University Of Memphis Launches Tennessee Timberworks Collaborative

New initiative aims to link research, industry, and design around mass timber construction in Tennessee.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A clean, modern 3D digital illustration depicting a miniature, stylized timber mill or mass timber fabrication facility, with various engineered wood products and machinery floating on a soft pastel background, representing the potential of the timber industry in Tennessee.A conceptual illustration of Tennessee's timber industry and the potential of mass timber construction to drive economic development and environmental benefits in the state.Memphis Today

The University of Memphis has kicked off a new collaborative called Tennessee Timberworks to study the economic and construction potential of mass timber in the state. The initiative, launched at a Timber Talks symposium, will focus on advancing research across the full timber lifecycle, from forest management to design and community impact. Organizers plan to pilot research projects, convene industry partners, and map how Tennessee's hardwoods, sawmills, and fabricators could feed local mass-timber supply chains.

Why it matters

Tennessee's forest products industry supports around 85,000 jobs and contributes $21 billion annually to the state's economy. However, much of the state's higher-grade hardwood lumber is currently exported. Tennessee Timberworks aims to keep more of this manufacturing and value-added work within the state, while also exploring how mass timber construction could provide environmental benefits by locking away carbon.

The details

The Tennessee Timberworks collaborative was launched by the University of Memphis' Acre Institute and Division of Research and Innovation, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The initiative will focus on research, industry partnerships, and demonstration projects to prove the viability of mass timber construction in Tennessee. Organizers hope to address challenges around workforce training, supply chain mapping, and updating building codes and fire safety standards to enable more wood-based high-rise development.

  • The Timber Talks symposium that kicked off Tennessee Timberworks was held on April 18, 2026.
  • The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture study cited in the article was published prior to 2023.

The players

University of Memphis

A public research university located in Memphis, Tennessee that is leading the Tennessee Timberworks collaborative.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture

A state government agency that is partnering with the University of Memphis on the Tennessee Timberworks initiative.

University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

A research and outreach organization that has published data on Tennessee's forest products industry and its economic impact.

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What’s next

Organizers say Tennessee Timberworks will follow the Timber Talks symposium with workshops and targeted pilot projects focused on workforce training, supply-chain mapping, and demonstration builds that push the boundaries of mass timber construction in Tennessee.

The takeaway

By launching the Tennessee Timberworks collaborative, the University of Memphis is positioning the state to capitalize on the growing national momentum around mass timber construction. If successful, the initiative could help Tennessee retain more of the economic value from its forestry resources, while also exploring the environmental benefits of wood-based building materials.