Employment+and+Healthcare

Several old mills stand in Elizabethton. One with a high smoke stack and large, broken windowed building. Downtown there is an old chair factory. No factories like those exist today. Many small businesses such as clothing stores, insurance companies, car dealerships, car repair shops, furniture stores, and restaurants are found in the area. Healthcare and Education are also important sources of employment. The socioeconomic status of the area is middle class. Many lower middle class homes line the streets of town. These outnumber the upper middle class dwellings, and I saw few higher class homes.

Healthcare Facilities
Sycamore Shoals Hospital is on Highway 321 and is the main hospital system for the community. This hospital is a part of Mountain States Health Alliance and has 121 beds. On my drive through the the community, I also saw a First Assist Urgent Care Clinic and an AntiAbortion clinic. Carter County Health Department is in town also. Carter County Emergency Rescue serves the Elizabethton area. There are at least two fire departments in Elizabethton- one being near the gold course on Elk Avenue and one being downtown. Pharmacies include RiteAid, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart.

**Health and safety hazards** include the two substantial rivers which cross straight through town and which run beside two major playground areas. Children play in the water, so drowning would be a hazard. Health hazards include risk of obesity, which is high in Tennessee. I did not see any health food stores or restaurants but mostly fast food chains with long lines at the check-out counters.

The accessibility of hospital, public health center, and emergency departments are assets to health and safe for the area. Also the plentiful opportunities and accommodations for outdoor recreation are huge health assets.