Responses from the most recent Tennessee Business Leaders Survey were provided in January and February 2026. Similar to last summer, four of five leaders believe there is less than a 50% chance that the U.S. will fall into a recession in the next year. About a quarter of employers who responded to the summer survey said tariffs have affected their business a lot, while almost 50% said they have felt a little effect from tariffs. Nearly half (46.1%) said they are passing on some or all of the tariff costs to customers. Almost two-thirds said they are using artificial intelligence in a way that does not affect their employment levels, while nearly a quarter said they are not using AI at all. Most respondents felt the Tennessee economic outlook was better than the U.S.

See All of the Survey Results