AGP Executive Report

Nuclear Power Push: TVA cleared a major regulatory hurdle for its Oak Ridge small modular reactor plan, with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission saying the design is safe and feasible—keeping East Tennessee in the race for next-gen nuclear. Workforce Training: Tennessee launched the federal Workforce Pell program, expanding Pell eligibility for short-term training tied to in-demand, high-wage careers, starting July 1. Heat & Safety: A dangerous July Fourth heat wave is driving emergency actions and raising alarms for workers in plants, warehouses, and delivery routes, where cooling and protections are often lacking. Local Education & Skills: Greeneville City Schools won a Perkins Reserve Grant to expand middle-school career and technical education, aiming to connect classroom learning to real jobs. Manufacturing & Fabrication: Keytronic is expanding in Corinth, while fabrication support across Texas and western Tennessee continues to grow through expanded coverage by industrial equipment providers. Food Policy Fight: Arkansas SNAP waiver begins July 1, restricting purchases of sugary drinks and candy, as the policy faces legal challenges.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Smurfit Westrock plans to permanently close its Lebanon, Tennessee folding carton plant Aug. 14, affecting 52 workers, adding to a broader wave of packaging shutdowns. Workforce & Education: Tennessee awarded $2.6M in Perkins Reserve Grant funds to 58 districts for CTE, including Putnam County receiving $50K. Energy & Grid: A heat dome is pushing the power grid toward record demand; federal emergency steps allow Ohio’s grid operator to ask large users like data centers to switch to backup power if needed. Infrastructure: Crews hit a major milestone at the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project, placing the first massive upstream approach wall concrete beam. Local Business: Southern Stitch & Print held a grand opening in College Grove, expanding custom embroidery and screen printing. Immigration Law: A federal court upheld a Tennessee law making illegal presence in the state a state crime, clearing the way for enforcement. Food & Supply Chain: Caito Foods recalled fresh-cut melon products over possible salmonella contamination, distributed across multiple retailers. Community & Weather: Carter County kicked off Pray4TN, while Tennessee braces for dangerous heat over the July 4 weekend.

Tennessee Workforce & Education: Tennessee launched the federal Workforce Pell program, expanding Pell eligibility for certain short-term training tied to in-demand, high-wage careers, with a new application portal for eligible institutions. Manufacturing & Hiring: USAntibiotics in Bristol is hosting a July 8 career fair to fill skilled roles tied to amoxicillin production, aiming to strengthen the pharma supply chain. Logistics & Trade: CMA CGM says it will buy FedEx Supply Chain for $1.4B, a move meant to expand contract logistics in North America and build out CEVA Logistics. Local Planning & Growth: Franklin officials reviewed zoning changes that could reshape where data centers operate and what’s allowed in the First Avenue District, while also weighing a major sports complex proposal, The Banks at Brownland. Business & Community: Wayfair’s NextGen Supply Chain Conference keynote adds a Wayfair logistics exec, and Blount County Schools and Alcoa City Schools each received Perkins Reserve grants for CTE programs.

USDA Poultry Watch: Broiler-type egg sets and placements are running about 2% ahead of last year, with the 2026 hatchery pace still beating 2025 as USDA updates its annual production outlook July 10. Nashville Hemp Compliance: Metro’s Beer Permit Board is reminding businesses that Tennessee’s new hemp-derived cannabinoid rules took effect Jan. 1, 2026, bringing new licensing, testing, labeling, and age limits under TABC oversight. Metro Jobs Push: Metro Nashville is hosting a career fair July 23 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) at the Farmers Market, with openings across IT, public safety, healthcare, transit, water services, and more. Construction & Travel: TDOT will pause most lane closures for the July 4 holiday (no construction-related closures noon July 2 to 6 a.m. July 6), though long-term work zones and speed limits remain. Extreme Weather: The Tennessee Valley faces strong storm chances and dangerous heat, with heat index values forecast up to 108 around Independence Day. Logistics Security: A new report warns cargo theft risk spikes around July 4, with thieves targeting high-value metals and electronics when staffing and verification drop. Local Infrastructure Planning: Smithville won a $250,000 TDEC grant for water/sewer rate study and GIS mapping to support future upgrades. Entertainment & Casting: Memphis casting listings include feature films, a game show, and reality TV, signaling steady production activity in the city.

Apparel & NIL: The University of Tennessee is switching official sportswear from Nike to Adidas starting July 1, with UT’s team testing prototype uniforms in Neyland Stadium to lock in the exact Vols orange (Pantone 151C) before a July 6–9 social-media unveil. Data Centers & Power: Environmental groups are challenging a Georgia data-center “pop-up” power plant concept that would run natural-gas generators around the clock, arguing it breaks air-pollution rules. Workforce & Engineering Education: IMEG awarded scholarships to 30 engineering students across 20 states, highlighting continued demand for engineering talent. Local Infrastructure & Water: A Shelby County commissioner is pushing for a comprehensive engineering assessment after a water leak shut down the Walter L. Bailey Criminal Justice Center, arguing repeated failures point to deeper systemic issues. Skilled Trades Pipeline: Amteck celebrated a large REAP program graduation in Dyersburg, sending 28 students into electrical contractor job sites. Healthcare Expansion: Ascension Saint Thomas broke ground on a $148.5M Clarksville hospital campus expected to create about 250 jobs. Regulation Impact (Hemp): New Tennessee hemp rules taking effect July 1 are already forcing some businesses to close or relocate, with enforcement shifting to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Road Travel: TDOT will suspend most lane closures during the July 4 holiday travel window to keep traffic moving.

Tennessee Economic Development: Gov. Bill Lee and TNECD announced $13M+ in Site Development Grant funding, including $4.05M for Roane County’s Buttermilk Road site and $4.37M for Morgan County’s East Industrial Park—aimed at due diligence, site work, and water/sewer and access improvements to speed up new investment. AI + Connectivity in Memphis: SpaceX is offering eligible Memphis-area residents Starlink at half price with no upfront hardware cost, tying the promo to xAI’s expanding Colossus data center footprint. Higher Ed Costs in Tennessee: UT Knoxville trustees approved the 2027 budget, raising out-of-state tuition 5.1% and increasing mandatory fees; engineering undergrads face a higher per-credit differential tuition rate. Workforce Safety in Extreme Heat: Nashville OEM urged outdoor employers and workers to prevent heat illness with rest breaks, hydration, workload shifts, and training for heat exhaustion and heat stroke signs. Agriculture Policy Shift: Tennessee hemp farmers are pivoting as a new state ban takes effect, ending sales and cultivation of THCA products. Construction/Industrial News: ALS Mechatronic expands North American operations with a new Tennessee facility for bespoke industrial automation systems.

Nashville Data Center Fight: Mayor Freddie O’Connell confirmed he’ll use eminent domain to block a proposed AI data center near the Nashville Zoo, aiming to repurpose the site for Metro offices and public safety needs. Energy & Grid Readiness: TVA and EPB say they’re prepared for extreme heat, citing major reliability upgrades and backup power planning as demand spikes. Healthcare Contracting: Ntracts launched CLM Flex, a lighter contract lifecycle management tool built for smaller healthcare organizations to cut approval delays and reduce governance risk. Agribusiness Education: Tennessee Tech will offer a fully online agribusiness degree pathway this fall, keeping the same curriculum and exams as on-campus options. Transportation & Summer Travel: TDOT will suspend construction lane closures for the July 4 holiday travel window, while still warning of remaining work-zone slowdowns. Food Safety: USDA issued a public health alert for misbranded chicken sold at Kroger/Fred Meyer due to an undeclared egg allergen. Workforce Snapshot: Tennessee’s unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 3.1% after record lows, with job losses concentrated in mining/logging/construction. SNAP Policy Watch: Arkansas rolled out a mobile app to help SNAP users navigate its new junk-food purchase ban, which takes effect this week.

Memorial & Defense: Edwards AFB will hold a 6:30 p.m. memorial for eight people killed in a June 15 B-52 crash during a radar modernization test mission, including a University of Tennessee Space Institute alumnus. Local Sports & Tourism: Chattanooga Lookouts have already topped all of 2025’s attendance with half the 2026 season left at Erlanger Park. Riverfront Redevelopment: Chattanooga’s Head of the Hooch regatta may shift temporarily to Coolidge Park while the downtown riverfront closes for an 18-month project. Agriculture: USDA’s weekly crop report shows corn ratings slightly down but the Pro Farmer Crop Condition Index ticks up, with winter wheat 48% harvested. Food Safety: USDA issued a public health alert for mislabeled raw chicken breast products with undeclared egg allergen sold at Fred Meyer and Kroger stores, including in Tennessee. Public Assistance Watch: Tennessee faces potential SNAP cost exposure if its payment error rate doesn’t improve, with analysts estimating tens of millions in state budget impact. Business & Workforce: Coryell Roofing opened a Franklin Experience Center to help schools and public facilities make longer-lasting roofing decisions. Manufacturing/Autos: Nissan shared heat-and-road-trip prep tips for the Fourth of July travel surge. Energy/Tech: A 30MW crypto mining proposal is under review in Starkville, Mississippi, with officials citing stable power demand and noise controls.

Manufacturing Jobs Return: Memphis-based Premium Guard Inc. (PGI) plans to reopen the former Champion Laboratories facility in Albion, restoring nearly 200 jobs after the plant shut earlier this year. Energy & Environment: TVA’s Cumberland Fossil Plant plan to keep burning coal alongside a new gas unit is drawing a Clean Air Act lawsuit threat from the Southern Environmental Law Center, citing major pollution impacts for Middle Tennessee. Data Centers & Air Quality: A DOJ move seeks to dismiss an NAACP case tied to xAI’s Memphis-area “Colossus” gas turbine power setup, arguing national security needs for data centers—while residents raise health concerns. Consumer Health Industry: Opella marks one year as an independent consumer healthcare company after Sanofi’s spinout, expanding self-care innovation with a North American base in Morristown. Wireless Infrastructure: Extreme Networks unveiled Extreme Multi-Beam Wi‑Fi for stadium connectivity, aiming to boost capacity and coverage in high-density venues. Public Safety Tech Debate: A fresh pushback against ShotSpotter highlights low confirmation rates of alerts in other cities, renewing questions about its reliability. Local Governance & Recovery: Greene County and Cherokee National Forest signed a cooperation agreement using leftover Hurricane Helene relief funds for disaster recovery engineering, campground upgrades, signage, and stormwater work. Workplace Oversight: A UAW Monitor report details a “pattern of retaliation” by Shawn Fain and warns of potential sanctions.

Tennessee Forestry Leadership: Gov. Bill Lee and Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher appointed Heather Slayton as Tennessee state forester, overseeing 400 staff and 168,000 acres of state forests, with a focus on forest health, seedlings, inventory, wildfire prevention and support for forest industries. Memphis Tech Expansion: xAI filed permits totaling about $300 million for expansion at its Memphis Colossus I and Colossus II facilities, including a major alteration project and new warehouse/distribution work. Food Safety Watch: USDA issued a public health alert for Private Selection Honey Dijon raw chicken breasts with an undeclared egg allergen sold in Tennessee and several other states. Local Business Climate: A report says small businesses tied to summer crowds are bracing for uncertainty as inflation squeezes discretionary travel spending. Community Events: Nolensville’s Star Spangled Celebration moves to Nolensville High School tonight with live music, vendors and a fireworks finale after 9 p.m. Sports & Industry Talent: Samford’s Sports Industry Program is set to open a new student lounge designed by a Nashville firm behind major pro sports projects.

Nuclear Power: TVA’s Clinch River SMR push just got a major boost: the U.S. Department of Energy selected TVA for a $400 million grant to accelerate the next-gen Generation III+ small modular reactor, aiming for early-2030s commercial operation. Broadband Expansion: Tennessee lawmakers announced $24.9 million in broadband grants for Cocke, Hamblen, Jefferson, Grainger and Greene counties, using federal American Rescue Plan funds to reach thousands of unserved homes and businesses. Data Centers & Incentives: A new report on Arkansas data-center tax breaks highlights how property tax abatements can wipe out more than half of expected local revenue—an issue Tennessee communities are watching as data-center debates heat up. SNAP Policy: A federal court ruling keeps pressure on SNAP “junk food” restrictions, with the latest legal fight centered on whether the executive branch can change rules without Congress. Local Culture & Community: Tellico Village residents are staging “The Gazebo,” while Tellico Village Parks and Recreation is planting about 15,000 wildflower plugs around the Wellness Center trails.

Open Meetings Reform: Tennessee’s Open Meetings Act now requires local legislative bodies to post agendas 48 hours ahead with clear descriptions, and to include public comment when action is planned—aimed at cutting “vague” or hidden business. Healthcare Costs: States are moving to rein in pharmacy benefit managers as consumers worry about drug prices; Tennessee’s law bars PBMs from running retail pharmacies starting July 1, 2028, though CVS is suing. Livestock Safety: Tennessee’s state veterinarian warns buyers to avoid sight-unseen purchases and follow import rules, including health certificates within 30 days. Food Recall: USDA flagged a pasta salad recall across seven states, including Tennessee, due to possible mislabeling of allergens. Workforce & Schools: Cocke County’s Innovation Center secured $500,000 in state funding to expand hands-on trade training. Energy Efficiency: SWEPCO delivered a $49,505 incentive for Kilgore ISD’s new high school upgrades, targeting major annual energy savings. Local Weather: Clarksville-Montgomery County faces an Extreme Heat Watch with heat indexes near 110.

Gas & Travel: Tennessee gas prices fell another 15 cents to an average of $3.60, with AAA pointing to easing crude costs after the U.S.-Iran Strait of Hormuz news. Public Safety & Fraud: Tennessee Homeland Security warned of “SafeTN” toll scam texts that push fake links and threaten license suspension. Food Supply Chain: USDA issued a health alert for misbranded raw boneless chicken breast sold at Kroger/Fred Meyer in nine states, including Tennessee, due to an undeclared allergen. SNAP Legal Fight: A federal judge paused SNAP waivers that would have restricted soda and candy purchases in Tennessee and other states, saying USDA exceeded authority. Local Housing: Nashville’s MDHA marked 10 years of its PILOT program, reaching 11,000+ affordable units in Davidson County. City Government: Memphis Mayor Paul Young announced COO and CFO replacements amid ongoing economic pressure. Education/Facilities: Marshall County Schools approved TVA-funded lighting upgrades for soccer and band fields. Sports Business: Memphis Grizzlies selected Cameron Boozer third overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. NHL Draft Buzz: Gavin McKenna went No. 1 to Toronto, setting the tone for a star-heavy 2026 draft in Buffalo.

FEMA Funding: FEMA approved more than $50 million for 39 Tennessee recovery projects tied to Tropical Storm Helene and earlier disasters, including major debris removal and utility repairs. Food Safety: Reser’s Fine Foods recalled ready-to-eat “Molly’s Kitchen California Style Pasta Salad” in seven states after some containers may actually contain chicken salad with undeclared egg and milk allergens. Public Health: Tellico Area Services System voted to remove fluoride from its water supply after residents raised concerns and officials cited handling and corrosion risks. Banking & Growth: First Horizon Bank named Logan Young manager of business banking for the East Tennessee region, expanding leadership for a fast-growing footprint. Energy & Industry Watch: Local opposition and questions are resurfacing around Alcoa’s “South Plant” site as data-center interest grows, putting control and future use back in focus. Local Workforce & Training: Walters State Community College held commencement ceremonies awarding hundreds of degrees and certificates, including health-program graduates. Travel & Costs: AAA reports Tennessee gas prices keep sliding, with Independence Day travel expected to set records for road trips.

Energy & Grid Planning: TVA has posted its latest Integrated Resource Plan and opened a final comment period, mapping how the agency could add 11–32 gigawatts of capacity by 2040, with natural gas and new nuclear tech still in the mix. Power Storage for Reliability: Nashville Electric Service is partnering with Seven States Power to add 100 megawatts of grid battery storage, backed by a $439 million USDA Rural Utilities Service loan and grant, with construction starting in 2027. Foodservice Operations: Chef’s Deal launched a “Priority Equipment Support” program to help Tennessee restaurants and caterers quickly replace critical gear during peak event seasons. Public Transit & Service Pressure: Memphis Area Transit Authority hosted a summer block party at its Main Street terminal, but riders say on-time performance and bus availability issues are still hurting daily commutes. Tennessee Hemp Regulation Impact: A West Knoxville hemp retailer, The Hemp House, plans to close by July 2 as new state rules limit products and pricing flexibility. Consumer Safety Alert: USDA issued a health alert for misbranded “Honey Dijon” boneless chicken breast products sold at Kroger and Fred Meyer, citing undeclared egg allergens. Local Business & Growth: Tennessee Tech trustees approved a new Bachelor of Architecture degree, targeting a fall 2027 launch pending state approval.

Energy Planning: TVA is taking public comment on its Preliminary Final 2026 Integrated Resource Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, with feedback due July 22 and a July 2 webinar; the plan targets how TVA will meet rising demand, including data-center growth. Clean Transportation Funding: TDEC is launching a second round of Volkswagen Diesel Settlement grants, with $4.3 million available to help Tennessee fleets replace or repower medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to cut nitrogen-oxide emissions. Local Industry & Manufacturing: Crenlo Engineered Cabs is moving its HQ from Minneapolis to Bentonville, while noting its manufacturing footprint across Minnesota, South Dakota, and Tennessee and its role supplying cab systems for major heavy-equipment brands. Logistics & Aviation: FedEx says four grounded MD-11s are back in service and the rest are on track to return before peak season. Workforce & Tech: Hirebotics unveiled an explosion-proof, no-code Cobot Painter aimed at letting metal fabricators automate finishing without dedicated paint cells. Community & Public Safety: Anheuser-Busch and Eagle Distributing donated emergency drinking water to East Tennessee volunteer fire departments ahead of wildfire season. Civic Operations: Tennessee election officials are still recruiting poll workers as Election Day nears, emphasizing the staffing needs to run secure voting smoothly.