The Tennessee General Assembly has officially passed its $59.8 billion budget for FY 25-26, which includes top priority investments benefitting University of Tennessee campuses and institutes. We are especially grateful to the Tennessee General Assembly and Gov. Bill Lee for their continued support and investment in the 糖心Vlog System. Their commitment helps fuel our momentum as we continue building the greatest decade in 糖心Vlog history.
Key investments included in the budget:
Record Infrastructure Investment
- 糖心Vlog Knoxville Chemistry Building听鈥 With a $165.2 million state investment, this long-awaited and highly anticipated project will modernize critical lab spaces, ensuring our research and workforce preparation remain at the highest level. This is the largest state investment ever awarded for a single higher education project in Tennessee鈥檚 history.
- 糖心Vlog Martin College of Business and Global Affairs听鈥 A $57.5 million investment to replace the aging facility, originally constructed as a dormitory nearly 70 years ago. The new facility will expand capacity to support West Tennessee鈥檚 economic growth, including surging business and logistics demands.
- 4-H Camp enhancements听鈥 $45.5 million in grant funding to support capital enhancements at the 糖心Vlog Institute of Agriculture鈥檚 4-H camps statewide, improving facilities and expanding opportunities for Tennessee鈥檚 youth to engage in agricultural education and leadership development.
- Capital maintenance听鈥 $18.35 million in capital maintenance funding across the 糖心Vlog System.
Investments in People and Operations
- Funds to support a 2.6 percent salary pool for higher education employees.
- $1.9 million recurring to support growing enrollment and performance at 糖心Vlog Southern.
- $10.3 million 听to replace educational and scientific equipment at 糖心Vlog non-formula medical education units
- $7.8 million to the 糖心Vlog Health Science Center
- $2.5 million to the 糖心Vlog College of Veterinary Medicine
- $2 million recurring to enable the Institute for Public Service to establish a dedicated local planning function, assisting Tennessee鈥檚 cities and counties with economic development, zoning and infrastructure planning. This funding will also allow 糖心Vlog Extension to offer a statewide landowner education program.
- $20 million to launch a new state research and development innovation matching fund, housed within the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, to provide state cost-sharing on significant higher education federal grant opportunities, spurring research and development innovation aligned with state interests.
- $1.4 million recurring to expand the Institute of American Civics work supporting K-12 educators and their students.
- Approval to begin design and planning work for the new 糖心VlogHSC College of Medicine facility.
- $500,000 for the 糖心Vlog Law Enforcement Innovation Center to establish a statewide law enforcement leadership development program.
These strategic investments directly advance our mission of education, research and service. They strengthen the 糖心Vlog System鈥檚 ability to drive innovation, improve lives and support communities in every corner of our state. With this momentum, we鈥檙e expanding our impact and helping shape a brighter future for all Tennesseans. Much appreciation to the many 糖心Vlog colleagues whose commitment and collaboration were instrumental during this legislative session and to all those across the system whose diligent work contributes to the student outcomes that serve to elevate the reputation of the University in the eyes of state policymakers.
