Tennessee

Our Work In Tennessee

In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, ARC supported 61 projects in Tennessee totaling $27.2 million in fiscal year 2023. These investments have been matched by $36.7 million and are attracting an additional $748.5 million in leveraged private investments in Tennessee. They are also creating or retaining 1,320 jobs, educating 4,000 students and workers, and benefiting the 2.9 million residents in Tennessee’s 52 Appalachian counties.

State Partners

Governor:
Honorable Bill Lee

Governor’s ARC Representative:
Brooxie Carlton, Deputy Assistant Commissioner
email: Brooxie.Carlton@tn.gov

Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 27th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

ARC State Program Manager:
Jill White, Program Manager
email: Jill.White@tn.gov
Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 27th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243
615-981-7884

Investment Priorities

In Fiscal Year 2023, ARC and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development partnered on the following investments and projects.

Community Infrastructure
$16.2M
invested in Tennessee to ensure access to reliable and affordable broadband, clean water and updated wastewater systems, highways, and more
Workforce Ecosystem
$4.1M
invested in Tennessee to expand community systems that will help Appalachians obtain a job, stay on the job, and advance their careers
Regional Culture & Tourism
$2.8M
invested in preserving Tennessee’s local history, culture, and natural assets
Additional Priorities
$4.1M
invested to grow the capacity of local leaders, organizations, and communities to address challenges and in entrepreneurship and business development to strengthen the economy in Tennessee

Investment Snapshot

Fiscal Year 2023

State Profile

Learn more about ARC’s fiscal year 2023 investments in Tennessee.

 

Investments in Action

Biz Foundry Supports Entrepreneurial Business in Tennessee

With ARC support, LaunchTN established The Biz Foundry in Cookeville, Co.Lab in Chattanooga and the Knoxville Entrepreneurship Center to help hundreds of regional entrepreneurs develop business plans, raise capital, and create jobs.
Two men and one woman gather in lobby of office building
Man in blue polo works on computer

State Plans and Strategies

ARC’s current strategic plan is a blueprint for investments at the Regional level. Each of Appalachia’s 13 states develops a companion four-year plan and annual strategy statement outlining its funding priorities for ARC projects.

Fiscal Year 2025

County Economic Status

Every year, ARC applies an index-based classification system to compare each county in the Region with national averages to understand how counties are performing.


Counties in Appalachia

(52 out of 95 counties): Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Cannon, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Coffee, Cumberland, De Kalb, Fentress, Franklin, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Lewis, Loudon, McMinn, Macon, Marion, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Smith, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and White


Local Development Districts

East Tennessee Development District
First Tennessee Development District
South Central Tennessee Development District
Southeast Tennessee Development District
Upper Cumberland Development District


State Links