County Mayors Meet with Governor Lee to Discuss Key State and Regional Priorities

Mayor Joe Grandy (Washington Co.), Mayor Larry Potter (Johnson Co.), Gov. Bill Lee, Mayor Patty Woodby (Carter Co.), Mayor Rob Mathis (Cocke Co.), Mayor Kevin Morrison (Greene Co.) and Mayor Richard Venable (Sullivan Co.)

FTDD Executive Director Mike Harrison joined county mayors from across the region in Nashville last week to meet with Governor Bill Lee and other state elected officials to discuss key state programs, regional priorities, and ongoing collaboration between local and state governments.

During the meetings, local leaders addressed a range of issues impacting communities across Northeast Tennessee, including infrastructure needs, workforce development, economic development initiatives, broadband expansion, housing availability, and access to state funding and technical assistance. Discussions also included the region’s continued recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, with an emphasis on long-term rebuilding needs and coordination among local, state, and federal partners.

County mayors and FTDD leadership shared updates on current projects and highlighted challenges facing rural communities, particularly the need for sustained investment to support growth, resilience, and quality of life. Leaders emphasized the importance of flexible state programs that allow local governments to address both immediate needs and long-term strategic goals.

“These meetings are an important opportunity to ensure the voices of our communities are heard at the state level,” said Mike Harrison, Executive Director of FTDD. “Strong partnerships with state leadership help us address a wide range of issues from economic development and infrastructure to disaster recovery and ensure our region has the tools needed to move forward.”

FTDD and participating counties expressed appreciation for the state’s continued partnership and support, noting that collaboration remains critical to addressing evolving challenges and positioning the region for long-term success. Local leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with state officials to maximize available resources and strengthen communities across the region.