Tennessee tourism generated a record $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending and saw 144 million visitors to the state in 2023, according to new data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

Tennessee’s direct visitor spending increased 6.2% in 2023. This follows two consecutive years of double-digit growth, driving Tennessee to a 125% recovery over 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

Highlights from the report include:

• Tourism generated $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending in 2023, a 25% increase over two years

• Tennessee visitors spent $84 million each day in 2023, generating $3.2 billion in direct state and local tax revenues in 2023. Without tourism, each Tennessee household would have to pay an additional $1,160 in taxes each year

• Average taxes on direct visitor spending reduces the burden on community residents to fund infrastructure, education health and safety services

• Visitor spending sustained 191,522 direct jobs, one of every 24 jobs in the state

• Employment supported by visitor activity increased 3% in 2023, rebounding to 98% of pre-pandemic levels

• Domestic visitor spending is 127% recovered to pre-pandemic (2019) levels

• International visitor spending is 81.6% recovered to pre-pandemic (2019) levels

• Tennessee visitors topped 144 million in 2023, up 3 million over 2022, led by relatively stronger growth in day visits

Nissan Rogue ‘Coolest Thing Made in TN’

Nissan Rogue owners, take note: you’re driving the Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee.The Nissan Rogue, made in Smyrna, has been voted the winner of the inaugural Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee contest, organized by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce.

The winner was announced at the official contest luncheon and Smart Solutions for Smart Factories Expo at The Commons at PIE Innovation Center in Cleveland, Tennessee.

“The Nissan Rogue’s victory in our inaugural contest is a testament to the outstanding quality and impact of Tennessee’s manufacturing sector,” says Bradley Jackson, president and CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “This award highlights the exceptional work being done at Nissan’s Smyrna plant and their contribution to the automotive industry.”

The Tennessee Chamber and Tennessee Manufacturers Association, in partnership with the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services, Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association and Smart Factory Institute Tennessee, launched the lighthearted competition earlier this summer.

The contest drew over 100-plus submissions from a diverse array of innovators and manufacturers. Participants ranged from high-profile brands like Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, M&M’S Peanut Butter Minis, and Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pie to emerging local enterprises showcasing Tennessee’s tapestry of creativity and craftsmanship.

More than 75,000 votes were cast from Tennessee’s business and manufacturing community.

Downtown library to close for maintenance

The main branch of the Nashville Public Library will temporarily close for essential preventive maintenance beginning Monday, Aug. 19, with an anticipated reopening in early October.

Preventive maintenance will be performed on the heating and cooling system that regulates temperatures for about 200,000 square feet of space across three floors of the building.

Patrons with holds at the main library will be able to pick up as usual until closing Wednesday, Aug. 14, with the option of routing pending hold requests to any of the 20 NPL branch locations before the item becomes available downtown.

To do so, visit catalog.library.nashville.org/MyAccount/Holds and select “change pickup location” for each item you want to reroute.

Beginning Aug. 19, all items not picked up from the main library will be available at the Looby branch, 2301 Rosa L Parks Boulevard.

Provisions Group acquires Hammrtech

Provisions Group, a leader in IT consulting and staffing solutions, has announced the acquisition of Hammrtech, a Knoxville-based AI specialty firm that provides high-tech solutions for cybersecurity, cloud and software development, and which has been heavily investing in AI, including developing a proprietary AI technology currently being used by many of their customers.

This strategic acquisition not only grows Provisions Group’s leading capabilities in delivering cybersecurity, software and cloud services but cutting-edge AI solutions, as well.

The Hammrtech acquisition also expands Provisions Group into the Knoxville area, continuing the company’s growth as a technology services leader in Tennessee. Provisions Group will keep a satellite office in Knoxville, and already has team members there in place.

Founded in 2003, Provisions Group is an IT consulting and staffing firm based in Franklin with more than 200 team members nationwide. Provisions Group’s areas of expertise include cloud-first solutions with core capabilities within IT advisory and strategy, application development, data and analytics, infrastructure, cybersecurity and risk, DevOps, Salesforce, HubSpot, CRM, Dynamics/Power Platform, Healthcare IT, IT staffing and recruiting services.

Monroe Carrell adds to transplant services

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt recently joined an elite group of pediatric hospitals offering transplants for multiple organs with the addition of pancreas and lung transplantation.

Recognized as a major regional referral center for heart, kidney and liver transplantation, incorporating pancreas and lung transplant services for pediatric patients bolsters the well-established expertise currently offered by the Vanderbilt Transplant Center (VTC).

“We are already doing three of the most common transplants at Monroe Carell,” says Saeed Mohammad, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Center at Monroe Carell. “Bringing pancreas and lung transplantation into the fold will enable us to provide access to lifesaving transplants for as many patients as possible, especially those patients who have traditionally traveled long distances for care.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has one of the largest transplant centers in the U.S. with a very robust pediatric arm. The pediatric specialty performed 26 liver transplants, nine heart transplants and 14 kidney transplants in fiscal 2024, helping to set records for the comprehensive adult and pediatric program.

Nashville ranks 7th in top markets for renters

With a surge of would-be renters in the market, a new report from Realtor.com, Top 10 Markets for Renters, found cities in the South and Midwest rank highest for their rental affordability, rental availability, economic growth and shorter than average commute times, making them prime destinations for those seeking both opportunity and quality of life.

Austin, Texas took the top spot with a rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% and a high rental vacancy rate of 9.0%, leading to strong affordability and availability for renters. Oklahoma City ranked second, followed by Birmingham, Alabama, San Antonio, Texas and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Each of these leading cities is experiencing economic growth, attracting many young professionals. Austin (No. 1 on the list) and Raleigh (No. 9) were also named top rental markets for 2024 college graduates.

Nashville ranked seventh with a rent-to-income ratio of 23.8 (the highest among the top 10) and a rental vacancy rate of 9.2%.

A common feature among the top 10 markets is a favorable rental vacancy rate. With more rental options to choose from, renters in these cities may wield greater bargaining power when negotiating with landlords.

The top markets as a group are located within metro areas that have an average rental vacancy rate of 8.8%, surpassing both the town/city average of 6.4% and the metro average of 6.9%.

County unemployment rates see seasonal spike

Seasonal changes in employment that occur annually, such as school breaks, caused Tennessee’s county unemployment numbers to increase in June, according to new data released by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

Unlike the statewide unemployment rate, at an all-time low in Tennessee, county unemployment rates are not adjusted to take into account seasonal impacts.

June’s data showed unemployment rates increased in each of Tennessee’s 95 counties during the month. Eighty-two counties had unemployment rates less than 5% in June, while the remaining 13 counties had 5% or greater rates but less than 10%.

Sevier and Williamson counties reported the lowest unemployment numbers for the month, with rates of 2.7%. Both counties saw an increase of 0.6% between May and June.

Cheatham County had the next lowest rate at 2.8%, which was a 0.5% jump from its May rate.

Bledsoe County had the state’s highest unemployment rate in June. At 5.8%, the county experienced a 1.4% increase in a month-to-month comparison.

McNairy County came in with the second-highest rate at 5.7%, a 1.5% increase from its rate in May.

Tennessee’s statewide seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June remained at a record-breaking 3% for the second month, as TDLWD reported July 18.

REI distribution center earns LEED certification

Outdoor retailer REI Co-op announced its newest distribution center in Lebanon earned the prestigious LEED v4 Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

This achievement marks the first certified facility of its kind in Tennessee and the largest LEED Platinum industrial building in the Southeast. REI joins an elite group of only 10 warehouse facilities in the country to achieve this rating.

The certification in the industrial sector demonstrates the co-op’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis through responsible and sustainable business growth. By 2030 REI aspires to more than halve its greenhouse gas emissions.

Last year marked the 11th consecutive year of REI using 100% renewable electricity across all operations in the country. REI’s Lebanon facility follows in this tradition, utilizing 100% renewable electricity through an on-site solar array and energy from a recently constructed renewable energy solar array in East Tennessee supported in-part by REI.