The Volunteer Roadmap

Does Having a Job Make You Healthier? | Johnson City

The greatest predictor of poor health in America isn't genetics or lifestyle… It's poverty. And what causes poverty? Two things: lack of jobs and lack of education. Which means the conversation we should be having about healthcare in Tennessee isn't just about doctors and hospitals - it's about how we create good jobs, especially in our rural communities. In this episode I'm sitting down with Dr. Randy Wykoff, Founding Dean of ETSU's College of Public Health, to talk about how economic development and public health are inseparable. After 20 years serving Central Appalachia, Randy has a clear view of what Tennessee gets right, what we're missing, and what it would take to actually move the needle. In this episode, Dr. Wykoff shares: * Why creating jobs in rural communities would do more for public health than almost anything else * Why investing in public health actually saves taxpayer money * Why public health isn't political (and what we lose when we treat it that way) Tennessee has both some of the richest and poorest counties in America. We have the resources - we just have to get them to the people who need them. Have a Tennessee story worth mapping out? Reach out at archabouttn.com

Everybody’s Moving Here… Now What?

What happens when your population increases by over 30% in 10 years and the median home price is over $900,000? It sounds like a success story (and it is), but at the same time the teachers, first responders, and entry-level workers who keep this community running can't afford to live where they work. In this episode I'm discussing the housing challenges that come with being Tennessee's biggest success story with Bo Patten, the CEO of the Williamson County Association of Realtors. WCAR’s 2,800 members aren't just selling houses - they're on the front lines of a housing market that's growing faster than anyone expected. In this episode, Bo shares: * How realtors went from selling houses to shaping housing policy in Franklin * Why as many people commute INTO Williamson County as leave it (it's not the bedroom community people think it is) * How Williamson County plans to address a projected shortage of nearly 10,000 housing units by 2030 The communities that thrive long-term aren't the ones that grow the fastest. They're the ones that plan for it. Have a Tennessee story worth mapping out? Reach out at archabouttn.com [http://archabouttn.com]

Talent Not Incentives: How Nashville Built an $8 Billion Entertainment Industry

Most people think Tennessee's entertainment industry is just Nashville honky-tonks and country music. It's actually an $8 billion business keeping your taxes low. Bob Raines runs the Tennessee Entertainment Commission - the state agency that oversees film, TV, and music. The industry he manages generates $8 billion in economic activity across Tennessee, which brings over $400 million in tax revenue into the state every year. That money helps keep Tennessee a low-tax state.  Tennessee didn't throw massive incentive programs at entertainment companies. We built something better - a talent ecosystem that keeps growing on its own. In this episode, we discuss: * Why Bob would rather be a "second tier" market than #1 (and why it’s a smarter play long-term) * How Tennessee attracts more talent than states spending twice as much on incentives * Why an eight-year degree isn't needed to be successful in entertainment Entertainment in Tennessee isn't just Nashville's country music scene. It's jobs, tax revenue, and reasons for people to stay, all across the state. Have a Tennessee story worth mapping out? Reach out at archabouttn.com [http://archabouttn.com]

How Lawrenceburg Turned 'Distressed' Into 'Endless Opportunity’

Ten years ago, Lawrence County was on Tennessee's distressed counties list. Today, they're one of the most exciting areas in the state. New investment coming in every month, 1,500 jobs added since 2020, and downtown is filled with restaurants, retailers, and Airbnbs. So… what changed? They started seeing their limitations as opportunities. Ryan Egly is the President & CEO of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. Growing up he was told if he wanted to be successful, he'd have to leave Lawrenceburg. Instead of following that advice, he found a different solution. In this episode, we're discussing: * How quantifying work ethic (not just credentials) became their secret weapon for recruiting businesses * Why keeping everything under one roof lets a 50,000-person county compete with 100,000+ markets * How to build education partnerships that actually serve your local workforce needs You already have what you need. You just have to see it differently. Have a Tennessee story worth mapping out? Reach out at archabouttn.com

From Variable Debt to Accelerated Development | Cleveland

Cleveland is thriving. New restaurants, full parking lots, major development happening everywhere. But six years ago, the city was operating with 65% variable debt - which meant they couldn't predict their budget, couldn't plan accurately, and couldn't attract the kind of investment they needed. The first thing Mayor Kevin Brooks did? The unsexy work. He got Cleveland's debt under control (from 65% variable to 97% fixed) and created the foundation for everything else. Kevin Brooks doesn't call himself a politician. He's a public servant who's been serving Cleveland since he was a college student giving downtown historical tours. In this episode, he shares: * Why getting your financial house in order has to come first * How fixing the debt allowed Cleveland to budget taxpayer money for real infrastructure improvements * How regional collaboration drives growth, even across party lines When you fix the foundation first, it makes everything else a little bit easier. Have a Tennessee story worth mapping out? Reach out at archabouttn.com [http://archabouttn.com]