State Briefs

Tennessee has seen a 2.2% increase in college enrollment between the fall 2023 and fall 2022 semesters. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission announced 214,476 students have enrolled in community colleges and public universities across the state, an increase of 4,528 students over the previous...

More than $31 million in federal dollars will be coming to Tennessee for two railroad improvement projects. The Biden administration announced that the state will share in $1.4 billion of funding through the 2021 infrastructure law that will finance 70 rail improvement projects across 35 states. Of...

The parent company of the Food City grocery store chain has reached a $44.5 million settlement in an opioid case, according to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. 

K-VA-T Food Stores will pay the majority of the money to Tennessee’s Opioid Abatement fund to support local efforts...

Six Tennessee schools have been named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.  

Only 353 schools across the nation were recognized for this honor, which is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups...

Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson reported that August revenues were less than the budgeted estimates for the first month of the state’s fiscal year, as growth rates continue a return to normalcy.

August revenues were $1.5 billion, which is $39.4 million...

Tennessee’s statewide unemployment rate for August 2023 remained at the state’s all-time low rate of 3.1%, according to new data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD). The state reached its lowest unemployment rate in July, besting the previous record of 3.2%. The new...

Tennessee tourism generated $29 billion in direct visitor spending and saw 141 million visitors to the state in 2022, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell announced the news  at Hospitality...

Five cities are among the 37 entities awarded a share in $1.1 million in Federal Historic Preservation Fund grants from the Tennessee Historical Commission and State Historic Preservation Office.   

The Federal Historic Preservation Fund provides funds for non-profits, municipalities, universities...

A TVA grant will provide more access to Tennessee State Parks for visitors with disabilities. The $136,000 grant will finance all-terrain wheelchairs for Radnor Lake and Tims Ford State parks, an accessible kayak launch at David Crockett State Park, and transportation costs to help Title 1 school...

A new national wildlife refuge will soon cover 87 acres of land in Franklin County. The Paint Rock River National Wildlife Refuge near the Tennessee-Alabama border will preserve the land along the Southern Cumberland Plateau donated by the Niedergeses family. The property adjoins the Tennessee...

National parks in Tennessee have a $2.11 billion economic impact to the state, bringing in 10,407,084 visitors and creating 19,652 jobs in the state. A recent report from the National Park Service highlighted the economic impact park properties have to the states where they are located. Visitors to...

Tennessee experienced the highest number of business filings for a second quarter in the 25-year history of data, according to the new Quarterly Business and Economic Indicators report issued by Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office.

“Our state’s vibrant economy continues to set new records...