Tennessee Chamber urges sustained, strategic infrastructure investment to preserve competitiveness

NASHVILLE — Josh Brown, CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, briefed the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 10 about the business community’s infrastructure priorities and the economic risks of underinvestment.

Brown said businesses across the state view transportation, energy, water and wastewater as critical to site selection, workforce access and supply‑chain reliability. He warned that ‘‘when infrastructure doesn't keep pace, the impacts are real and measurable’’ — naming congestion, unreliable freight and labor market challenges as examples — and urged policymakers to treat infrastructure spending as an investment, not an expense.

Brown highlighted comparative statistics managers had compiled showing other states investing larger shares of their budgets in transportation and cited the Transportation Modernization Act as an example of recent state investment. He said the chamber has established an Infrastructure Advisory Council to convene stakeholders and support policy development.

During Q&A, members raised a range of questions about funding scale, alternatives and examples of companies deciding not to invest because of infrastructure deficits. Representative (17) pressed Brown on whether large, profitable corporations should pay more — citing Department of Revenue data about corporate tax liabilities — and Brown responded that the chamber supports exploring funding options while defending the role of businesses in creating jobs and economic activity.

Members asked for concrete, written recommendations and a comprehensive plan the committee could review; Brown said the chamber would continue engagement and provide materials to inform legislative decisions.