UT Institute for Public Service tells committee it delivered more than $2 billion in reported economic impact, outlines 2025 plans

Herb Berg, vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, told the state and local government committee on a Feb. 2025 meeting that the institute’s agencies reported more than $2 billion in customer‑reported economic impact in the prior year and outlined program goals and new offerings for 2025.

Berg said the institute’s Center for Industrial Services accounted for roughly $2 billion of the reported impact by helping manufacturers win government contracts, reduce costs and adopt new technology. He said the center served 355 manufacturers last year and expects the unit to achieve $2.5 billion of customer‑reported economic impact in 2025. The center also plans to deliver basic manufacturing training to incarcerated individuals in a 10‑day “manufacturing boot camp” intended to teach entry‑level skills.

The County Technical Assistance Service, or CTAS, provided emergency response and technical support during recent flooding in Upper East Tennessee, Berg said. CTAS consultants assisted mayors, sheriffs, emergency…