Forward Sumner

05/25/2026

05/13/2026

Forward Sumner was proud to be a part of Tennessee’s first-ever Be Pro Be Proud Draft Day, connecting more than 500 students with over 50 employers for hands-on career exploration and workforce opportunities right here in Tennessee.

Events like this are exactly why workforce development matters - creating real connections between students, education, and industry while helping build a stronger future talent pipeline for Sumner County and beyond. We’re grateful to work alongside incredible partners committed to preparing the next generation for meaningful careers.

04/20/2026

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our friend and board member, Cory Respondek.

Cory was a valued part of Forward Sumner and his presence, insight, and commitment to our mission made a meaningful impact on our work and our community. He brought enthusiasm and heart to every conversation, and he will be deeply missed around our table.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Cory’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

02/17/2026

Forward Sumner is proud to announce our newly installed 2026 Officers and Board of Directors:

Chair Kelley Crecelius, Wilson Bank & Trust
Immediate Past Chair Jim Harrison, CSDG
Incoming Chair Mack Hodges, Hodges Group
Secretary/Treasurer Meredith Hunter, Hville Ind. Board
President/CEO Chris Taylor, Forward Sumner

Board Members:
Paige Brown, Mayor, Gallatin City Government
Justin Coury, CEO, TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center
Nick Cunningham, Regional Consultant, TVA Economic Dev.
Susan Dye, Consultant, Unipres
Stan Fields, Partner, TENN Properties
Amanda Foster, Principal Broker, Southeastern Commercial Properties, Inc.
Johnny Garrett
Rod Harkleroad, CEO, Highpoint Health – Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas
Matt Harris, Chair, Music City Executive Airport
John Puryear, Puryear Farms Nursery & Landscaping
Cory Respondek, President, Squaw Creen Southern Rail
Joe Rewa, GM, Hendersonville Utility District
Jeremy Riggs, Owner, JR Builders
Marla Rye, Executive Director, Workforce Essentials, Inc.
Randy Smith, Owner, Moonlight LLC
Tara Tenorio, Community Dev Reg Manager SE, Meta
John Turner, Director of Sales, Mid TN

Pictured L-R: Jow Rewa, John Puryear, Chris Taylor, Meredith Hunter, Kelley Crecelius, Justin Coury, Matt Harris, Mack Hodges, Tony Gregory, Jim Harrison, Stan Fields, John Turner (we missed those who were unavailable for the group photo).

02/17/2026

The Forward Sumner Economic Partnership Annual Meeting on February 11th brought our members, stakeholders, community and business leaders, and elected officials together for an inspiring meeting focused on growth, collaboration, and the future of Sumner. The highlight of the event was a dynamic discussion panel on the new Carolyn Smith Innovation Center. Panelists shared exciting updates and vision for how the center will drive innovation, workforce development, and opportunity in our region.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversation.

A special thanks to our panelists:

· Dr. Scott Langford, Sumner County Director of Schools

· Dr. Russ Deaton, Tennessee Board of Regents

· Mary Cypress Metz, Senior Vice President of Strategy, TN SCORE

· Jamey Falkenbury, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Apple

The momentum is building, and the future is bright! ✨

📸: Rick Murray

01/02/2026

Happy New Year, and welcome to Moving Forward, beginning with our 2025 year-in-review. In 2026, we’ll share more frequent, streamlined updates to keep you informed and connected.

Progress doesn't happen alone. In 2025, Forward Sumner continued uniting partners to strengthen workforce and career pathways, support economic growth, and advocate with one voice for our community.

This is what moving forward looks like.

Cheers to all of you - and to a happy, healthy, prosperous 2026!

12/26/2025

Policy Watch | New Tennessee Laws Effective January 1, 2026

As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our region informed, Forward Sumner is sharing a brief overview of new Tennessee laws taking effect January 1, 2026, that may impact economic development, workforce initiatives, and community planning across Sumner County and the region.

Population Certification for State Funding (Public Chapter 501)
The Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development will now certify population figures annually in years without a federal census. These certified figures are used to determine population-based state funding allocations for counties and municipalities, making accuracy and awareness increasingly important for local planning and budgeting.

Community Investment Tax Credit Update (Public Chapter 496)
Updates to the Community Investment Tax Credit adjust how credits are calculated for qualified housing and community development investments. The change is intended to improve predictability for financial institutions and support continued investment in housing and neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Regulation (Public Chapter 526 | HB1376/SB1413)
Oversight of hemp-derived cannabinoid products will transition to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The law restructures taxation by repealing the additional retail tax and implementing a new wholesale tax model, while also prohibiting certain cannabinoid products. These changes will affect agricultural producers, retailers, and compliance requirements for businesses operating in this space.

Why This Matters for Our Region
Together, these laws influence business compliance, state revenue distribution, housing investment tools, and emerging industry regulation. Understanding these changes helps communities, employers, and partners make informed decisions as we plan for growth and opportunity in 2026 and beyond.

Forward Sumner will continue to monitor policy developments and share timely insights that support a strong, competitive, and resilient regional economy.

Send a message to learn more

11/27/2025

Forward Sumner wishes you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we are grateful for the people who make our communities strong — our partners, investors, educators, local leaders, employers, and neighbors. We’re grateful for your commitment to moving Sumner County forward and for the work we accomplish together throughout the year.

Wishing you a day filled with rest, connection, and thankfulness.
We look forward to all we’ll continue building together in the months ahead.

11/14/2025

It's easy to talk about the things we love, and we had that opportunity this week with the Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association Sumner County FAM Tour.

FSEP's Chris Taylor participated in the Westmoreland segment of the day with Mayor David Leath, introducing the city's assets to business leaders, site selectors, investors, and partners.

10/29/2025

With the support of several local high school seniors, Forward Sumner was proud to introduce our new Career Pathways Portal at the recent Sumner County 8th Grade Career Fair, held in partnership with and hosted by Volunteer State Community College.

This comprehensive resource provides career exploration tools, pathway guidance, and workforce data to help students discover opportunities that align with their interests and goals. Scan the QR code below to access the portal and take a guided tour to see how students can explore careers, training programs, and available financial aid.

📷 Sumner County Schools, Tennessee