AGP Executive Report

Retail & Jobs: Academy Sports + Outdoors reported higher Q2 sales and earnings, with e-commerce up 12.8% and plans to open more stores in Tennessee. Local Infrastructure: Hamilton County says Hickory Ridge Road will stay closed through a bridge replacement, with construction expected to begin in 2027. Transit & Training: UTC is partnering with CARTA on self-driving shuttle work tied to a $25M U.S. DOT grant, creating a hands-on learning lab for students. Economic Development: Nashville’s IDB approved storefront grants and a registered apprenticeship program to help businesses upgrade facades and signage while hiring apprentices. Road Work: TDOT is closing SR-141 in parts of Trousdale County for about four weeks for slope repairs, and Putnam County crews keep moving on the SR-111 J-turn safety project. Energy & Industry: A new nuclear microreactor push is expanding across the U.S., with Tennessee mentioned among reactor development efforts. Business Shock: O’Charley’s is closing all Middle Tennessee locations with little warning, and state officials say no WARN notice was filed. Agriculture: UT field updates give Tennessee cotton farmers a mixed but promising outlook for the season. Manufacturing/Materials: NOVONIX says a lead-customer qualification sample of synthetic graphite anode material hit 12 of 14 specs, moving it closer to commercial production.

Autonomous Mobility in Nashville: Lyft and Waymo launched matching with Waymo’s fully autonomous vehicles inside the Lyft app in Nashville, expanding rider options beyond the Waymo app. Food Safety: FDA expanded an E. coli berry recall to include Great Value frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in 16 states, including Tennessee. Retail & Supply Chain: Castle Retail Group named Ryan Harte VP/Director of Perishables to lead fresh food strategy across meat, produce and dairy in the Mid-South. Local Business/Investing: Holley Performance Brands will send senior management to investor conferences in Nashville and elsewhere, signaling continued aftermarket investment focus. School Meals Under Pressure: SNAP cuts could ripple into school breakfast and lunch programs, risking eligibility tied to SNAP participation. Energy & Nuclear Policy: Tennessee lawmakers push nuclear-forward economic development, while rural concerns grow over long-term nuclear material storage. Solar Manufacturing: Create Energy secured a new U.S. patent for its QuickGrip solar mounting rail, aiming to speed tracker installations. Public Works/Procurement: Spring Hill seeks bids for water treatment clarifier and filter equipment; multiple local public notices continue across counties.

EV & Charging Policy: Tennessee’s TDEC launched a Multifamily Housing Rebate Program for Level 2 EV charging, with $650,000 available via the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement EMT—up to 10 plugs per site and higher caps for qualifying low-income or burdened areas. Logistics Costs: Diesel hit record highs in Tennessee (state average about $5.64/gal), raising shipping costs and likely pushing fuel surcharges higher for trucking and freight. Manufacturing Expansion: US Smokeless Tobacco broke ground on a facility expansion in Hopkinsville, adding 200 jobs—another sign of ongoing investment in the region’s processing industry. Local Infrastructure: TDOT closed the Collierville-Arlington bridge over the Wolf River for repairs, with reopening targeted for October 2027 and the broader project completion expected in spring 2028. Workforce Training: North Central Institute in Clarksville highlighted its aviation maintenance pipeline, including a fast-track FAA A&P path aimed at easing a technician shortage. Food Access Research: A new State of School Lunch Report ranks Vermont No. 1 for school meal reach and participation, with Tennessee readers watching how states expand access and locally sourced options.

Data Centers & Local Impact: Gallatin’s Meta hyperscale campus is now the city’s biggest taxpayer, but residents are pushing back over utilities, environment, and property values as the debate over growth vs. quality of life heats up. Air Travel & Business Travel: Southwest Airlines has started building its first-ever premium airport lounges, with Nashville among the initial locations, signaling a new revenue push beyond budget flyers. STEM & Workforce Pipeline: ORAU is funding hands-on STEM classroom grants across East Tennessee counties, from robotics and engineering kits to industrial-grade 3D printers—aimed at boosting real-world skills for students. Nuclear & Energy Innovation: Tennessee is tied to a broader fusion push as the state issues nation’s first commercial nuclear fusion license, adding momentum to the next wave of grid-ready clean power. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock cameras are driving friction across Tennessee governments and residents over privacy as some contracts end and the policy fight continues. Healthcare & Imaging: RadNet’s Nashville-area conference appearance highlights ongoing demand for diagnostic imaging services and related tech. Local Culture & Community: A Dolly-inspired 9to5K on Music Row drew a sold-out crowd for United Way and Imagination Library, showing how Tennessee brands keep turning entertainment into local impact.

Drug Enforcement: Indiana State Police arrested a truck driver hauling about 277 pounds of cocaine worth roughly $3.8M after a stop on I-70; the driver said the load was tied to an empty trailer route from Memphis to Indianapolis. Workforce & Defense Manufacturing: Kilgore Flares Co. filed a WARN notice for a permanent reduction in force of 127 workers at its Toone facility, with layoffs set for Oct. 31. Public Health & Rural Economy: The FDA opened a public docket on speeding botanical drug development as Appalachian wild ginseng season ramps up under federal trade controls. Healthcare Infrastructure: DeKalb County held a ribbon-cutting for a new 9,860-square-foot Health Department building with expanded clinic capacity and services. Local Tech for Safety: Chattanooga-based 3rd Eye released an AI-driven safety camera for commercial drivers, aiming to coach risky behavior in real time. Roads & Construction: TDOT announced a traffic shift in Union County on Maynardville Highway for box culvert work, with delays expected during the day. Sports & Community Giving: Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter will donate $427 per tackle to cancer research as he turns a prior NCAA suspension into a season-long charity push.

Energy & Industry: A proposed $11.3B “Project River” energy campus in Cleveland, Tennessee drew a silent, sign-carrying protest from dozens of residents worried about environmental impacts and effects on the Hiwassee River. Local Governance & Data Centers: Nashville Zoo is fighting a proposed 69,000 sq ft data center next to the park after a Change.org petition neared 600,000 signatures, with concerns about noise and light affecting animals; city officials have moved toward restrictions and possible property steps. Manufacturing & Power: Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI is reportedly planning a Doosan combined-cycle power plant to supply high-capacity electricity for Memphis-area AI infrastructure, signaling more heavy construction and utility coordination. Workforce & Policy: Oxfam ranked Georgia near the bottom for worker protections, citing low minimum wages and weak right-to-organize rules—an indirect pressure point for the broader Southeast labor debate. Sports & Community: TSWA released Week 4 Tennessee high school football rankings, led by South Pittsburg in Class 1A and Huntingdon in Class 2A.

Fusion Energy: Tennessee issued the nation’s first license for a commercial nuclear fusion “stellarator” machine to Type One Energy, with a prototype planned near Knoxville and a target to bring a fusion plant online by 2034. Local Industry & Jobs: Hyundai’s U.S. steel expansion and supplier hiring progress are in focus as incentives and job timelines face uneven follow-through, with a Georgia analysis pointing to lagging supplier sites even as the metaplant ramps. Tourism & Culture: Chattanooga’s Tivoli Theatre is set to reopen after a $75 million restoration and expansion, funded largely by private and philanthropic capital, adding a revitalized performing arts complex to the city’s visitor economy. Nashville Sports Business: The Titans kicked off a season-long farewell to Nissan Stadium as a new home rises on Nashville’s skyline, with new “Rivalries” uniforms and special fan-facing food and retail plans. Consumer Safety: Tennessee cities including Memphis and Nashville logged the most BBB Scam Tracker reports in July, underscoring ongoing fraud losses nationwide.

Semiconductor Supply Chain: Wacker’s Charleston, Tennessee polysilicon plant (about 600 jobs) is reportedly at risk of closure after Trump trade measures allegedly pushed away its last two customers, raising fears that “protecting” chip inputs could still mean lost production and layoffs. Housing & Local Economy: New data shows home listing prices per square foot fell in 36 of 50 big U.S. metros for a 10th straight month, with Memphis among the sharpest decliners (-4.1% year over year), pointing to a cooling market hitting sellers. Energy & Industry: Tennessee’s nuclear push keeps moving—TN approved a new kind of nuclear power and a separate report highlights the state’s first commercial nuclear fusion license, underscoring how advanced energy is becoming an economic strategy. Workforce & Affordability: A new op-ed argues the federal minimum wage’s $7.25 floor has stayed frozen since 2009 while costs rose, calling for wage hikes as a direct affordability lever. Local Business Growth: Greenville’s downtown retail push adds HYLO Fitness as a first tenant in a renovated shopping center, signaling continued investment in Tennessee main-street redevelopment.

Tennessee Tourism: Hamilton County logged nearly $1.9B in visitor spending in 2025, up 4% year over year, with Chattanooga Tourism Co. pointing to continued post-pandemic travel momentum and major upcoming events. Housing Market: Realtor.com says home prices are easing in big metros; Memphis saw a 4.1% year-over-year drop in listing price per square foot as markets cool after earlier spikes. AI & Surveillance Policy: A former Pentagon AI policy director warned that expanding automated license-plate camera systems could drift toward a “surveillance state” without guardrails and court oversight. Tech Restructuring: Searches for layoffs at TikTok, Apple, AT&T and Zoox highlight ongoing U.S. tech reshuffling; TikTok is closing its Nashville office and cutting about 250 roles. Energy & Industry: Tennessee’s nuclear push continues with TVA board budget approval and broader attention on new nuclear and energy storage developments. Local Community & Infrastructure: A Memphis storm exposed infrastructure gaps, while residents organized relief as power restoration lagged.

Tennessee Energy & Industry: Tennessee’s first commercial nuclear fusion license cleared the way for Type One Energy’s Clinton/Bull Run project, while the broader U.S. push to protect chip supply chains is hitting a snag as Wacker’s Tennessee polysilicon plant faces closure risk after trade measures reportedly chased off key customers. AI & Global Tech: Japan says the next round of its $550B U.S. investment pact will put major weight on AI and semiconductors, following earlier tranches that focused on energy, minerals, and nuclear. Local Infrastructure: TDOT scheduled utility and construction work across Montgomery County and nearby areas starting Sept. 8, with lane and ramp impacts for drivers. Agriculture & Food Systems: Tennessee’s Division of Forestry opened its East Tennessee Nursery for tree seedling orders, and ARCD is hosting “All About Seeds Day” in Johnson City to boost seed economics and seed saving. Trade & Consumer Impact: The “Temu beef” debate grows as Trump’s plan to temporarily lower tariffs on imported ground beef raises safety and standards questions. Community & Resilience: After a Memphis storm left tens of thousands without power, local organizers coordinated relief and neighbor check-ins to keep people safe.

Energy & AI Power Demand: TVA says its electricity demand hit a new 2026 record during the latest heat wave, but it’s not expecting shortages as nuclear/coal provide the base and natural gas handles peaks. Data Centers & Utilities: Entergy and Alphabet are trading numbers over how much power infrastructure Google’s West Memphis data center will cost, underscoring how AI compute is becoming a long-term power-contract story. Manufacturing & Trade Policy: Wacker denies plans to close its Charleston, Tenn. polysilicon plant after Reuters reported Trump trade measures pushed away its last two customers; the facility employs about 650. Public Works & Transportation: TDOT suspended lane closures for Labor Day travel, while Tennessee drivers still face speeding fines in active work zones. Local Economy: West Tennessee tourism brought in $482.7M in 2025, supporting 3,800 local jobs and nearly $20M in local taxes. Food Safety: An E. coli blueberry recall expanded to frozen mixed berry packages sold at Walmart in 16 states, with 17 illnesses reported. Community & Industry Talent: Sam Dong expands Rogersville, Tenn. production operations, adding manufacturing momentum.

Manufacturing & Automation: Nissan’s Smyrna plant is rolling out AI-powered mobile robots, but early software integration sent two bots to the same spot, creating a “traffic jam” before fixes got the system back on track. Energy & Industry Policy: A Tennessee semiconductor supply-chain risk is emerging as Wacker Chemie weighs whether to close its Charleston, Tenn., polysilicon site after Trump trade measures reportedly pushed away its remaining customers. Agriculture & Prices: Trump’s tariff-free ground beef import plan has Tennessee cattle groups calling it a short-term fix that could undercut rebuilding the U.S. herd. Consumer Goods: Brown-Forman, parent of Jack Daniel’s, reported a 1% drop in first-quarter sales as Americans drink less, with tequila and whiskey demand pressured while RTD growth helped offset some declines. Infrastructure: The I-40 Pigeon River Gorge rebuild cost is now estimated at $2.8B, with full reopening delayed to late 2029; TDOT says Tennessee’s portion isn’t expected to change. Local Business & Services: Baker Donelson opened a permanent Woodbridge, N.J., office—an expansion move for its healthcare and real estate teams. Public Health: DeKalb County held a ribbon cutting for a new Health Department facility built with ARP funds, adding more clinic capacity and services. Tech & Resilience: A near-simultaneous AI outage across OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI is pushing enterprises to treat AI availability like a resilience issue, not a convenience.

Public Safety: Bristol police say a citizen tip led to the arrest of Joshua Allen Branham and the seizure of 303 grams of meth, marijuana, paraphernalia and $8,348 in cash. Agriculture & Food Costs: Tennessee State’s Small Farm Expo highlighted how rising input costs squeeze farmers and flow into higher grocery prices, while Memphis reporting points to beef price pressure tied to drought, fuel costs and tariffs. Local Infrastructure: MTSU announced a $16 million west-side Floyd Stadium renovation adding 2,200 chairback seats and expanding ADA access for the 2027 season. Energy & Industry: Tennessee’s first commercial fusion license was issued to Type One Energy, and separate coverage notes data-center growth and its power-cost debate. Environment & Forestry: The state’s Division of Forestry East Tennessee Nursery opened for tree seedling orders, supporting streambank restoration with native species. Business/Policy: Tipton County set a public hearing on zoning changes for data storage centers or “cryptocurrency mining” operations.

Data Centers & Courts: Nashville’s DC BLOX and other Tennessee-adjacent fights are moving from city halls to courtrooms as communities push moratoriums and developers sue over zoning, environment, and transparency. Local Governance: Tennessee tiny-home buyers are suing a developer over “zombie HOAs,” alleging developer control should have ended and cost residents money. Aviation & Travel: Southwest says its first airport lounge network will launch in late 2027, with Nashville among the initial sites. Business & Health Costs: A new survey warns U.S. employers could see health care costs jump about 11%—a major hit for budgets. Manufacturing & Jobs: Sam Dong will expand in Rogersville, adding 22 jobs and investing $13.5M to boost production capacity. Energy & Industry: Brown-Forman reports Q1 sales down 1% as tequila softens, while ready-to-drink growth and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry help offset pressure. Tech & Privacy: Thomson Reuters says a breach exposed court-related files across multiple jurisdictions, including Tennessee.

Energy & Retail Expansion: Shell will buy the remaining stake in Tri Star Energy, moving Equilon Enterprises to 100% ownership and adding about 320 fuel-and-convenience retail sites in Tennessee and nearby states, with the deal expected to close by end of 2026. Aviation & Travel Business: Southwest is rolling out its first-ever airport lounge network, with Nashville International among the initial four locations; lounges are under construction and expected to open in late 2027. Healthcare Tech: Heartvue.ai and Innolitics won FDA 510(k) clearance for Heartvue.Proton, an AI-powered cardiac MRI analysis platform aimed at speeding up quantitative readings in hospital workflows. Public Safety & Local Governance: Rutherford County’s proposed new jail and Sheriff’s Office campus faces pushback from property owners opposing eminent domain, citing a prior $38M contract and sewer-capacity concerns. Infrastructure: TDOT and partners signed a federal grant to replace Chattanooga’s 68-year-old Wilcox Boulevard Bridge, with construction targeted for early 2027. Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Mosheim tied for 40th in Tennessee for scam reports in July, with two reports logged. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest diesel in Trousdale County at $5.29/g and in Smith County at $5.39/g for the week ending Aug. 22.

Metro Nashville Development: Metro Council approved Vanderbilt’s 40-acre innovation district on the West End, replacing parking lots and retail and aiming for more green space, housing and walkability, with added guardrails like bird-safe glass and construction traffic limits. Roads & Construction: TDOT says SR-116 (New River Highway) is down to one lane due to slide-area work, with normal traffic expected by Sept. 30. Data Center Policy: Nash County is holding a public hearing on a potential countywide data-center moratorium, following Nashville’s 12-month pause tied to power, water and land-use concerns. Workforce Training: Dyersburg State Community College will offer a short-term, non-credit Supervisory Management Certificate this fall for managers and aspiring leaders across industries. Energy & Infrastructure: Redstone Arsenal is moving forward with airfield upgrades including runway overruns and a microgrid for resilient power. Business & Finance: UBS downgraded Ferrovial over risk tied to Tennessee’s I-24 toll lane bid, citing lower expected equity returns. Local Economy: Insight Molecular Diagnostics (iMDx) will attend Lake Street’s BIG10 growth conference in New York. Food & Retail: Taco Cabana turns 48 with new “Dragonada” and returning menu items.