White County Executive Q8 Candidate Responses

Over the past several weeks, readers have submitted questions they want answered ahead of the 2026 election—and we’ve taken those directly to your County Executive candidates.

Here is your eighth question, and answers from those candidates who chose to respond.

How will you support small businesses?

DENNY WAYNE ROBINSON: Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and supporting them means strengthening our entire community. I will actively promote a “shop local” culture so that our dollars stay in the county and help our neighbors succeed. I will continue to advocate for our local businesses at the county and state levels, working to reduce unnecessary regulations, improve access to resources, and encourage fair policies that help them grow.

I am committed to maintaining open communication with business owners, supporting economic development efforts, and ensuring our local government is a partner, not a barrier, to success

KYLE GOFF: Supporting small businesses starts with understanding that they are the backbone of our local economy. If we want White County to grow, we must create an environment where small businesses can start, stay, and succeed. Around election time, economic development is typically a term that is used, with the goal of brining in new industry. Yes, this is essential, but our first rule should be to take care of what we have first. New industry, especially large commercial chains, will not move into a community if the infrastructure and site readiness is not in place. This is difficult due to the lack of available sites available and ready to meet the demands. This makes the investment in the local businesses even more important. We will focus on creating a pro-business climate. That means reducing unnecessary barriers and making county government a partner.

The more we can market and leverage our strengths, the more people will visit White County and the more stops they will make at local businesses along the way. Our tourism assets are second to none: more caves, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks per square mile than anywhere in North America and 7 state parks within 26 miles. Tourism already generated $14.5 million in direct visitor spending in 2024, and that is with little marketing to bring people here. Through social media and resources such as the chamber of commerce, the executive office will become a linchpin in promoting our area which will bring people in the doors of our businesses. Additionally, promoting our local businesses is crucial. The executive office has a broad marketing reach and using these resources to support is critical. 49% of our workforce leaves the county for work. Supporting small businesses means helping them find and keep employees. That includes working on practical solutions like childcare so people can live and work in the same community. The owners of small businesses are our neighbors and the ones sponsoring our youth sports teams and donating to non-profits, which I have experienced at the Y.

PENNY WHALEY: Small business needs to be supported by promoting local buying, though word of mouth, social media reviews and interacting with public events to promote local small business.

JOE HALLUMS: I want to lead an effort to attract additional industry to White County. We need to create more competitive paying jobs to bring the working residents’ home to White County. As a result of convenience, this will support the small local businesses by increasing the amount of local revenue spent. Currently almost one half of the working residents are employed outside of White County.

I am also interested in supporting efforts in the continuing growth of tourism to White County.

The Main Street Journal - Sparta's 2026 Election Coverage is brought to you by Tennessee Credit.