homestate tennessee
By Ben Everidge for Thomas
Photo Credit: Tennessee Vacation
tennessee at the Crossroads: 10 Issues That Define the volunteer state’s Future
“Tennessee hums between past and possibility, where the sound of progress meets the soul of the South. The question isn’t whether the music will play on, but whether everyone will get to dance.”
- Ben Everidge
Tennessee is hitting a new note in America’s Southern symphony—one of growth, creativity, and competition. From the music studios of Nashville to the mountains of the east and the riverbanks of Memphis, the state’s energy is undeniable. But so are its challenges: affordability, infrastructure, and education lag its booming reputation. The Volunteer State’s next decade will determine whether its prosperity can reach every Tennessean, not just the ones close to the spotlight.
1. Economic Growth and Affordability
Tennessee’s economy is expanding fast, fueled by manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. Yet rapid growth has driven up housing costs, stretched infrastructure, and widened inequality. Balancing growth with affordability will be key to keeping opportunity within reach.
2. Education and Workforce Development
Strong universities and technical programs power Tennessee’s workforce, but teacher shortages and rural school disparities persist. Continued investment in early learning and career pathways will determine whether the state keeps its competitive edge.
3. Health Access and Public Health
With some of the highest hospital closure rates in the South, especially in rural areas, healthcare remains a pressing concern. Medicaid expansion and investment in preventive care could transform both outcomes and economies.
4. Infrastructure, Transit, and Connectivity
Population growth has outpaced public infrastructure. From congested interstates to lagging broadband, modernization will be essential to sustaining Tennessee’s momentum and quality of life.
5. Urban Growth and Rural Renewal
Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are booming, but small towns are struggling to keep pace. Regional planning and rural entrepreneurship could bridge the divide and preserve the state’s cultural balance.
6. Energy, Environment, and Conservation
Tennessee’s rivers, forests, and mountains define its identity. Managing growth while protecting natural resources, especially clean water and public lands, will shape both its economy and its legacy.
7. Crime, Justice, and Community Safety
Urban crime rates and strained law enforcement resources have sparked debate across the state. Investments in prevention, community policing, and rehabilitation could strengthen safety and trust alike.
8. Political Polarization and Independent Leadership
Tennessee’s growing population brings new political diversity, even as polarization deepens. Independent and pragmatic leadership could help steer the state through ideological gridlock and toward practical solutions.
9. Cultural Influence and Creative Economy
Music, arts, and entertainment remain central to Tennessee’s global identity. Expanding creative industries beyond Nashville, into Memphis, Chattanooga, and beyond, could power inclusive growth and innovation.
10. Tourism, Heritage, and Quality of Life
From the Smokies to the Mississippi, Tennessee’s tourism economy continues to thrive. The challenge is ensuring that growth preserves heritage, uplifts local communities, and enhances, rather than erodes, what makes the state special.
The Thomas Take
Tennessee is proof that prosperity and authenticity can coexist if ambition stays anchored in values. The Volunteer State’s next chapter will test whether its success can be shared as widely as its music is heard. If it can strike that balance, Tennessee won’t just stay in tune with America’s growth; it may set the tempo.
To learn more about Tennessee’s issues, read: