By A. J. Kaufman, Managing Editor
Alongside First Lady Maria Lee, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee made his way around the Appalachian Highlands to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. The couple aimed to visit all 95 counties before Independence Day and, in late May, headed to Mountain City and then visited the original Isaiah 117 House in Elizabethton.
Isiah 117 House Founder/Development Director Corey Paulson reflected on Lee’s first visit to the location more than eight years ago before he was governor.
“You and Maria stood on that landing out there with tears in your eyes,” Paulson said in a full living room with the Lees beside him. “And that still gets me, because there was no photo op. You prayed over this house and what it might be. And here you are eight years later. This house has now served over 900 children.”
In 2019, Lee said he wanted Isaiah Houses to be the new standard for foster care across Tennessee. Isaiah 117 House works alongside the Department of Children’s Services to provide support to foster children who have been removed from their homes. There are now more than 50 houses across more than 13 states.
During his 10 minutes of remarks to roughly 50 people — including Carter County Mayor Patty Woody, public officials and Isaiah House staff — the governor reflected on not only the non-profit but America’s upcoming Semiquincentennial.
“I am so proud that this was born right here on this street, and it’s radiating all across America,” Lee said. “That’s an example of what Tennessee is, what we do, and the heart behind what so many Tennesseans are all about; the principles and the values that make us different from other states. I am fully convinced of that after doing this for eight years. We are different, and places like this are the perfect example of that.”
He added that his visits have impressed upon him many ideals.
“It’s been an incredible opportunity for us,” he explained. “And the goal is to pull together people in a community and say we ought to remind ourselves every now and then that we live in the greatest country in the world. And there is no doubt about that. We’re not a perfect country. We’re on a path to becoming a more perfect union. People have disagreements about this, that or the other. But we ought to stop every now and then and set all that aside and say it is the greatest country in the world. We are about to be 250 years old.”
Speaking about the region’s perseverance following Hurricane Helene, Lee also expressed gratitude.
“When I think about what’s different about Tennessee, and why we are a place that everybody wants to live now — and they’re coming from all over this country — is because we do have something different here, and it’s the people,” he mentioned. “They (the storm’s aftermath) were tragic and terrible, but it was bittersweet, because I got to see the sweetness of what it is when a community that is unique comes together in ways that this one did. So, we have a lot of lifelong memories from this county, these people and this community, and Maria and I are grateful for that.”
Just over a week later, Lee and the First Lady returned to Northeast Tennessee to wrap up the America 250 tour in Unicoi County. On Statehood Day, the governor stood just south of Erwin to help unveil signage that kicked off a new statewide “Welcome to Tennessee” program.
Joined by Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Will Reid, TDOT employees and other regional leaders at the Unicoi County Welcome Center off Interstate 26, the event dedicated the first sign of 16 across the Volunteer State to replace existing welcome signs. The unveiling marked the first major redesign of Tennessee’s welcome signs in more than three decades.
“Every day, thousands of people cross our state line for the first time — families on vacation, new residents seeking opportunity and visitors who are about to discover what makes Tennessee special,” Lee remarked. “These new welcome signs reflect the pride we have in our home and Tennessee’s Volunteer Spirit that says, ‘we’re glad you’re here.’”
After the Elizabethton event, the Business Journal of Tri-Cities spoke exclusively to Gov. Lee with only a few months remaining in his term. We asked about his legacy and accomplishments, particularly on the business and economic development side.
“What we have learned — because we traveled around the country and around the world — talking to business leaders about investing in Tennessee, because we know when companies invest here, jobs are created, and the lives of Tennesseans are improved,” Lee explained to Managing Editor A.J. Kaufman. “We ask them, what matters to you most about a state? Because we want to be a business-friendly environment, and I did run a business for 25 years. I know that government can either be a friend or a foe; so, we ask, how can we be more friendly? Tax structures are important, and we are a very low tax state, and businesses recognize that.”
The governor said once in office more than seven years ago, he immediately began investing in vocational, technical and agricultural education “beyond what we traditionally were doing.” The administration expanded that to school CTE programs, high school grants, gave a billion dollars to TCATs that created 10,000 more workers a year and made other investments all over the state.
“We have very much focused on how we can be a state that delivers skilled workers for the businesses that want to come here. I think it’s made all the difference,” Lee said. “We know of businesses that have specifically come because of our strategy for creating workforce, and I think it’s one of the things that has moved the needle. I’m proud that Tennessee’s become one of the most attractive states for business investment, and you see it all over the state.”
The governor noted that 91 of the Volunteer State’s 95 counties had population growth last year.
“That means there is more opportunity here,” he said. “And at the end of the day, it’s statistics and economics and investments, but it’s a better way of life for Tennesseans, and that’s what matters to me most.”
