the store and wherever they need to go is a big part in helping them out and being a blessing to them. So we appreciate the opportunity for us to give towards that, and we look forward to partnering with you all.”

— Paul Warrick, Lead Pastor, Grace Point Fellowship Church (timesnews.net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These donations and grants demonstrate the strong public-private partnerships in Kingsport, where local businesses and faith-based organizations are supporting critical city services like the fire department and public transit. The funding will help improve community outreach, equipment, and employee training to better serve Kingsport residents.