H. Little

Taxes / Budget There has been too much waste and abuse of taxpayer money in Carter County. Chris Little is a penny pincher by heart and has spent 8 years attending over 90% of county commission meetings, watching how public money is spent. He will demand transparency by posting all bills and commission meeting packets online for public review. Every service contract will be put up for competitive bid, not quietly extended. He will work with the comptroller to ensure oversight of major expenditures and hold county government accountable to the people paying the bills. Economy Helping with new business startups is essential in building a permanent workforce. Reducing risk and overhead will ensure a successful business venture and provide opportunities for growth. Education Chris Little will work to reestablish a flight school at Elizabethton Municipal Airport. Local high schools at EHS, Westridge, Happy Valley, and Unicoi County already offer aviation classes, and a flight school would expand their capabilities. Aircraft mechanic students at Northeast State would also benefit from having a pilot's license to test fly repaired aircraft. A flight school would connect these existing programs to real careers and bring new activity to the airport. Education The world is changing rapidly. AI is expected to replace up to 40% of jobs by 2030. Chris Little will work with the school board to prepare students for the future, both understanding AI and training for AI-resistant careers like plumbing, electrical, masonry, carpentry, and HVAC. He will also push for stronger partnerships between local schools and employers so students graduate with real skills and real job prospects. Economy Chris Little will work to attract new businesses, prevent closings, and strengthen partnerships within the economic development community. He will work with our Federal Legislators to recruit defense industry jobs that are high-paying and recession-proof, leverage Carter County's recreation assets to attract companies that value an active lifestyle, and think outside the box on industrial recruitment. Components for military and defense products could easily be produced here and shipped to assembly plants. Carter County families deserve good-paying jobs close to home.