AGP Executive Report

Nuclear & Power Markets: NuScale’s TVA-linked small modular reactor deal is under the microscope as the company’s agreement structure limits what it can earn unless ENTRA1 chooses to buy—raising questions for Tennessee’s nuclear buildout timeline and costs. Transit & Urban Growth: Nashville’s WeGo ridership climbed to 10.6 million rides in the latest fiscal year, a sign that expanded service and the Journey Pass are moving commuters off the road. AI in Mortgage Lending: Cindie launched an AI workforce tool built for mortgage teams, aiming to automate borrower communications and document workflows while keeping licensed professionals in charge of decisions. Data Centers vs. Communities: A growing backlash to data center power demand is now spilling into automakers’ stationary battery storage plans, with analysts warning the politics could complicate expansion. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded recalled lettuce tied to a cyclospora outbreak to “Class 1” risk and added Tennessee to the affected states list, keeping pressure on grocery supply chains. Workforce & Operations: April Pate, a Nashville payroll leader, highlighted nearly three decades of payroll compliance and automation experience—another reminder that back-office talent is becoming a competitive advantage. Local Business & Community: MeetPure Events rolled out an AI-first, zero-platform-fee ticketing and event system for nonprofits and faith groups.

Labor Market Watch: Tennessee’s unemployment cooled in July, with 93 of 95 counties seeing jobless rates fall or hold steady; Sevier County tied for the state’s lowest rate at 2.8%, alongside Cheatham, Williamson and Dickson. Digital Kids Safety & Consumer Tech: Tennessee is set to receive more than $751M from Meta’s nationwide settlement over harms to children, with new limits on Instagram/Facebook use for under-18s and added parent controls. Business Formation: New business filings hit 24,733 in Q2 2026—near-record levels—while housing prices stabilized after pandemic-era spikes. Healthcare Operations: Ballad Health finished an almost $8M expansion of its Clinical Command Center to speed patient transfers and strengthen regional emergency communications. Local Economy & Preservation: Franklin’s Raise the Roofs fundraiser pushed for long-term protection of Harlinsdale Farm via an endowment and a $250,000 matching grant. Office Real Estate (Out of State, Industry Signal): Esplanade III in Phoenix sold for $86M, underscoring continued investor appetite for top-tier office space. Food Safety: The FDA/CDC widened a cyclosporiasis probe tied to iceberg lettuce to 20 states, adding Tennessee to the list.

Big Tech & Youth Safety: Meta struck a multistate deal with states over Instagram/Facebook child-safety claims, with payments up to about $18B and required platform changes like nighttime limits and removal of harmful features—while Tennessee remains part of the broader fallout as other lawsuits continue. Local Health & Community Support: Mental Health Cooperative named Andrea Westerfield as its new CEO and, with Mother to Mother, will host a Sept. 2 Nashville supplies event for low-income families (diapers, car seats, cribs, food) with registration required. Healthcare Operations: Clearsense CEO Jason Rose will join a KLAS DHIS panel in Utah on turning healthcare data into cost and performance value. Aviation & Business Growth: Atlantic Aviation began construction on its first Nashville-area FBO facility at John C. Tune Airport, targeting completion in late 2027. Transportation Policy: Tennessee transportation officials again warned toll lanes won’t replace sustainable funding as infrastructure needs keep outpacing revenues. Local Governance: Nashville-area zoning amendments and multiple city bid/public notice items were published across the region.

Big Tech & Youth Safety: Meta agreed to pay up to $16.68B and add child-safety limits for Facebook and Instagram after a teen addiction trial, with states pushing for daily usage caps and nighttime blocks. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Lawrence, Kansas released 2025 Vision Zero crash data showing injury crashes stayed steady while fatal crashes were low, and the city is planning more road-safety projects. Energy & Defense: The U.S. Army’s Janus program selected firms to build nuclear microreactors at bases including Fort Campbell, with contracts totaling up to $2.2B. Local Housing Development: Harding Place Retirement Living in Tennessee is moving ahead with an 82-unit expansion after its groundbreaking and first reservations. Transportation & Fuel Costs: GasBuddy reported Tennessee premium and midgrade prices fluctuating in the week ending Aug. 15, with some counties seeing notable lows. Careers & Education: West Tennessee’s “Pathways 2 Possibilities” career expo is putting about 2,000 eighth graders in front of local employers.

Sports Media Deal: Nashville Predators and ViewLift are teaming up on a multi-year direct-to-consumer streaming service for every locally carried Predators game, rolling out across major devices ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. Public Health & Safety: Baxter International recalled a 70% Dextrose Injection lot after stainless steel particles were found in the sterile bag; the company says it has received no adverse event reports. Community & Training: TCAT Northwest’s 4th Annual Fish Fry Fundraiser in Newbern raised over 600 fish plates to support student programs, with Leeward Renewable Energy honored for philanthropy. Local Infrastructure: Columbia’s $520M Duck River intake and treatment plant expansion cleared key state financing approval, but rate hikes up to 20% per year over five years are expected. Aviation/Manufacturing Watch: Cirrus posted strong H1 2026 results, with revenue up to $737M and aircraft sales and services both rising. Tennessee Spotlight: A Dyersburg road closure will shut South Main Street for bridge work through July 30, 2027. Culture: Dolly Parton died at 80 in Nashville after a brief cancer battle, with her Imagination Library and philanthropy again in focus.

Energy & Power Demand: TVA hit record summer power demand and is on track for a nuclear generation record as heat drives electricity use across its seven-state footprint. Data Centers & Grid Planning: TVA approved new data center rates, while Tennessee lawmakers and local communities keep debating whether growth should be slowed or better managed for reliability and costs. Infrastructure & Construction: Tennessee selected a team for the $9.2B I-24 choice lanes project, with major construction contracting moving forward. Manufacturing & Jobs: Dometic is expanding in Sparta, and Hankook is ramping U.S. truck tire production in Tennessee. Agriculture & Food Safety: FDA updated a rice recall tied to potential foreign materials, with Tennessee among distribution states. Livestock Health: A new invasive tick threat is spreading, with Tennessee included in confirmed areas and officials urging farmers and pet owners to watch for infestations. Local Business & Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker shows multiple Tennessee cities ranking high for scam reports in July, including Nashville and Clarksville. Workforce & Education: MTSU’s actuarial science program earned top global recognition and is expanding pathways for students. Public Safety Tech: Knox County’s mayor questioned a Flock Safety camera contract’s validity, putting more than 140 cameras in limbo. Entertainment & Culture: Dolly Parton died at 80 in Nashville, with tributes highlighting her Tennessee roots, business empire, and long-running philanthropy.

Data Centers & Energy Policy: TVA approved new data center rates and a 10% rate spike aimed at protecting household rate payers, while lawmakers and communities keep pushing back over power demand and long-term impacts. Local Economy & Jobs: Starbucks plans another round of corporate layoffs tied to its Seattle HQ, with about 120 workers losing jobs after declining relocation to Nashville as the company expands its Music City footprint. Nuclear & Construction: TRISO-X’s TX-1 advanced nuclear fuel fabrication facility in Oak Ridge moved into the next construction phase, with auxiliary buildings and interior buildout underway as the plant targets commercial TRISO fuel production. Healthcare M&A: Radiology Partners agreed to acquire Everlight Radiology, expanding global teleradiology reach by combining Everlight’s international network with RP’s vRad platform. Education & Workforce: A new report says Tennessee is among the most expensive Southern states for daycare, highlighting how childcare costs strain household budgets. Sports & Culture: Nike and the NFL extend the “Rivalries” uniform program for 2026 with eight new teams, including Tennessee’s Titans. Business & Tech: Gen Xers are expressing anxiety about Social Security and retirement savings as pensions fade and 401(k)s leave many exposed.

TVA & Energy Policy: TVA approved new data-center power rates, with an average ~10% billing increase for centers, while Tennessee lawmakers and communities push back over water, grid strain, and who pays for upgrades. Local Infrastructure & Parks: Calhoun and Dunlap each won nearly $20M in state parks/trails funding for projects like the Calhoun Blueway access and a Dunlap Pump Track Park. Manufacturing & Jobs: Dometic is expanding in Sparta, and White County manufacturing growth is set to add 90+ jobs; meanwhile, Hankook ramps up U.S. truck tire production in Tennessee. Business & Labor: Starbucks plans layoffs tied to its Seattle HQ, including about 120 roles offered relocation to Nashville; AutoZone set its Q4 earnings call for Sept. 22. Regulatory/Health Tech: Revance named Melissa O’Connor SVP, Global Regulatory, as the aesthetics firm expands filings worldwide. Community & Safety: Metro Nashville council member Jacob Kupin is stepping in after Google Fiber construction hurt a Salemtown deli business, highlighting enforcement limits for small businesses. Agriculture: USDA crop conditions slipped for corn, soybeans and wheat, with corn showing the biggest drop. Sports & Talent Pipeline: Tennessee prep football rankings updated after Week 1, and Stillman College announced a return of its football program after more than a decade.

Nuclear & Manufacturing: TRISO-X says it has started the next phase of construction at its Oak Ridge TRISO fuel fabrication facility, moving into auxiliary buildings, interior buildout and equipment installation—aimed at bringing the TX-1 plant toward operation. Retail & Real Estate: Chattanooga’s The Bend is getting a $350 million retail and residential district, with construction slated for 2027 and a promise of 1,000+ jobs and $100M+ in sales. Agriculture Policy: A University of Tennessee and University of Arkansas study looks at how a federal feral hog program is performing, using crop insurance claims to compare damage in active vs. non-active counties. Energy & Industry: Tennessee’s nuclear push stays in focus as the state looks to lead again after helping usher in the nuclear age. Tech & Automation: LG is accelerating its robotics collaboration with Nvidia, using its data factory approach to speed commercialization. Community & Food Systems: Rutherford County’s producer-only farmers market adds an afternoon/evening Tuesday run with free bingo at Lane Agri-Park. Local Economy Watch: Clarksville’s pet adoption roundup highlights animals available through county rescues and shelters.

Energy & Infrastructure: TVA’s latest data-center power rate plan is back in focus as the agency moves to charge more for AI-heavy loads, with public debate centered on how much household bills could rise. Local Development: Clarksville-area residents are pushing back on the Exit 8 “The Reserve at Hickory Wild” subdivision, citing stormwater drainage and traffic impacts while the county points to a $5 million stormwater fix. Manufacturing/Jobs: Dometic is expanding manufacturing operations in Sparta, Tennessee, signaling more production capacity and hiring momentum. Real Estate & Growth: Chattanooga’s “The Bend” is set for a $350M retail and residential district, adding to the region’s push to attract new businesses and residents. Public Safety & Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Tennessee cities remain heavily targeted, with Memphis and Nashville leading the state for reported scams in July. Business Spotlight: A new Alpaca Threads shop in Alexandria is turning Smith County fiber into retail products, from farm-to-store knit goods.

Data Centers & Air Quality: xAI’s Memphis-area Colossus supercomputer is drawing fresh backlash after claims it used dozens of unpermitted gas turbines, with civil rights and environmental groups alleging Clean Air Act violations and neighborhood pollution. State Budget & Hemp: Tennessee’s ban on THCA-linked hemp products is already hitting tax collections, with projections pointing to a $110M shortfall and renewed calls to legalize marijuana “for potholes.” Energy Infrastructure: TVA’s $800M turbine plant is reported at 25% completion, while rate changes tied to data centers are leaving residents and businesses asking what costs will rise. Manufacturing & Jobs: Dometic is expanding manufacturing in Sparta, and LG Energy Solution continues battery buildouts, including new production at its Lansing operations. Local Business & Health: A Nashville hospital mix-up left multiple people paralyzed, and radiology staffing changes include a new radiologist at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. Sports & Local Culture: Nashville SC keeps piling up points with stoppage-time heroics, while Chattanooga breweries are leaning into bike nights for community turnout.

Music Industry: Nashville music manager Dale Morris, who helped launch Alabama and supercharge Kenny Chesney’s rise, has died at 89, marking the end of an era in country’s business side. Entertainment & Labor Protections: Anna Paquin renewed calls for better safeguards for child performers after Hayden Panettiere’s death, while Panettiere’s estranged mother Lesley Vogel continued disputing details of the case and criticizing media coverage. Local Development: Urban Story Ventures announced a $350 million retail-and-residential district for Chattanooga’s “The Bend,” targeting a 2027 start and aiming to bring a more walkable, mixed-use downtown. Energy & Utilities: Severe storms pushed diesel-contaminated soil into a Campbell County aquifer, leaving some Caryville-Jacksboro Utility District customers with diesel-smelling tap water as crews flush and test. Business & Jobs: Starbucks filed WARN notices tied to corporate restructuring, including layoffs connected to its Nashville expansion. Consumer Watch: Gas prices dipped in parts of Tennessee, with multiple counties reporting lower diesel or regular rates in the week ending Aug. 15.

TVA Data Center Rate Fight: TVA’s board approved a new data-center power rate and added charges aimed at stopping “subsidies,” with officials saying the change should keep costs from spilling onto household bills. Local Energy Costs: The move follows public pressure over rising utility bills as data centers expand across the region. Tennessee Jobs Snapshot: Tennessee’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in July, the lowest in two years, with job gains led by healthcare and durable goods manufacturing. State Revenue Watch: July tax collections hit $2.2 billion, beating budget by $418.2 million, driven by sales tax and franchise/excise receipts. Workforce & Agriculture: A Tennessee Department of Agriculture push highlights “Hunters for Hunger,” aiming to route donated venison to food banks. Public Safety: A fatal I-24 East crash near the Rutherford-Davidson line killed a 26-year-old, with speed and lane failure cited. Education Pathways: Tennessee will place high-performing seventh graders into Algebra I in 2027–2028, expanding advanced math access. Community & Culture: Tennessee Sports Writers Association released preseason football rankings across classifications.

Energy & Industry: TVA approved a new data-center power rate, setting up an average ~10% billing increase for centers—while groups pressed for a longer-term energy plan at the utility’s board meeting. Local Business: A Nashville deli owner says Google Fiber construction outside Big Al’s Deli cost him about $15,000 and dragged on for weeks longer than promised, sparking calls for better communication and compensation. Healthcare Ops: Tennessee Oncology’s breast cancer experts discuss how TROP2-directed antibody-drug conjugates are moving into first-line metastatic TNBC care, shifting treatment planning and monitoring needs. Workforce & Growth: White County manufacturing expansion is adding 90+ jobs, and other Tennessee-area industry moves highlight continued hiring demand. Public Safety Tech: Flock Safety faces canceled contracts and backlash over license-plate reader concerns, as municipalities reconsider surveillance partnerships. Sports (Nashville/Tennessee ties): Seahawks WR Jake Bobo left practice vs. the Titans with what appears to be a long-term knee injury.

Energy & Power Rates: TVA approved a new, higher power rate for data centers, with reports pointing to about a 10% average billing increase—raising new cost questions for AI-heavy projects. Data Centers & Water: A viral “pee on computers” stunt claims recycled wastewater (including urine after treatment) is already used to cool servers, fueling a fresh round of public debate over rural development and utilities. Local Governance & Housing/Jobs: In Nashville, HUD Secretary Scott Turner touted Opportunity Zones 2.0, saying Tennessee has created thousands of jobs and homes since 2017 and that more tracts could be designated. Food Safety: Publix’s GreenWise frozen blueberry recall was upgraded to the FDA’s highest-risk Class I after an E. coli outbreak tied to multiple states. Workforce & Education: Tennessee Board of Regents honored Rock Island Partners for philanthropy supporting TCAT-McMinnville’s truck driving training. Healthcare Expansion: Tennessee Fertility Institute announced a patient services alliance with Vanderbilt Health Fertility Clinic to expand IVF cycle lab and clinical coordination. Economy Watch: Tennessee’s unemployment rate fell to 3.4% (two-year low), with job gains led by healthcare and durable goods manufacturing. Agriculture: Cattlemen’s Field Day is set for Sept. 26 at the Warren County Fairgrounds with pasture weed control and market updates.

TVA Data-Center Rates: TVA’s board approved a new data-center wholesale rate class, starting Oct. 1, with an estimated ~10% billing increase to keep grid and infrastructure costs from landing on households; the change also adds capacity-commitment charges for new builds. I-24 Choice Lanes & Local Impacts: Tennessee selected Drive-TN for the $9.2B I-24 choice lanes plan, and the route avoids demolishing South Nashville’s Pan-Asia Supermarket and other nearby sites. Energy Demand Pressure: A new report highlights how AI data centers are driving electricity demand growth fast enough to reshape utility planning nationwide, raising concerns about power-grid strain and rate impacts. Healthcare Construction: Ballad Health broke ground on the new Unicoi County Hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the prior facility, aiming to restore inpatient care close to home. Aerospace Education Expansion: Franklin Special District won a $18,491 TDOT Aeronautics grant to expand its middle-school aerospace program with a second Redbird LD simulator configuration. Business Restructuring: Starbucks filed WARN notices for 200+ corporate job cuts tied to restructuring, including roles tied to store design and development and employees declining relocation to Nashville. Manufacturing & Growth: Imagen Technologies said it’s expanding leadership as its radiology roster hits 200, scaling specialty programs across multiple imaging areas. Public Safety & Fraud: A Fed order bans a former Regions Bank employee in a check-fraud scheme tied to about $396,000 in losses, underscoring insider risk for financial institutions.