Economic Development

Since 1949, agencies of the University of Tennessee (UT) Institute for Public Service (IPS) have linked university-based expertise to help community and business leaders enhance their economic competitiveness.

IPS helps companies, entrepreneurs, organizations, and cities and counties across the state access university expertise, resources, and intellectual assets to help advance the economic well-being of Tennessee and create and retain quality job opportunities. The economic development assistance of IPS is carried out by its agencies, including the Center for Industrial Services (CIS), the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) in partnership with other organizations within and outside the University of Tennessee system.