Last week, Gov. Bill Lee presented his 2025 State of the State address, reaffirming Tennessee’s strong commitment to higher education and the University of Tennessee System’s vital role in shaping the state’s future.
Notably, Gov. Lee is proposing historic investments in UT’s infrastructure. Capital improvements have been a top priority this year, and Gov. Lee has included in his budget a record-breaking proposal of more than a quarter of a billion dollars to enhance UT’s facilities. These investments will transform our campuses, elevate educational excellence, and strengthen Tennessee’s workforce for generations to come.
The proposed investments include:
- UT Knoxville Chemistry Building– 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’s history.
- UT Martin College of Business and Global Affairs– A $57.5 million investment will replace the aging facility, originally constructed as a dormitory nearly 70 years ago. The new facility will expand capacity to support West Tennessee’s economic growth, including surging business and logistics demands.
- 4-H Camp enhancements– $46.25 million in grant funding will support capital enhancements at the UT Institute of Agriculture’s 4-H camps statewide, improving facilities and expanding opportunities for Tennessee’s youth to engage in agricultural education and leadership development.
- Capital maintenance– A proposed $18.35 million in capital maintenance funding across the UT System.
Gov. Lee also proposed funding for the following operational and strategic investments, which will help our campuses thrive, expand the UT System’s outreach across the state and provide new resources to support innovation:
- Predictable operating funding for medical units– A $1.14 million recurring investment that will provide funding through a new formula for the UT Health Science Center and the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, bolstering Tennessee’s health care and veterinary workforce.
- UT Institute for Public Service– $2 million in funding that will enable the institute to establish a dedicated local planning function, assisting Tennessee’s cities and counties with economic development, zoning and infrastructure planning. This funding will also allow UT Extension to offer a statewide landowner education program.
- State research and development innovation matching fund– $20 million was proposed to launch a new 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.
- Institute of American Civics at UT Knoxville– A $1.4 million recurring investment was proposed to expand the institute’s activities supporting K-12 educators and their students.
Additionally, Gov. Lee proposed adjustments for higher education faculty and staff salary improvements, as well as outcomes funding through the performance formula.
These proposed investments reflect the positive momentum across the UT System, allowing the university to better serve students, faculty, staff and countless community partners across the state. As UT Advocates, please help us share our gratitude to Gov. Lee and our legislative partners for their support of the UT System.
