In Touch with Tennessee

Data centers are showing up as plain warehouse buildings. We sit down with Tom Brashear (County Technical Assistance Service), Gabe Looney (CTAS), and Josh Suddath (UT Center for Local Planning) to unpack what a data center is, why communities are hearing so much about them now, and what local governments can realistically do.

What does it really take for a town to create its own police department, and when does it make sense to do it? We sit down with MTAS police management consultants David Moore and Jeff Stiles, plus Thompson Station Town Administrator Micah Wood, to walk through the real-world planning behind launching municipal law enforcement in Tennessee.

A single blurry photo can unravel a case, and a “perfect” AI-enhanced image can be even more dangerous. We sit down with Jason Jones, training specialist with the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center, to unpack what modern forensic science really looks like when the goal is evidence that holds up in court.

We sit down with Danny Norman, Advanced Manufacturing Consultant with the Center for Industrial Services at the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, to talk about what it really takes to put artificial intelligence to work on the factory floor without getting lost in hype.

We dig into the AI for manufacturing training delivered with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and why the first win is often basic but powerful: learning how to prompt well. From there, we explore a practical use case many plants feel every day, shift planning. 

Tennessee is growing fast, and the pace of change is showing up in the most tangible way possible: land. New research shared with state and local leaders shows massive conversion of agricultural and forestry acres into development, with losses continuing at a striking daily rate. 

We sit down with the partners and class members behind the Tennessee Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program (TAFLIP), a new 18‑month, statewide initiative built to equip working producers and industry pros with the skills and networks to lead well beyond their operations.

A five‑week academy that changes careers—and cultures—doesn’t happen by accident. We sit down with Jeff Lindsay and Dereck Stewart from the Law Enforcement Innovation Center to unpack how the Southeastern Leadership Academy (SELA) helps mid‑level managers become clear communicators, thoughtful decision‑makers and credible leaders at every rank. From the program’s evolution beyond SECLA to its largest class yet, the story is about growth with purpose: stronger people, safer operations, and communities that feel the difference.

They're in your pocket, on your wrist, powering your car, and hiding in dozens of devices throughout your home and workplace. Lithium-ion batteries have silently revolutionized modern life, but their convenience masks significant danger that most people remain completely unaware of.

In this eye-opening discussion, safety experts from across the University of Tennessee system reveal why these energy-dense power sources demand our attention and respect.

The workplace is changing at breakneck speed, and Tennessee is actively responding to these shifts through innovative workforce development initiatives. This eye-opening conversation with workforce experts Tim Waldo and Autumn Derrick from the University of Tennessee's Center for Industrial Services reveals both encouraging progress and persistent challenges in our evolving labor market.

Contact Tim: [email protected]
Contact Autumn: [email protected]

For more information:

https://cis.tennessee.edu/economic-development

The Tennessee Language Center and Nashville Mayor's Office have pioneered an approach to civic communication that's transforming how local government connects with all residents. Through professional simultaneous interpretation, Mayor Freddie O'Connell's State of Metro addresses have reached over 6,000 Spanish-speaking Nashvillians who might otherwise miss critical information about property taxes, public safety initiatives, and the city's $3 billion transit improvement program.