AGP Executive Report

Tennessee Nuclear Push: The U.S. Department of Energy named Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho as potential host states for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, aiming to boost domestic manufacturing and create high-paying jobs. Local Agriculture & Food Supply: Fresh Inset Solutions launched a new e-commerce platform for U.S. apple growers to buy MaTri® 1-MCP post-harvest treatments online, targeting cost and labor pressures while helping reduce waste. Health Care Policy Fight: A Tennessee jury heard the state’s case against Meta over claims Instagram harmed teens, with the state alleging the company knew and stayed quiet. Consumer Protection & Courts: Tennessee’s lawsuit against Meta is also framed around the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, as arguments continue in the trial. Water & Cybersecurity: Minnesota utilities reported a coordinated OT cyberattack affecting dozens of water systems, with some automated controls impacted but services largely maintained. Environment: Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful received the 2026 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for Natural Resources after record cleanup and restoration work across the Tennessee River watershed. Agriculture Crime: Tennessee’s Agriculture Crime Unit recovered a stolen horse and arrested two Monroe County women on felony theft charges. Community Spotlight: Oak Ridge Farmers’ Market marked its 50th anniversary ahead of Aug. 8 celebrations, highlighting decades of producer-only local food.

Nuclear Energy & Manufacturing: Tennessee is named a potential host for the U.S. DOE’s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, joining Utah, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho—an effort aimed at modernizing the nuclear fuel cycle and potentially drawing up to $50B in investment, $10B in tax revenue and tens of thousands of jobs, with Tennessee’s Oak Ridge corridor highlighted as a key hub. Data Centers & Power Demand: The DOE push is tied to rising electricity needs from AI and data centers, where Tennessee’s industrial load from TVA is already climbing fast and could surge further. Economic Development: Jabil plans a $119M Marshall County expansion tied to the data center supply chain, targeting about 2,200 jobs. Agriculture & Biosecurity: USDA is making $35M available for partnerships to fight feral swine, including Tennessee, as invasive pigs threaten farms, landscapes and health. Tech & Industry: IonQ received final regulatory approval to complete its acquisition of SkyWater Technology, aiming to accelerate its quantum chip manufacturing roadmap. Local Business/Industry: Holley Performance Brands is selling Scott Drake and Brothers Trucks brands to CJ Pony Parts, a move to refocus Holley’s core performance lineup.

Meta Teen Harm Trial: Tennessee opened its landmark case against Meta, telling jurors the company knew Instagram’s design could harm teens and still stayed quiet, with prosecutors pointing to internal research and engagement features like autoplay and push alerts. Healthcare & Deals: Siemens Healthineers announced an $87M multi-year partnership with Vanderbilt Health to standardize imaging and radiation oncology tech and expand workforce development. Local Tax Relief: A county commission approved early property tax discounts—2% for October payments and 1% for November—plus a continued property tax freeze program for eligible seniors. Fusion & Manufacturing: Realta Fusion plans to start building its R&D and HQ at OM Station in Madison, using incentives and targeting 600+ jobs as it pushes toward grid-connected fusion. Energy/Infrastructure Oversight: Tennessee’s trial also lands amid broader scrutiny of how regulators handle major tech and infrastructure impacts, while rail merger talks continue as Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern revise their application. Business Watch: Cracker Barrel’s CEO transition continues after its troubled rebrand, with David Deno set to replace Julie Masino.

Education & Workforce: Tennessee Higher Education Commission approved a new process for “Focused Baccalaureate Degrees,” potentially cutting some bachelor’s programs to as few as 90 credits, plus it greenlit two new UT Knoxville programs and statewide policy updates for outcomes-based funding and campus planning. Energy & Housing: TVA signed the Trump Administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, saying it will help keep data-center costs from being passed to the 10 million customers it serves; in Nashville, a free weatherization program is covering HVAC and insulation upgrades for income-qualifying homeowners. Tech & Consumer Hiring: Memphis-based Data Facts announced an Oracle Recruiting Cloud integration for background screening, aiming to speed hiring workflows and reduce manual steps. Courts & Social Media: A landmark Nashville trial began with Tennessee’s attorney general suing Meta over claims Instagram harms teens, with opening arguments featuring internal workplace messages. Local Infrastructure: Cookeville says South Jefferson Avenue widening is complete and all five lanes are open, with minor intermittent closures possible as TDOT finishes remaining work. Business & Finance: Commercial Bancgroup reported Q2 2026 net income of $10.2M and detailed its post-IPO stock reclassification and split structure. Environment & Permitting: Savannah Riverkeeper and other groups sued the U.S. Army Corps over a 2026 nationwide permit meant to streamline pipeline approvals, arguing it sidesteps key environmental protections.

Retail/Real Estate: A new Dutch Bros Coffee is headed to Arlington, with Deaco Group filing a construction permit for 8868 U.S. Highway 64. Healthcare/Business: The Ensign Group reported second-quarter 2026 results, raising annual earnings and revenue guidance as demand and occupancy improve across its skilled nursing and senior living portfolio. Foodservice Efficiency: Chef’s Deal Restaurant Equipment Store in Nashville expanded its ENERGY STAR certified commercial kitchen lineup, pitching lower operating costs and rebate access for Tennessee restaurants. Aviation/Travel: Frontier is leaving McGhee Tyson Airport after August, though it plans a seasonal return; Knoxville expects the move to be temporary as the airport reshapes service. Manufacturing/Jobs: Roane County continues to draw nuclear investment, with coverage pointing to a supply-chain boom and thousands of jobs. Cyber/AI Risk: LTM partnered with Cognition to use Devin for cybersecurity risk assurance in financial services, aiming to improve visibility as AI adoption accelerates. Energy Supply Chains: A new IEA report warns critical mineral export controls could put $6.5T of downstream industry outside China at risk, with automakers and high-tech among the most exposed. Local Culture: Lexington bluegrass vocalist Greg Blake earned another 2026 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year nomination, with a Nashville Opry appearance noted.

Nuclear Jobs Boom: Roane County and Oak Ridge leaders say East Tennessee’s nuclear push is already adding 4,000+ jobs and about $10B in investment, with recruitment across the supply chain and long-term support from the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corp. Data Center Fight in Nashville: Nashville leaders approve new rules and a pause on data centers as the city weighs a planned project near the zoo, with officials promising more action. Antitrust & Pharma Costs: Utah AG announces a $29.6M settlement with Glenmark over alleged generic-drug price inflation, as states prepare for a first trial tied to the alleged conspiracy. Health Care Transparency: Congress is again moving to tighten hospital and insurer price transparency, including a bill introduced by Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn targeting Medicare Advantage private insurers. Food Safety Shock: A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce is hitting restaurants and supermarkets, with CDC confirming spread to multiple states and major traffic drops reported for affected chains. Logistics & Waste: FedEx Cares held an e-waste drop-off at its Memphis site, diverting 8,394 pounds from landfills. Workforce & Training: Walters State Community College names five new vice presidents, expanding leadership across workforce/economic development and business/finance.

Community Giving: Tennessee QB Faizon Brandon hosted his first Knoxville-area football camp for 100+ kids and raised $12,520 for Tennessee Children’s Home, matching the initial $6,260 haul. Local Sports & Fan Culture: Tennessee players also held a fan meet-and-greet at a Food City in Knoxville, drawing long lines and showing how preseason events are becoming a major local draw. Retail Tech & Pricing: A report on “surveillance pricing” flags Tennessee grocery shoppers’ concerns as electronic shelf labels roll out at major chains, with lawmakers pushing for protections against data-driven price changes. Food Safety: Taylor Farms issued a statement amid a cyclosporiasis outbreak, as health agencies warn the public and expand investigations. Public Policy & Food Assistance: SNAP enrollment fell by 27,000 in Colorado, with a new analysis blaming last year’s “Big Beautiful Bill” changes—another reminder of how federal policy can hit household budgets fast. Tennessee Business Watch: A securities-fraud investigation is underway involving Alarum Technologies after FBI seizures disrupted parts of its web data services.

Food Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,200 cans of Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup (Light in Sodium) in 28 states, including Tennessee, after a manufacturing defect could cause spoilage; the FDA classifies it as Class II and consumers can return cans for refunds. Healthcare Costs & Compliance: A federal price-transparency crackdown flagged Tennessee Valley hospitals for potential non-compliance, including Siskin Hospital (Chattanooga), Bradley Medical Center Westside (Cleveland), and Sweetwater Hospital Association (Sweetwater), with at least one citing a website “glitch.” Logistics & Crime: Federal prosecutors unsealed indictments charging 12 people in a $2M Nike cargo theft conspiracy tied to Memphis’ logistics hub, alleging stolen product moved across the U.S. Energy & Industry: Nuclear power gets fresh investor attention as small modular reactors are pitched as a way to meet rising AI data-center demand, even as companies like NuScale face stock volatility. Local Economy & Growth: Tennessee’s Bridges Engine initiative aims to turn switchgrass and miscanthus grown on farms into bio-based materials for vehicles and construction, with Volkswagen among partners. Community & Recreation: Cleveland/Bradley Greenways secured a $3.6M grant for major upgrades to Greenway Park, including a skate park, splash pad, and renovated facilities. Sports & Culture: Tennessee football players held a Food City fan meet-and-greet in Knoxville, while Loretta’s motocross qualifiers put a 7-year-old Ada rider on the path to the national amateur championship in Hurricane Mills.

AI Energy Policy: President Trump expanded the Ratepayer Protection Pledge at the EPA, aiming to stop AI-driven data center growth from raising electricity costs; TVA also signed, saying it will keep rates affordable while managing data center load expected to double by 2030. Nashville Data Center Fight: The Nashville Zoo rejected a deal that would have placed a DC Blox data center near the park, adding to local pressure for moratoriums and tighter rules. Food Safety & Manufacturing: CDC and FDA report Cyclospora outbreaks linked to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce, with a broad recall and sourcing suspension from central Mexico as officials track cases across multiple states including Tennessee. Local Industry & Jobs: Roane County is actively recruiting nuclear and energy companies across the supply chain, with the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation serving as a long-term point of contact for zoning, infrastructure, and workforce needs. Bankruptcy Watch: First Brands Group bankruptcy testimony alleges executives moved hundreds of millions into accounts under personal control, with prosecutors describing a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme. Agriculture Research: MTSU won a $200,000 USDA grant to study honeybee circadian rhythms, targeting better pollinator protection and food supply resilience. Workforce/Community: State treasurer funding delivered for Tennessee school construction and maintenance, including roof and HVAC work in Dayton. Public Health/Regulation: An FDA advisory panel narrowly recommended allowing certain unapproved peptides for pharmacy compounding, advancing a broader debate over access and safety.

Logistics & Retail: FedEx is raising U.S. holiday peak surcharges and demand fees, with new per-package charges rolling out from late September through mid-January—another hit to shipping costs heading into the busiest season. Energy & Environment: PacifiCorp and partners painted 36 wind turbine blades black at a Wyoming wind farm to test whether making blades more visible can cut bird deaths; the project follows similar Norway research. Travel & Development: Buc-ee’s confirmed its first Middle Tennessee location in Murfreesboro—about 74,000 square feet with 120 pumps—aiming to open before year-end, alongside major road work paid for by the company. Public Health: The CDC expanded its cyclosporiasis investigation to nine states after a Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce recall; Tennessee is included among places with “Taco Bell exposure” cases. Food Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled 184,000+ cans of organic lentil soup (Light in Sodium) due to a pull-tab defect that could lead to spoilage, with Tennessee listed among distribution states. Policy & Power: Gov. Bill Lee signed Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, a voluntary effort to prevent data-center growth from driving up consumer electricity bills. Manufacturing & AI: AMD will supply Anthropic with up to 2 gigawatts of MI450 AI chips and invest up to $5 billion, underscoring Tennessee’s broader interest in AI infrastructure and compute demand. Local Business & Neighborhoods: Memphis’ Sterick Building renovation plans are expanding into a wider “HiFi District” vision, including a public market and nearby development.

Energy & Infrastructure: TVA is signing a “ratepayer protection” pledge tied to data-center costs as the AI boom keeps colliding with Tennessee’s power and permitting realities. Local Housing: Memphis has the smallest housing deficit among the nation’s biggest metros, but affordability still bites—newer, pricier homes are outpacing what many first-time buyers can manage. Affordable Housing Delivery: Jackson Housing Authority unveiled BlueCreek Apartments, aiming to replace outdated stock with more energy-efficient, modern units. Food & Agriculture: USDA is allocating $35 million to combat feral swine, while Tennessee consumers are also dealing with food-safety recalls tied to undeclared ingredients and spoilage risks. Workforce & Industry: UAW says it ratified a Dana master wage agreement, a reminder that auto-parts labor talks ripple across the South. Public Health & Safety: A tick-bite-linked red meat allergy is drawing federal attention as Congress weighs tick-borne disease research priorities. Education & Research: ETSU professor Aruna Kilaru earned a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to expand plant cell biomanufacturing research with partners in India. Politics: Former Gov. Phil Bredesen endorsed Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder in Tennessee’s 5th District Democratic race. Community & Local Government: Greeneville is accepting applications for its Standard Review Board, and Townsend approved demolition work at Special People’s Park to move a long-planned makeover forward.

Food Safety & Agriculture: Taylor Farms is back in the spotlight as federal health officials investigate a Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, adding to a recent run of recalls and sanitation concerns tied to the company’s processing plants. Consumer Health: Amy’s Kitchen recalled more than 184,000 cans of Organic Lentil Soup over a can-lid defect that could lead to spoilage; the notice follows other recent grocery recalls. Logistics & Crime: A federal grand jury indicted CoolKicks co-founder Bereket Abraham and others in an alleged $2M Nike shoe theft scheme that prosecutors say used Memphis warehouse workers and UPS shipping labels to move stolen product. Local Business: Chicky Sandos is closing one Baton Rouge location while keeping two others open. Workforce & Economy: Tennessee’s unemployment rose in nearly every county in June, with the state rate at 3.5% as summer break affects who files. Healthcare: West Tennessee Healthcare Milan Hospital earned top CMS HCAHPS five-star ratings for both nurse and physician communication. Tech & Policy: Nashville data center rules remain in flux as local officials pause or tighten development amid public pushback and ratepayer concerns.

Nashville Data Centers: Metro Council voted to pause new data center permits until December and tighten rules on noise, water use and construction distances after pushback tied to a proposed DC Blox site near the Nashville Zoo. Healthcare Infrastructure: Ballad Health bought 15 acres for a new Unicoi County Hospital, a $2.5 million step toward restoring full-service care after Hurricane Helene destroyed the prior hospital. Food Safety: Fresh & Ready Foods recalled spicy breakfast burritos sold in grab-and-go markets and vending machines in eight states, including Tennessee and Georgia, due to undeclared soy and sausage. Retail/Finance: FirstCash reported record second-quarter results, with pawn demand driving earnings growth, and authorized a new $150 million share repurchase plan. Logistics/Crime: A federal case alleges a Nike cargo theft ring that used falsified UPS labels to reroute more than $2 million in shoes from Memphis. Energy/Industry: TVA construction nears completion on a Cumberland natural gas plant, while Nashville also weighs broader energy and infrastructure impacts. Local Economy: Estimates suggest many West Tennessee counties aren’t growing as fast as expected since BlueOval City’s 2021 announcement.

AI & Patents: The University of Tennessee Research Foundation sued Anthropic in federal court, alleging its AI systems use Tennessee-linked neuroscience-inspired machine learning patents, seeking damages and an injunction. Health Costs: A Tennessee retina practice study says anti-VEGF eye injections can cost patients far more once travel and missed work are counted, not just the drug and visit. Aviation & Rural Access: A proposed federal cut to the Essential Air Service program could reduce subsidized flights to small airports, raising concerns about keeping regional industry and jobs connected. Logistics & Crime: Federal prosecutors indicted 12 people in a Memphis-based Nike cargo theft conspiracy tied to at least $2 million in stolen product. Energy & Research: DOE selected Oak Ridge National Laboratory to lead nine Genesis Mission projects, aiming to speed breakthroughs in areas like fusion, critical minerals, and next-gen materials. Local Tech Policy: Nashville approved a data center moratorium and new siting rules after community opposition, including limits near schools and the Nashville Zoo. Wildlife: TWRA confirmed a first chronic wasting disease positive deer case in Decatur County, triggering hunting incentive options and movement restrictions.

Nashville Data Centers: Metro Council approved new zoning rules to restrict future data centers and added a moratorium through December after months of protests tied to the DC Blox project near the Nashville Zoo. AI & Patents: The University of Tennessee Research Foundation sued Anthropic over alleged use of unlicensed neural network patents, framing it as part of a broader IP dispute. Nuclear for AI Demand: Oklo and X-energy are joining a $200 million federal push aimed at speeding new nuclear plants for AI data centers. EV Supply Chain: LG Energy Solution plans to restart its Ohio battery plant with GM after a six-month shutdown, recalling about 850 workers as EV demand improves. Manufacturing & Defense: Beehive Industries is scaling additive manufacturing into high-volume jet engine production, centered on its Frenzy 8 engine for uncrewed defense systems. Food Safety: Fresh & Ready Foods recalled select spicy breakfast burritos due to undeclared soy, distributed across multiple states including Tennessee. Local Business & Retail Tech: Tri Star Energy migrated three convenience store brands to a unified Rovertown mobile app platform. Sports Media: The NHL will centrally produce local game telecasts for four teams as regional sports networks continue to unravel.

Consumer & Retail: RTA Outdoor Living hit 1,000 Google reviews with a 5-star average for its fully online, design-to-install outdoor kitchen model—built around proactive customer success rather than showroom sales. Food Safety: The FDA says the Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce cyclosporiasis recall still stands even after a “false positive” lab result; the outbreak-linked products were distributed to 27 states including Tennessee. Energy & Utilities: Memphis Light, Gas and Water plans 125 MW of battery storage across nine Shelby County substations to lower TVA-related peak costs, with full operation targeted for Dec. 2028. Manufacturing & Jobs: Cleveland/Bradley County manufacturers were nominated for the “Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee” contest, with voting running through July 29. Local Business & Growth: Windsor Door marked a Nashville distribution center opening, signaling continued logistics investment in the region. Weather Risk: Middle Tennessee faces a heat advisory and a severe storm risk Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with damaging winds and flash flooding possible. Tech & Data: Tennessee’s courts are set to hear a dispute involving Meta’s Instagram addiction claims, as scrutiny grows worldwide.