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This should be an easy place to run a good business.

TCOE is Tri-Cities technology, operations, and professional firms working together, so the businesses here can modernize, secure, and grow without leaving the region to do it.

entries on the public record
12
standards, free to use
4
active member firms
12
collaborators on the way in
3

Projects

Paid or pro bono work for locally owned businesses and nonprofits, by at least two member firms. The client approves every entry and says what changed in their own words.

Sep 2027

Illustrative

Backup and recovery review

A 40-person manufacturer in Kingsport

Three systems lacked a working restore process. All three now restore, and the next test is on the calendar.

“We’d never actually tested a restore. Now we know it works, and we know who to call.”
Led by
Holston Ridge IT
With
Watauga Mutual Agency, which matched the recovery plan to the policy
Basis
Paid

Aug 2027

Illustrative

Month-end close cut from nine days to four

A family-owned distributor in Johnson City

Approvals moved out of email and into one shared log. The owner sees cash position every Monday.

“I used to find out how we did a month after it mattered.”
Led by
Steadfast Ledger Co.
With
Bays Mountain Operations, which mapped the approval process
Basis
Paid

May 2027

Illustrative

Volunteer and donor records moved off paper

A food pantry in Bristol

Intake that took 15 minutes a visit now takes three, and the board sees its numbers monthly.

“We got our Saturday mornings back.”
Led by
Fall Branch Software
With
Clinch Point Security, which set up access and backups
Basis
Pro bono

Mar 2027

Illustrative

Admin access cleaned up after an ownership change

A 25-person engineering firm in Kingsport

Eleven former employees still had access to client files. Every account now has an owner and two-factor sign-in.

Led by
Clinch Point Security
With
Northgate HR Partners, which wrote the offboarding checklist
Basis
Paid

Standards

Free guides written from local work: what to check, what good looks like, and how to get there. Two to four pages on one topic.

  • Who can move money: basic financial controlsSteadfast Ledger Co. with Bays Mountain Operations · 4 pagesJul 2027
  • Passwords, admin access, and two-factor basicsClinch Point Security with Doe River Compliance · 3 pagesMay 2027
  • Cyber insurance: what you’re actually covered forWatauga Mutual Agency with Doe River Compliance · 3 pagesMar 2027
  • Backups and recovery for a small organizationHolston Ridge IT with Watauga Mutual Agency · 4 pagesDec 2026
  • When one person holds all the knowledgeBays Mountain Operations with Holston Ridge ITIn progress
  • Before you hire a developerFall Branch Software with Riverbend LegalIn progress

Workshops

Taught under the Tech Center’s name, open to anyone, free or at an accessible rate. People leave able to do something.

Upcoming · 18 Nov 2027

Illustrative

Before you hire a developer

Kingsport Public Library · Open to anyone · Free

Bring a project idea. Leave with a one-page brief a developer can quote from.

Taught by
Fall Branch Software
With
Riverbend Legal
Basis
Free

Jun 2027

Illustrative

Writing down a critical process

22 people from 14 businesses, in Johnson City

Everyone left with one process written down and a second person able to run it.

Led by
Bays Mountain Operations
With
Northgate HR Partners
Basis
Free

Feb 2027

Illustrative

Phishing drills for front-desk staff

31 people from 9 medical and dental offices, in Bristol

Each office left with a reporting routine and a first drill scheduled.

Led by
Clinch Point Security
With
Ironworks Training Co.
Basis
Free

Products

Software and tools built here for local businesses. Each one counts once it’s available and in use locally.

Jun 2027

Illustrative

Shift handoff log for small plants

In use at four plants in Sullivan and Washington counties

Replaces the clipboard at shift change. Open items carry forward until someone closes them.

“Nothing falls between second and third shift anymore.”
Led by
Fall Branch Software
With
Holston Ridge IT, which supports it on site
Basis
Paid

Feb 2027

Illustrative

Vendor certificate tracker

In use at six contractors and two property managers

Flags vendor insurance certificates 30 days before they lapse, so nobody works uncovered.

Led by
Netherland Data Works
With
Watauga Mutual Agency
Basis
Paid

Treat clients, competitors, and neighbors the way you’d want to be treated.

The Code of Ethics every member firm lives up to. Work that doesn’t meet it doesn’t go on the record.

1

We cooperate, not compete.

We share work, publish what we know for free, and bring in expertise we don’t have, including competitors. There’s more work here than all of us can do.

2

We hire here, buy here, and stay here.

Money and graduates leave every year. We invest in the local community rather than outsource.

3

We stay accountable.

We follow the Tech Center’s standards and values. We own our client work and keep working until we make it right.

How firms join

Open to any locally owned technology, professional services, or business support firm. You get to know us through the work, and we get to know you the same way.

  1. 1Show interest.Come to a workshop, or tell us you’d like to collaborate.
  2. 2Work alongside members.Your firm is named on the contribution.
  3. 3Two contributions, two quarters.At least one is a project.
  4. 4Two members invite you.The people who worked with you. No application, no dues, no vote.

Membership stays active with any contribution in twelve months. A year without one, and the firm comes off the active list until it contributes again.

TCOE holds the standards and the record.

Member firms sign, insure, and invoice every job. Everything else belongs to them.

TCOE itself does not:

  • Sign with organizations, invoice anyone, or hold money.
  • Promise outcomes, or certify members.
  • Hold data, credentials, or systems access.
  • Send anyone who isn’t part of a member or collaborator firm.

A year from now, the record makes the argument.

Twelve entries will give a city official more reason to believe in this than a building or a list of names. Founding members are committing now, with a first contribution due 15 December 2026.

Get involved today