Across the delegation, the message was consistent
By Heather Thomas, Upper Cumberland Business Journal
The Putnam County Chamber of Commerce’s State of the State Signature Luncheon connected a packed room of business and civic leaders with Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, Senator Paul Bailey and Representative Ryan Williams for a candid look at current legislation, statewide priorities, and the road ahead for growth and development.
The event was presented by Enbridge, which employs 185 people in Tennessee and partners with communities across multiple TVA-served counties to support reliable energy and economic growth.
“Our Signature Luncheon is all about connection — connecting our members with the decision-makers shaping Tennessee’s future. From updates on tax reform and education to health care and workforce priorities, it’s a chance for our community to hear directly from our state delegation about what’s happening in Nashville and what’s ahead. We’re proud to host this event each year to keep our business community informed, engaged and united across Cookeville, Putnam County, and the Highlands region,” said Amy New, President & CEO, Cookeville–Putnam County Chamber of Commerce
The business climate: “Predictability and momentum”
Across the delegation, the message was consistent: keep taxes competitive, reduce regulatory friction and invest where it speeds projects: roads, utilities and workforce pipelines. Tennessee’s continued gains in jobs and in-migration (people moving into the state from other U.S. areas) underscore that talent and infrastructure capacity determine which communities land the next expansion; more in-migration means a larger workforce and stronger consumer demand—but also added pressure on housing and core infrastructure, all central to site selection and growth planning.
Healthcare access & local flexibility (Senator Paul Bailey)
- CRMC staffing flexibility: Passage of legislation enabling Cookeville Regional Medical Center to hire certain health care specialty professionals without requiring a corporate employment model for physicians—aimed at improving staffing agility and patient access. Rural competitiveness: programs that balance metro momentum with rural/ micropolitan opportunities.
- Medicaid block grant performance: Tennessee has received approximately $330 million per year for the past three years under the state’s block grant/shared-savings structure, which officials say helped cover additional populations and services—postpartum mothers, dental benefits under TennCare and support for senior care. Bailey framed Tennessee as a national leader in stewarding health care funds and pursuing fiscally responsible delivery.
Budget normalization, education investment & major capital (Representative Ryan Williams)
- Budget reset after COVID surge: An influx of federal and state revenues during COVID expanded the budget; as those funds receded and franchise & excise receipts softened, the state has re-balanced—with Williams noting the outlook remains positive as core services continue to be funded.
- K–12 focus: Increased state spending on K–12; Putnam County Schools cited for student growth momentum. Williams called school phone-free policies a positive step.
- State workforce health: TCRS (Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System) is 100% funded for state employees’ post-employment benefits.
- Higher ed as an economic engine: Roughly $800 million in recent investments at Tennessee Tech University reflect the state’s view of TTU as an economic driver for the Upper Cumberland.
- Rural healthcare resources: A $50 billion federal package (“the big bill,” as referenced) includes rural health allocations; the Department of Health and the Lt. Governor’s office have submitted Tennessee plans to deploy the state’s portion.
Education reform & workforce talent pipeline competition (Speaker Cameron Sexton)
- “Competition is good business” mindset: Sexton urged schools to compete to better serve each student, creating a success driven culture and accountability. He explained an outcome-based progression, encouraging a mastery-based advancement that borrows from outside the box problem-solving strategies in education.
- Teacher accreditation innovation: Challenged assumptions that all classroom roles require a bachelor’s degree, suggesting exploration of stackable pathways—relating to LPN/RN ladders in nursing that increase supply without sacrificing quality.
- Speakers emphasized that safer streets and communities are foundational to economic growth. The delegation noted ongoing work with the Tennessee Attorney General’s office on legislation to increase penalties for coercion resulting in a death. A draft measure sponsored by Rep. Ryan Williams—often described as a “coercive suicide” bill and inspired by the unfortunate 2019 Knoxville case—is expected to be considered in the upcoming session.
The state delegation signaled vital economic development and policy with pragmatic investment—infrastructure, education, public safety, and health care aimed at keeping Tennessee’s growth momentum on track while the state budgets through a post-COVID revenue reset.
If you’re planning 2026–27 expansions, now is the time to advance site readiness, lock in workforce training partners, and map incentives aligned to your hiring and capital schedule.
Photo courtesy of Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.
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