Kingsport Eyes Dental Clinic, Fort Henry Mall Projects
City leaders outlined expansion plans for a dental training facility and new entertainment space at Fort Henry Mall during the State of the City address.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery and City Manager Chris McCartt presented the city's accomplishments and priorities at the State of the City address. Officials highlighted a multimillion-dollar expansion of the Kingsport Dental Clinic of The Appalachian Highlands and efforts to bring new businesses to Fort Henry Mall.
Why it matters
The projects are intended to strengthen dental training capacity and expand entertainment options in Kingsport. City leaders are working to attract new businesses to the Fort Henry Mall site, which the city does not own.
Tiebreakers plans to open a 50,000-square-foot entertainment space at Fort Henry Mall in summer 2027. Once complete, the Kingsport Dental Clinic will rank as the second largest dental training facility in the state, though the total project cost has not been disclosed.
The players
Paul Montgomery
Paul Montgomery is the Mayor of Kingsport, Tennessee, who presented the city's accomplishments and priorities at the State of the City address.
Chris McCartt
Chris McCartt is the City Manager of Kingsport, Tennessee, who joined the mayor in presenting the city's priorities at the State of the City address.
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public research university system that is partnering with the city on the Kingsport Dental Clinic expansion.
The details
The Kingsport Dental Clinic expansion is a partnership with the University of Tennessee, and phase two construction is expected to begin in early 2027, adding operating rooms and additional student space. Separately, the city purchased the State Theatre downtown, and Hosiery Mill renovations are scheduled to wrap up in late 2027.
Timeline
Early 2027: Phase two construction of the dental clinic expansion is expected to begin.
Summer 2027: Tiebreakers is expected to open its 50,000-square-foot entertainment space at Fort Henry Mall.
Late 2027: Hosiery Mill renovations are expected to wrap up.
Openings & Closings Context
The Kingsport Dental Clinic of The Appalachian Highlands is extending its existing training role through a partnership with the University of Tennessee. The planned expansion would make it the second largest dental training facility in Tennessee once complete.
Residents may eventually see new entertainment options at Fort Henry Mall and expanded dental training services in Kingsport. The timelines extend into 2027, so no immediate changes to shopping or dental care are announced.
The takeaway
Kingsport's near-term development is tied to the dental clinic's phase two construction and the Tiebreakers project, both slated for 2027. Readers interested in these projects should watch for official city updates as timelines are confirmed.
What happens next
Dental clinic phase two construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with Tiebreakers' entertainment space expected to open in summer 2027.
Further reading
Track more new and closing business announcements in Openings & Closings across Kingsport.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCYB.
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