Every month Tennessee state and local governments award millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to create long-lasting jobs. More than $2.5 billion in incentives are given to businesses in the state each year, according to one estimate. A partnership of the largest media companies in the state examined those subsidies to answer a simple question: Are they good investments? The data proved elusive. The lack of consistent, accurate records makes it difficult for the public to evaluate whether Tennesseans are getting what they paid for.
