March 22, 2020
The Honorable Bill Lee
Governor, State of Tennessee
State Capitol, 1st Floor | 600 Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Blvd. | Nashville, TN 37243
Dear Governor Lee:
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Tennessee Manufacturers Association deeply appreciate your leadership during this difficult time of crisis. We commend your efforts to keep Tennessee safe and businesses operational. Your unwavering decisiveness, strength, and confidence has positioned Tennessee as a national leader as we work through this challenging period.
One of the most important topics for the business community, during this crucial time, is ensuring critical business operations are allowed and that we strike the appropriate balance between public health and the production of critical items. These items contribute in a variety of ways to the overall public health and stabilization of essential products and goods. During this time, businesses, including manufacturers in Tennessee, are working to continue operating responsibly while doing everything possible to assure the health and safety of all employees, their families and our communities.
We understand that every decision you and your team make is thoughtful and deliberate and is aimed at balancing public health and business operations crucial to maintaining essential items in our overall supply chain. Considering input and recommendations from a number of prominent Tennessee based companies and from national business trade associations including the U.S. Chamber, National Association of Manufacturers and the American Chemistry Council, we recommend as you consider crucial business operations, utilizing the guidance identified in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) guidelines. This recent Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response is consistent and ensures the continuance of public health and safety, as well as the economic security of our state.
We support a consistent state standard that works with Tennessee counties, cities and other jurisdictions to establish a uniform crucial business operation standard during this crisis. We are ready and willing to work together to support this effort and appreciate your urgent attention in order to keep businesses, including manufacturers, open and operating safely during this national crisis. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss further.
Sincerely,
Bradley Jackson
President & CEO
Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Tennessee Manufacturers Association
