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State Briefs

Tennessee

Tennessee hits record $27.5B in travel spending

The state of Tennessee set a record $27.5 billion in travel spending in 2022, according to preliminary data from U.S. Travel and Tourism Economics.

Among the top 25 states, Tennessee is the fastest-growing state in travel spending since 2018 and has risen from 14th to 11th in the nation for travel...

Tennessee ranks third best state for business

The state of Tennessee is ranked third best state for business in the nation, according to Chief Executive’s annual CEO survey. Manufacturing, tech, and the electric vehicle industry are the top sectors for the state. Tennessee earned its ranking for its low unemployment rate and its low corporate...

Flood insurance

Tennessee agencies raise awareness about flood preparedness

National meteorologists are forecasting above average rainfall across a large portion of the U.S. this spring including most of the Mississippi and Cumberland river basins, which could include significant portions of Tennessee.

In an effort to help Tennessee homeowners prepare for potential flood...

ARPA FUnds

More than 80 municipalities to share in $232.7M in ARP funds

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced more than $232.7 million in state ARP funds divided among 102 projects with more than 80 municipalities receiving grants or benefiting from grant projects.  

Of the 102 total projects, 17 were collaborative grants and 85...

3.4% unemployment

Tennessee unemployment down slightly in March

Tennessee’s unemployment rate slightly decreased to 3.4% in March after holding steady at 3.5% for five months. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) said the decrease put the seasonally adjusted rate for March just 0.2 of a percentage point away from Tennessee’s all-time low...

Johnson City trees

Community Tree Planting Program applications now open for municipalities

Communities can optimize the benefits of trees with funding from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry. Applications are now available for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) Community Tree Planting Program to increase and improve urban tree populations.

“...

Neyland Stadium

Wireless upgrade project beginning at Neyland Stadium

The University of Tennessee has partnered with M.S. Benbow and Associates Neyland Stadium to improve wi-fi service at Neyland Stadium. The project will extend through 2024 with service in the stadium gradually improving throughout the 2023-24 season with wi-fi being extended by sections in the...

State March revenues $161.2M above estimates

Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson announced that Tennessee tax revenues exceeded budgeted estimates in March.  

Overall March revenues totaled $1.6 billion, which is $65.8 million, or 4.26% more than the state received in March of 2022 and $174.5 million more than the...

Seniorly facts

Tennessee ranked tenth best state for retirees

Tennessee is in the top ten most affordable states for retirees, according to national data gathered and analyzed by senior living website Seniorly. Tennessee ranked tenth on the list, behind Wyoming, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Delaware, and West Virginia. Rankings were...

Urban Trees

Tennessee to receive more than $4M in federal grants to expand tree, green space access

The state of Tennessee will receive $4,125,000 from a pot of $1 billion in federal grants being awarded to states and territories to  to increase equitable access to trees and green spaces in urban and community forests where more than 84% of Americans live, work and play. The grant funding is...

Athens water

Tennessee to receive nearly $11 million in federal funds for clean water projects

The state of Tennessee will receive more than $10.89 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) appropriations, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Tennessee will receive more than $10,897,000 to help communities upgrade essential wastewater and stormwater systems...

Jonesborough

Tennessee Historical Commission announces project mapping historic cemeteries

A new project is helping map historic cemeteries throughout Tennessee. The Tennessee Historic Cemetery Preservation Program has created a map in ArcGIS format of the state’s historic cemeteries available to the public. The Tennessee Historical Commission defines historic cemeteries as those 50 years...