ECU opens its first Elizabethton branch

By Robert Sorrell

Star Correspondent

Local business and government leaders celebrated the grand opening of the new Eastman Credit Union branch in Elizabethton on Thursday.

“Today is a very special day,” said ECU President and CEO Kelly Price, who described watching people walk into the new branch for the first time.

The new branch, the first in Carter County, features all of the conveniences one would expect in an ECU branch, plus “integrated new technology” and “reimagined” design, Price said.

Elizabethton’s branch, which has been operating on a soft opening for a few weeks, also offers curbside service for those unable to use the drive-thru or go inside. It also has safe deposit boxes, a night depository, and an ATM.

More than 9,300 people have so far signed up to join ECU since the branch in Elizabethton opened, Price said.

“We are so excited to have you here,” said Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joy McCray, who said she has asked Price for years to open a branch in Elizabethton.

The credit union has already made an impact on the community, McCray said, who said staff members have already been seen around Elizabethton.

Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander said he also regularly asked ECU officials to open a branch in Elizabethton.

“You have knocked it out of the park,” Alexander said.

Alexander thanked ECU officials for “what you’ve brought to our community.”

Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby said the new branch is “gorgeous.”

“What a fabulous investment for Carter County and Elizabethton,” Woodby said. “We want to thank you for choosing Carter County and Elizabethton to invest in.”

Construction on the new branch began back in April at the corner of West Elk Avenue and Williams Avenue. The corner property underwent a significant transportation to create a blank slate for the project, officials said.

Local contractors CainRashWest Architects and GRC Construction worked on the new branch.

The new branch will likely serve as a prototype for future builds, Price said.

ECU, which is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, serves Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and East Texas. It is one of the 50 largest credit unions in the nation with more than 320,000 members and employs about 1,000 people.

Price said the credit union will celebrate 90 years in operation in September.

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