With single-family housing starts and pending sales of existing homes approaching a 10-year high, Governor Bill Haslam has declared June to be Homeownership Month in Tennessee. "Homeownership strengthens families, encourages residents to take an active role in their neighborhoods and communities, and serves as one of the most important drivers of economic growth in our state," said THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey.

With mortgage interest rates rising fast, Tennessee homebuyers may be in for a pleasant surprise. THDA’s Great Choice mortgage program is very competitively priced. “Encouraging homeownership is tremendously important to the state economically, but the benefits on the individual family level are even more important,” said THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey. “When families own their own homes, they have opportunities to build equity and create wealth for their long-term financial security.

“Tennessee is full of history, and the presidency of James K. Polk is one of our state’s great contributions to our nation’s history. … The special resource study that this legislation would requireis the next step toward preserving President Polk’s home and belongings, and I am glad to have the support of the National Park Service.” – Lamar Alexander

With a severe shortage of affordable rental housing in Tennessee, THDA is issuing a new study on the state’s largest, most effective solution. The report takes an in-depth look at the 28-year history of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) in Tennessee, as well as areas of greatest opportunity in the near future.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Maplehurst Bakeries, LLC, a division of Weston Foods, officials announced the company will invest $102.8 million to build and equip a new 173,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Lebanon.

Tennessee has once again ranked among the best states in economic development by Area Development, a leading publication focused on site selection and facility planning.

First Tennessee Bank N.A. has agreed to pay the United States $212.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly originating and underwriting mortgage loans insured by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that did not meet applicable requirements, the Justice Department announced today. First Tennessee is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee

Two Tennessee men pleaded guilty to using a firearm to kill during a home invasion robbery they conducted on May 7, 2011, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney David Rivera of the Middle District of Tennessee

The goal of this new tool is to improve the inventory of industrial sites and buildings in Tennessee by evaluating potential properties and advising counties on where investment may be most beneficial and what steps may be needed to address issues.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd along with Proper Polymers officials announced today the company will invest $13.1 million to build a new manufacturing facility in Pulaski.