Describing downtown as the heart of the city the City of Kingsport has now joined the Downtown Loan Program, through the Northeast Tennessee Economic Development Corporation.Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull says the idea of the loans is to help small businesses grow and flourish. He adds “If the downtown is doing well, it’s been our experience that other parts of the city do well, too.”Local businesses can partner with the bank of their choice, and leverage funding through the program to enhance their businesses through equipment purchases, building renovations or building purchases.