SmartStart™ Communities

Smart Businesses Start Here

Tennessee is building the nation’s easiest place to start and grow a business—and you can help make it happen in your community.

The TN SmartStart™ Community Initiative empowers local partners with training, tools, and resources to support small businesses and entrepreneurs right where they live. Together, we connect business owners to the right resource at the right time—fueling growth, innovation, and opportunity in every corner of Tennessee.

 

How It Works: A “No Wrong Door” Approach

We believe every small business and entrepreneur should reach the right support—no matter where they start. “No wrong door” means that whether someone reaches out to a library, municipal or county clerk’s office, local nonprofit, utility provider, or a main street storefront, they’ll be guided to the right resources at the right time.

Collaboration Builds Strength

True growth happens through connection. SmartStart™ Communities foster collaboration among local partners so small businesses and startups have access to up-to-date tools, training, funding, and technical support. Together, we strip away confusion and build pathways to success.

Role of Community Partners

Community Partners are essential to the SmartStart™ mission. These partners act as local touchpoints, helping entrepreneurs navigate programs, services, and resources. Their role is central to making the “no wrong door” promise real.

Who can be a Community Partner?

An organization committed to helping local small businesses and entrepreneurs—whether or not it has a physical storefront. The key is willingness.

Some potential partners could be (and are):

  • Elected officials and their staff
  • Chamber of Commerce / Main Street Directors
  • Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs)
  • Utility companies
  • Established small business owners
  • Libraries, schools, and educational institutions
  • County and city clerks’ offices
  • Artists, makerspaces, inventors

         …and more—your community’s needs may suggest others.

Because every community is unique, there’s no rigid formula—only a shared goal of increasing business success locally.

 

Ready to make an impact?

Join the SmartStart™ Community Initiative—help shape your local small business and entrepreneur ecosystem, access exclusive training and materials, and collaborate with others to welcome entrepreneurs in
your region. 

 

 Rolling Enrollment — There is no deadline.

Communities may join or expand at any time. Current training, materials, and onboarding support will be available for new sessions soon!

 

Ready to Participate?

 Here’s how to take the next step:

  • Gather your prospective Community Partner contacts.
  • Complete the SmartStart™ Community Sign-Up Form.
  • After joining, you’ll be able to add/remove partners, request branded materials (stickers/decals), and manage your community’s guide listings.

 

Ready to sign-up?  Look for updatres inSpring 2026. We look forward to talking to you then!

 

📌 Have questions? Email us at ecd.SmartStart@tn.gov.

 

Community Partners Only

Welcome, SmartStart™ Community Partners!

Here you can manage your team, update your community’s resources, and request additional materials to support your local small businesses and entrepreneurs.

 

 What would you like to do?

  • Update your Community Partners: Add/remove a Community Partner (currently paused) 
  • Request print materials: Order stickers/decals "Smart Businesses Start Here"
  • Update your community's TN SmartStart™ Guide resources (currently paused) 

 

📌Need help? Email us at ecd.SmartStart@tn.gov.

 

Across Tennessee, SmartStart™ Communities are building welcoming, resource-ready environments where entrepreneurs thrive—celebrating local innovation and making it easier than ever to start and grow a business.

 

West Tennessee

Adamsville  •  Alamo  •  Arlington  •  Bartlett  •  Brownsville  •  Collierville  •  Covington  •  Dyer  • Dyersburg  •  Humboldt  •  Huntingdon  •  Jackson  •  McKenzie  •  Newbern  •  Paris  •  Ripley  •  Saltillo  •  Savannah  •  Selmer  •  Somerville  •  Tiptonville  •  Trenton  •  Union City  •  Whiteville

 

Middle Tennessee

Alexandria  •  Centerville  •  Clifton  •  Collinwood  •  Columbia  •  Cookeville  •  Decherd  •  Fayetteville  •  Franklin  •  Gallatin  •  Hohenwald  •  Lawrenceburg  •  Lebanon  •  Lewisburg  •  Livingston  •  Loretto  •  McMinnville  •  Mount Pleasant  •  Murfreesboro  •  Perry Co.  •  Pulaski  •  Shelbyville  •  Tullahoma  •  Waynesboro  •  Winchester

 

East Tennessee 

Athens  •  Bristol  •  Chattanooga  •  Cleveland  •  Cocke Co./Newport  •  Copperhill  •  Cumberland Gap  •  Dayton  •  Elizabethton  •  Erwin  •  Etowah  •  Greeneville  •  Johnson City  •  Jonesborough  •  Kingsport  •  Madisonville  •  Maryville  •  Morristown  •  Oneida  •  Rogersville  •  Sevierville  •  Sweetwater  •  Wartburg 

 

📌Is your community missing from this list?  Email us at ecd.SmartStart@tn.gov.