Governor Lee announces fewest distressed counties in Tennessee history

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has announced Tennessee now has the fewest distressed counties in the state’s history.

After taking office in 2019, Gov. Lee began an administration wide initiative to expand economic development in rural Tennessee. According to officials there are now 8 distressed counties in Tennessee down from 15 at the initiatives start 2019. In addition Gov. Lee prioritized investments for continued economic growth and success in transportation, education and economic development.

Every year since 2007 Appalachian Regional Commission has complied an index of county economic status from every county in the United States. ARC ranks the economic status of a county based on multiple economic factors on a five level scale ranging from distressed to attainment.

In Northeast Tennessee Handcock and Cocke counties are listed as distressed while Washington and Sullivan Counties are showing improvement.

(Photo:Kjrstie,Pixabay)