Highlands Economic Partnership

06/03/2026

This quarter, our Steering Committee gathered to receive exciting updates on economic development efforts across the Highlands region. We heard from our county and business partners on current projects, recent successes, and opportunities on the horizon.

Special updates were given by two companies expanding into our community, RadLife EV and Valinor Enterprises, as they shared their plans and vision for growth in the Upper Cumberland.

A highlight of the meeting was the opportunity to test ride RadLife EV’s electric bikes right on-site, giving attendees a firsthand look at one of the innovative products soon to be manufactured in our region.

Thank you to Portobello America for hosting us and allowing us to tour your amazing facility! and to all of our partners who continue working together to strengthen our economy and create opportunities throughout the Highlands.

05/13/2026

Putnam County Career & Technical Education had so much to celebrate last night at the 2026 CTE Advisory Council Banquet!
Honorees from Cookeville, Upperman, VITAL, Monterey, and White Plains Academy represented a wide range of programs — from criminal justice and nursing to engineering and ag science. We couldn't be more proud of these students and excited for what lies ahead for them and our community!
Congratulations to all!

05/13/2026

Yesterday, we had the privilege of bringing together our education and industry partners for an Advanced Manufacturing Roundtable.

We were joined by special guest Matthew Spinella- Director of Workforce Partnerships and Experiences with the TN Department of Education, who shared invaluable insight on work-based learning from the state's perspective. From the framework behind the program to what it means for employers and learners alike, Matthew gave our partners a clear picture of where we're headed, and the chance to ask the questions that matter most to them.

Roundtables like this one are at the heart of what we do. When education and industry sit at the same table, real progress happens.

Thank you to Matthew for his time and expertise, and to all of our partners who showed up ready to engage. We're excited about what's ahead for advanced manufacturing and education in our region!

05/12/2026

⛵️This Thursday! Join us for Business After Hours at Hurricane Marina from 4:30-6:30pm, a relaxed lakeside evening with great people, light bites, and adult beverages right by the water.

Come catch up with familiar faces and make new connections. Attendees also get exclusive discounts on boat rentals and Hurricane Marina Boat Club memberships!

📍1287 Floating Mill Rd., Silver Point, TN 38582

Members $15 | Non-Members $25.
Register today with the link in the comments!

05/12/2026

We were thrilled to partner with Livingston Academy Career and Technical Education to celebrate their CTE students and all they’ve accomplished this school year!
CTE banquets are just one of the many ways our community and region show that career exploration and education are truly fundamental pillars of our future.
We’re so grateful to collaborate with Overton County and Livingston Academy on such a meaningful event. 🎉

05/08/2026

A big thank you to Sycamore Elementary School for allowing us to come distribute our coloring book "Oh the Places You Could Work" to their first graders at our third stop of the year! We enjoyed getting to read and color with the students while sparking creativity and awareness of future career possibilities in the Upper Cumberland!
Another big thank you to Jennifer and Andrea from Portobello America for taking the time to attend this event and read from the books to the students. We appreciate you!

05/05/2026

Our second stop of the year, and the excitement keeps growing!

We had a wonderful time visiting the first graders at Northeast Elementary School for our second distribution of "Oh the Places You Could Work"- a coloring book designed to spark big dreams in little minds.

Through the Highlands Economic Partnership, we're on a mission to make sure the next generation of workers in the Highlands Region grows up knowing just how many incredible career paths are waiting for them, and a coloring book is the perfect place to start!

Stay tuned as we make our way to even more schools and distribute coloring books to even more curious students across the region!

05/01/2026

Today we are excited to welcome RadLife EV/Life EV to the Highlands region. This electric bike manufacturer will call Algood, TN home and create 280 jobs over the next five years.

For the full story, read here:

An electric bicycle manufacturer is expected to bring 280 jobs to Algood.Algood Mayor Lisa Chapman-Fowler announced at Algood City Hall on Friday that electric bicycle manufacturer Rad Life Mobility will operate out of a building on Burton Branch Road. The company is a subsidiary of Life Electric Ve...

04/29/2026

Investing in the next generation starts early!

We had the best time visiting the first graders at Jere Whitson Elementary School for our first coloring book distribution of the year! Each student went home with a copy of “Oh the Places You Could Work”- a coloring book designed to spark big dreams in little minds.

Through The Highlands Economic Partnership, this initiative is all about introducing elementary-aged students to the wide world of careers and industries right here in the Highlands Region in a way that’s colorful, creative, and fun!

This is just the beginning! Stay tuned as we visit more schools across the region and spark curiosity in even more students.

04/22/2026

We had the pleasure of working with the leadership team at Wildwood Resort and Marina for a values-focused development workshop directed toward communication, core values, and building trust within their team. Watching this group strengthen their connections and grow toward their leadership goals is something we don't take for granted, and it's truly an honor to be part of their journey.