Partners
Building Tennessee’s Future—Together
At the heart of our work is a deep commitment to collaboration. We partner with public
and private organizations across local, regional, and state levels to drive innovation,
fuel economic growth, and expand opportunity—especially in rural and underserved communities.
From helping small businesses thrive, to supporting faculty-led research and student
entrepreneurship, our impact is amplified by the strength of our partnerships. Whether
you're a government agency, nonprofit, business, or educational institution, we welcome
the opportunity to work together to create lasting value for Tennessee and beyond.
Local Partners
TN Rural Development Fund
The Tennessee Rural Development Fund (TNRDF) is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Cookeville, Tennessee. We work together to build a brighter future for distressed communities through economic impact analysis (using IMPLAN), access to affordable capital, and support for long-term economic growth. TNRDF proudly covers the costs of IMPLAN software used by the Tennessee Center for Rural Innovation (TCRI), enabling the creation of free economic impact analyses for rural communities across the state.
The Biz Foundry
The Biz Foundry is a nonprofit organization working for entrepreneurs and innovators in the Upper Cumberland, offering workspaces, workshops, and events to support entrepreneurs and innovative collaboration. Tools and resources available include education, networking, peer support, mentorship, and access to capital.
Tennessee Small Business Development Center
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) provides services for both existing and start-up small businesses including, but not limited to: business plan development, financial planning assistance, marketing plan development, business growth planning, government contracting guidance, international trade guidance, sources of capital, & social media guidance.
Upper Cumberland Development District
The UCDD is passionate about helping people. Through their wide array of services covering the 14 counties of Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region, they connect individuals, families, businesses, and local officials with resources they need to improve their quality of life.
WCTE Central TN PBS
WCTE is a PBS affiliate serving the Upper Cumberland region for over 40 years. It is a cornerstone of our community, providing enrichment for the region's citizens through opportunities for lifelong learning. WCTE envisions an educated, inclusive, prosperous, safe and healthy region working together through public media.
State Partners
TN Department of Economic and Community Development
TNECD’s Community and Rural Development programs use established funding programs
and new initiatives to connect communities to funding and technical assistance, to
identify and build off their assets, and to advance economic development across the
state.
LaunchTN
LaunchTN is Tennessee's hub for startups and innovation. As a public-private partnership,
they are uniquely positioned to provide direct investment, while also supporting collaboration
among founders, investors, researchers, the private sector and government.
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
In 2023, Tennessee tourism hit a record $30.6 billion in direct visitor spending with
144 million visitors, marking a 6.2% increase and a 125% recovery over pre-pandemic
2019 levels, according to Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist
Development. The department also operates 16 interstate Welcome Centers, offering
travelers free Wi-Fi and toll-free phone access for statewide lodging reservations.
TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development dedicated to advancing workforce development and improving workplace safety across the state. It offers a comprehensive array of services to support both job seekers and employers, including unemployment benefits, job placement assistance, workforce training programs, and workplace safety regulations.
Ready to Partner with us?
This is just a small sample of our valued partners. We’re always eager to build new collaborations—whether public or private—that advance Tennessee’s economic growth. If you’re interested in partnering with us, please get in touch.