Debunked: Rural King, not Kingsport, is responsible for economic development tax

An official with the city of Kingsport is asking owners of the just-opened Rural King to give clarification to a 1 percent economic development tax charged to customers.

In a city statement, economic director Steven Bower said the fee at the farm supply store at the Fort Henry Mall is in no way connected to the city and learned from Rural King executives that the tax is to help the company recoup costs from constructing that location at the former JC Penney wing of the mall.

Discussion of the fee made the rounds on social media over the holiday weekend.

(Kaboompics)