Tennessee Code Title 64. Regional Authorities § 64-4-102

(a) It is declared that a clear need exists in rural areas of Tennessee for improved transportation and navigation for the movement and transportation of people, goods and merchandise and for the creation of expanded employment opportunities through the promotion of commerce and industry and with minimal pollution, which require that such rural areas shall have the option of placing the central operation and financing of such rural port and development agencies within rural instrumentalities, and that such instrumentalities have the authority to acquire from the state or other owners real and personal property and to develop, manage and operate the same for economic and industrial development.

(b) It is further declared that port authorities created pursuant to this chapter shall be public and governmental bodies acting as agencies and instrumentalities of the creating and participating counties and that the acquisition, operation, financing and disposal of ports, lands, industrial and other related facilities are declared to be for public and governmental purposes and a matter of public necessity.