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Tennessee Guide 2026

Features

STATISTICAL PROFILE

More than just walking in Memphis, companies are building new industry and opening doorways to new technology in West Tennessee. Also, four West Tennessee communities are seeing state investment into downtown improvement projects.

WEST TENNESSEE: This Side of Tennessee Knows No Bounds

More than just walking in Memphis, companies are building new industry and opening doorways to new technology in West Tennessee. Also, four West Tennessee communities are seeing state investment into downtown improvement projects.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE: The Core of Tennessee Capabilities

The 33 counties that make up the Middle Tennessee region are foundational to much of the state’s industry success, handling ever growing manufacturing and corporate operations for top companies such as Frito Lay, LG Electronics, Nissan, Oracle and more.

GRANTS, INCENTIVES & FUNDING: IRIS Focuses On Growing Industry-Led Partnerships

Supported by TNECD, the Innovation & Research for Industry Success (IRIS) grant program cultivates new, industry-led R&D partnerships between Tennessee companies and the state’s top research institutes. IRIS is designed to lower barriers to innovation and assist in piloting emerging technologies and accelerating discoveries within Tennessee.

QUALITY OF LIFE: Live, Work, Play the Tennessee Way

Besides opportunity, new residents find an ideal quality of life that values balance. Many factors go into sustaining steady population growth, but chief among them are affordability and quality communities.

HOSPITALITY & TOURISM: Take a While in Tennessee

In 2024, a record-breaking 146.7 million tourists visited Tennessee, generating a $31 billion economic impact across all 95 counties. Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell shares how incoming developments provide new ways to interact with Tennessee’s culture and what is yet to come.

HIGHER EDUCATION: TENNESSEE: THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE

Home to 11 public universities and special purpose institutes, 34 independent colleges and universities, 13 community colleges and 22 TCAT schools, Tennessee takes a back seat to no one in training and equipping the next generation of talented workers.

HEALTHCARE & LIFE SCIENCES: Vital Volunteer State Industry Sparks Innovation

Tennessee has seen $855 million in capital investment and over 6,000 new job commitments since 2019 in the medical field. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center serve as magnets for innovative healthcare solutions.

NUCLEAR POWER: A NEW ATOMIC AGE

What is the connection between policy and performance? Deputy Governor and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter explains how his department is organized to lead Tennessee to new heights for many years to come.

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