SUMMARY: The Tennessee State Funding Board approved $6.8 million in FastTrack incentive grants, with significant amounts allocated to TruGreen, Schneider Electric, and Denso Manufacturing. TruGreen received $2 million for relocating its headquarters to Franklin, creating 135 net jobs with an average wage of $72.39. Schneider Electric received $4 million to add 400 jobs and invest $85 million in Wilson County, offering jobs at $26.53 an hour. Denso was awarded $1.8 million for a $100 million expansion in Athens, expected to create 200 jobs at $31.39/hour. The FastTrack program currently has $165.7 million in uncommitted funds, with 73% already allocated.

Read the full article

The post State Funding Board approves $6.8M in FastTrack grants | Tennessee appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

SUMMARY: Natalie, the general manager of the Knoxville Mass General Store, discussed two community-focused promotions: “Food for the Mountains” and “Share the Warmth.” The former, in partnership with Merrell Shoes, donates $15 to local food banks for every pair of shoes sold, with nearly 300 pairs sold so far. The latter involves collecting gently used coats for local and hurricane-affected communities, partnered with Colombia Sportswear. Community response has been strong, with many eager to help. Additionally, a Roundup campaign supporting the local food bank continues for another week. Natalie invites the community to participate in ongoing initiatives and holiday promotions.

Mast General Store is also running a program called “Share the Warmth.”

Source

SUMMARY: Tennessee’s legislative session is reconsidering school voucher programs, allowing families to use public funds for private education. House Speaker Cameron Sexton emphasized the need for equitable opportunities, particularly for low-income families in failing schools. The revised proposal, the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, aims to expand taxpayer-funded scholarships and improve the application process by adding priority lists based on family income. Critics argue it might divert funds from public schools and lack sufficient oversight for accountability. Despite ongoing discussions about its implications, Sexton believes quality education access is crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty. For further details, visit wbir.com.

School voucher programs are back on the table for Tennessee’s state legislative session.

Source