Local lawmakers gather for ‘Capitol Talk’ at Greater Jackson Chamber

JACKSON, Tenn. — Local lawmakers open the floor to the community for questions about various topics regarding the State of Tennessee.

Tennessee Senator Ed Jackson, along with Representative Johnny Shaw and Representative Chris Todd, gave statements on what is being discussed at the Capitol today in a town hall meeting hosted by the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

Discussions highlighted the establishment of BlueOval in the community.

“56 to 5,800 jobs at the beginning, but this will end up with more than 30,000 jobs,” Representative Shaw said.

Other topics include the goal to obtain additional funding and jet services to upgrade McKellar Sipes, making it the sixth primary airport in the state, as well as keeping hospitals in rural areas of West Tennessee in operation.

And eight new state parks in the state will open.

“That was a huge tourist boost for the State of Tennessee,” Senator Jackson said. “So, what we’re doing now, the Governor and the legislature, we’ve decided we need more state parks and make them first class, make them destinations where people want to go.”

Other questions arose and legislators allowed each other to speak to give multiple viewpoints on the topics.

“A lot of things going on that are positive here in Tennessee,” Jackson said. “We just have to make sure that the decisions we make are right and good.”

This will be the third time the Chamber has hosted a discussion with state representatives and included the community.

“People can come here, which is a central location, and hear what we are saying and what’s going on,” said Shaw. “So I think that it’s great.”

Over the past five years, Tennessee has been ranked as the fastest-growing economy of all 50 states, with Haywood County named the fastest growing county in the state.

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