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NASHVILLE – Today, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security hosted the “Three Stars of Tennessee Award” and First Responder Recognition Ceremony. The Three Stars of Tennessee Award honors public servants who have sacrificed their lives or suffered a career-ending injury in the line of duty. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long, Tennessee State Senator Becky Massey (Knoxville), and Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Director Greg Mays joined recipients, family members, and agency representatives to honor 14 recipients with the “Three Stars of Tennessee Award.”

KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will permanently close the West Knox Driver Services Center, located at 430 Montbrook Lane in Knoxville, at 5:00 p.m. September 14. A new Driver Services Center located at 209 Gore Road SW in Knoxville will open on September 19. Regular business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Today, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), in partnership with Governor Bill Lee and the Families First Community Advisory Board, recognized the 7 collaborative groups selected for $175 million in Implementation Grants to further the Department’s vision of fundamentally changing the way low-income families are served in Tennessee.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter announced today that Ebbtide Holdings, LLC doing business as TN Composites will invest $23.1 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Dickson County over the next five years. Through this investment, TN Composites expects to create up to 132 jobs at its existing White Bluff facility over this same period.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) announces the application dates for this year’s Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) cost share program are Oct. 1-7, 2022. Producers fulfill requirements to defray the costs of strategic investments in their operations. The goal is to increase profitability and efficiency while promoting long-term investments in Tennessee’s agriculture.

NASHVILLE --- On September 1, Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Jeff Long swore in the newest members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). THP cadet class 922 is composed of prior certified law enforcement officers. Of the nine graduates, five were prior out-of-state troopers/state police (Alaska, California, two from Louisiana, and Washington). The other graduates were former THP troopers who rejoined the Tennessee Highway Patrol. THP cadet class 922 completed five weeks of specialized training, which builds upon their training and experience received as prior law enforcement officers. The new troopers will continue training with troopers who are classified as field training officers.

The Tennessee State Museum is the recipient of the 2022 Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Silver Award in the over $100,000 budget category for its current exhibition, "Painting the Smokies: Art, Community, and the Making of a National Park." The SEMC Exhibition Competition showcases the best in our profession and provides benchmarks for regional exhibition efforts in southeastern museums.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter and Piedmont Lithium officials announced today the company will invest $582 million to establish a lithium hydroxide processing, refining and manufacturing facility in Southeast Tennessee.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 30, 2022) – Tennessee tourism generated $24.2 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2021, according to recently released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. It also marks the largest visitor spending nationally in Tennessee’s history. Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. Travel and tourism is also the third largest employer in the state.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter and Symmco Inc. officials announced today the company will invest $13.1 million to expand and locate new manufacturing operations in Tier 4, at-risk Hawkins County.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry provides communities, groups, and organizations with technical and financial assistance. This year, the division is offering two direct grant programs through the state and is promoting a new federal program. State programs include the Volunteer Fire Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service is offering a Community Wildfire Defense grant.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released a video update on key actions the Lee administration has taken to enhance school safety following Executive Order 97, which directed state agencies to engage parents, increase transparency and collaborate with local law enforcement and school districts.