NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's effort to outsource hospitality operations at 11 state parks has failed to draw any interest from private vendors.
Haslam has long cited the operation of park services like restaurants, golf courses, inns and marinas as prime examples of areas where private vendors could do a better - and cheaper - job than state government.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation earlier this month requested $55 million to upgrade facilities at parks before operations could be handed over to private vendors. At least one of them dropped out over uncertainty about whether lawmakers would approve the money.
The parks involved were Cumberland Mountain, David Crockett, Fall Creek Falls, Harrison Bay, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell, Natchez Trace, Paris Landing, Pickwick Landing, Tims Ford and Warriors' Path.