Elisa Comer, Tennessee Small Business Person of the Year for 2005, typifies the theme of this year's Economic Summit, "Partnering for Economic Progress," which will be held Thursday at the Centre at Millennium Park.

"We started this company with a $12,000 retirement policy and a passion for patient care and stay-at-home moms," said Comer, founder and CEO of Eagle's Landing Transcription Service based in Johnson City.

"People here put small business first. They don't just give lip service" like she found in some other communities, she said.