Heartland Forward's Center for Investment Readiness Announces State Partnership in Tennessee

Center for Investment Readiness identifies first ever state partner to unlock new opportunities for communities across Tennessee.

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Heartland Forward's Center for Investment Readiness (CIR) is expanding its reach with a new partnership in Tennessee, helping more communities turn local strengths into new economic growth. CIR equips communities with the data, tools and connections they need to attract capital, elevate local opportunities and position themselves for long-term growth. The announcement was made on stage at the Heartland Summit, Heartland Forward's flagship event in Bentonville, Arkansas, before an audience of 350 policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, philanthropists and thought leaders from across the country.

"After piloting the Center for Investment Readiness across 10 communities, we've seen firsthand how the right data, tools and connections can strengthen economic competitiveness," said Angie Cooper, president of Heartland Forward. "Our first statewide partnership is an exciting next step, taking what we've learned and putting it to work for more communities across the heartland, starting in Tennessee."

In Tennessee, Heartland Forward will build on its recent work in Lawrenceburg and Chattanooga, partnering with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to bring CIR to more communities across the state.

"Tennessee is one of the best places in America to do business, and our partnership with Heartland Forward ensures that opportunity continues to reach every Tennessean across our state," said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. "The Center for Investment Readiness gives Tennessee's mid-sized and small communities the data, tools and insights they need to attract investment, amplify their stories and enhance their ability to grow."

The partnership will play a key role in the expansion of CIR's goal to partner with 30 communities to generate $100 million in economic impact by 2030. As a partner, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development will help identify and select communities and serve as a liaison between community leaders and the CIR team's high-level economic support. Additionally, Tennessee will partner with Heartland Forward to host a 2027 event designed to bring investors to heartland communities that are positioned for economic development opportunities, giving those communities a direct line to the capital they need to grow.

"Heartland Forward's Center for Investment Readiness will help drive real, tangible impact for Tennessee families," said Deputy Governor and Commissioner Stuart McWhorter of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. "This public-private partnership will help us better equip communities of all sizes across our state with the data, expertise and capital connection they need to accelerate economic growth."

As a founding partner, JPMorganChase has provided support for the launch and expansion of the Center for Investment Readiness, enabling heartland communities to access insights, technical assistance, and networks that support sustained economic growth. Additional founding funders of the Center for Investment Readiness include Edward Jones, Ford Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.

"The Heartland is critical to America's future, and we want to make it easier for communities across the region to start and grow small businesses, connect more people to good jobs, and help build the industries that will drive economic growth for generations to come," said Tim Berry, Global Head of Corporate Responsibility at JPMorganChase. "Through our work with Heartland Forward and the Center for Investment Readiness, we're helping communities unlock new opportunities for growth and investment. This is part of our broader American Dream Initiative, enabling more people to build a better future for their families and achieve their own American Dream."

Margot Brandenburg, senior program officer for Mission Investments at the Ford Foundation, said "We are proud to support the Center for Investment Readiness' work to empower communities across Tennessee. This initiative provides the critical data, tools, and relationships necessary so people living in America's Heartland can truly thrive and meet the challenges of today."

"Entrepreneurs help communities grow by turning ideas into businesses and jobs," said Yee-Lin Lai, senior program officer for the Walton Family Foundation's Home Region Program. "Through CIR, Heartland Forward is helping communities better understand how well they're supporting entrepreneurs and where there's room to improve, so local leaders can make more informed decisions about where to focus their efforts."

"At Edward Jones, we're honored to stand alongside Heartland Forward to open doors to wealth-building and economic mobility across the heartland through our Financial Futures program," said David Stiffler, Director of Economic Mobility at Edward Jones. "What inspires us most is how Heartland Forward turns data into a story people can see themselves in — one that brings people together and moves them to act. It's rare to find an organization that thinks so boldly, does so purposefully and influences so meaningfully, and we're proud to support this important work."

CIR was launched in ten communities across the heartland: Chattanooga, Tennessee; Enid, Oklahoma; Hutchinson, Kansas; Iowa City, Iowa; Joplin, Missouri; Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; Mt. Sterling, Illinois; Perry, Oklahoma; Rockford, Illinois and Wausau, Wisconsin. The program strengthens connections to capital providers, increases visibility for investment opportunities and levels the playing field for communities in the middle of the country competing with higher-profile markets for investment.

To learn more about CIR and get involved, please visit heartlandforward.org/center-for-investment-readiness.

About Heartland Forward
Heartland Forward is a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank that turns ideas into action for states and local communities. Our mission is to accelerate economic growth, change the narrative about the middle of the country and generate $500 million of economic impact to the heartland by 2030. We do this through applied research, community-driven programs, policy and convenings—focusing on regional competitiveness, talent pipeline and health and wellness.

About the Heartland Summit
The Heartland Summit was co-founded by Olivia and Tom Walton and Steuart Walton in 2018 to kick-start economic growth and help change the narrative about the middle of the country. The Summit is a forum for frank conversation about our shared challenges, creating positive action and strengthening connections.

SOURCE Heartland Forward