Tennessee Dept of Economic & Community Development Experience High Volume. Driving jobs, investment & growth across the Volunteer State.
Tennessee
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The Third Saturday in October brought the noise. 🔊 🙌
During the @Vol_Football vs. Alabama game, Neyland Stadium reached a record-shattering 130.3 decibels, the loudest scientifically verified crowd noise in college football.
Tennessee knows how to turn up the volume. That’s what #SoundsLikeTN.
@UTKnoxville
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We brought home not one, but two 2026 @IEDCtweets Excellence in Economic Development Awards this week! 🏆
🥇 Gold | Disaster Recovery Initiative
Our first-of-its-kind initiative helped impacted employers preserve more than 530 jobs and invest nearly $70 million in new capital across Unicoi and Cocke counties after Hurricane Helene.
🥈 Silver | Experience High Volume Website
Our redesigned website brings Tennessee’s Experience High Volume brand to life while showcasing our state as a premier destination for business, talent and innovation. We’re grateful to our agency partner, @mpf_agency, for helping bring the vision to life.
TNECD's Web Administrator Riley Sandborg and Multimedia Production Lead Levi Gibson accepted the awards in New Orleans, Louisiana, on behalf of the department.
We’re proud to see Tennessee recognized on the national stage. 🙌 #IEDCNewOrleans
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MAT Industries is expanding again in Jackson!
The company first announced an expansion at its Madison County facility in June 2025, creating 30 new jobs and investing $9 million.
Today’s announcement marks the next phase of that ongoing growth, with MAT Industries committing to create an additional 85 jobs, bringing even more opportunity to the Jackson community. 👏
tnecd.com/news/mat-industrie…
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Rally US will bring the FIA World Rally Championship back to the United States for the first time since 1988, with Knoxville serving as host city and a ceremonial start on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. 🎉
“Rally US is more than a major international sporting event; it is a powerful economic development driver for Tennessee. It gives us an opportunity to showcase the people, places and industries that make our state competitive while bringing visitors and business executives to towns and cities along the route. While here, they will see the strength of our workforce, the beauty of our state and the hospitality that defines Tennessee. We look forward to showing the world why Tennessee is a great place to live, work, play and invest.” - Deputy Governor/@CommishTNECD Stuart C. McWhorter
🔗 Learn more: wrcrallyus.com/copy-of-press…
@OfficialWRC
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Dolly Parton’s unmistakable Tennessee spirit brought a special moment to the Southeast U.S.-Japan (SEUS) Annual Joint Meeting in Nashville. ✨
In a video recorded shortly before her passing, Dolly welcomed Japanese political and business leaders and celebrated the longstanding friendship and economic partnership between Japan and the Southeast U.S.
The meeting marked nearly 50 years of collaboration between Japan and the Southeast, including a partnership that has made Japan Tennessee’s #1 FDI partner, with 200+ companies supporting over 60,000 Tennesseans. 🤝 🇯🇵
🔗 Watch the video: wsmv.com/2026/10/28/dolly-pa…
@JASTennessee
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"From aerospace and advanced manufacturing to nuclear energy and quantum technologies, Tennessee has built an ecosystem that uniquely positions our state to support this mission. Pursuing the U.S. Space Academy is about more than attracting a historic investment. It’s about strengthening our innovation economy, creating new opportunities for Tennesseans and helping shape the future of American space exploration for generations to come.” 🚀 - Deputy Governor/@CommishTNECD Stuart C. McWhorter
Someone will determine what the future looks like — that should be Tennessee.
We have the location, infrastructure, workforce & spirit of innovation needed for the new United States Space Academy.
Grateful for the leadership of @POTUS & @NASA, and we look forward to helping them bring the vision to life. 🚀
Read more: tn.gov/governor/news/2026/10…
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The latest round of Downtown Improvement Grants will award more than $3.9 million in funding to 14 Tennessee communities.
“Vibrant downtowns do not happen by accident — they are built through local vision, long-term planning and collaboration. These grants will help 14 communities turn that vision into visible progress by revitalizing the places where residents gather, businesses grow and visitors experience what makes each community unique,” said Deputy Gov. and Commissioner McWhorter.
See if your community is a grantee below ⬇️
tnecd.com/news/governor-lee-…
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As we round out our monthlong celebration of #GovCon26, we’re looking back one more time on an unforgettable two days in Chattanooga. ⏪
From meaningful conversations about Tennessee’s future to inspiring speakers, memorable experiences and special surprises, this year’s conference brought together leaders from across the state to connect, celebrate, reflect and look ahead. 🤝
Thank you to everyone who helped make #GovCon26 our biggest Governor’s Conference yet. We’re already looking forward to seeing y'all in Nashville for #GovCon27, Oct. 21–22. 😎
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TNECD retweeted
Strong relationships drive strong economies.
I’m proud to welcome leaders from Japan and states across the Southeast to Nashville for the 48th SEUS/Japan Annual Joint Meeting. We look forward to strengthening this longstanding partnership and building new opportunities for Tennessee.
Excited for what’s ahead!
The 48th SEUS/Japan Joint Meeting is underway in Nashville!
Tennessee is proud to host this annual gathering of business and government leaders from Japan and across the Southeast as we strengthen this longstanding economic partnership and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Former Gov. @BillHaslam is serving as chair alongside Japan co-chairs Yasuhiro Morita and Masaaki Tsuya of @Bridgestone.
Japan is Tennessee’s top foreign direct investment partner, with more than 200 Japanese businesses supporting nearly 50,000 jobs and $21 billion in capital investment across the state. We’re excited to build on these relationships and welcome our partners from Japan and across the Southeast to Tennessee.
With an incredible speaker line-up to kick off the conference, here are a few snapshots from day 1 so far!
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TNECD announced today that 14 Tennessee counties have been selected for housing market analyses to help communities better understand their housing needs and plan for future growth.
Conducted in partnership with Points Consulting, these studies build on similar efforts completed across West Tennessee in preparation for growth surrounding BlueOval City.
See which counties were selected below! ⬇️
tnecd.com/news/tnecd-announc…
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TNECD retweeted
Proud to host the 48th SEUS/Japan Joint Meeting in Tennessee.
We’re grateful for our strong partnership with Japan, and look forward to the new opportunities that will emerge from our time together.
The 48th SEUS/Japan Joint Meeting is underway in Nashville!
Tennessee is proud to host this annual gathering of business and government leaders from Japan and across the Southeast as we strengthen this longstanding economic partnership and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Former Gov. @BillHaslam is serving as chair alongside Japan co-chairs Yasuhiro Morita and Masaaki Tsuya of @Bridgestone.
Japan is Tennessee’s top foreign direct investment partner, with more than 200 Japanese businesses supporting nearly 50,000 jobs and $21 billion in capital investment across the state. We’re excited to build on these relationships and welcome our partners from Japan and across the Southeast to Tennessee.
With an incredible speaker line-up to kick off the conference, here are a few snapshots from day 1 so far!
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The 48th SEUS/Japan Joint Meeting is underway in Nashville!
Tennessee is proud to host this annual gathering of business and government leaders from Japan and across the Southeast as we strengthen this longstanding economic partnership and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Former Gov. @BillHaslam is serving as chair alongside Japan co-chairs Yasuhiro Morita and Masaaki Tsuya of @Bridgestone.
Japan is Tennessee’s top foreign direct investment partner, with more than 200 Japanese businesses supporting nearly 50,000 jobs and $21 billion in capital investment across the state. We’re excited to build on these relationships and welcome our partners from Japan and across the Southeast to Tennessee.
With an incredible speaker line-up to kick off the conference, here are a few snapshots from day 1 so far!
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We’re sharing two of our favorite messages recorded by attendees in the audio guestbook at #GovCon26. 📞
Guests were invited to share a memory or meaningful achievement, and these reflections from Hickman and Clay counties highlight the impact of @GovBillLee's administration across Tennessee.
Listen as they reflect on moments that made a meaningful difference in their communities over the past eight years. ✨
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Growth ahead of schedule is always worth celebrating. 🙌 After reaching its previous job goals early, Valmont Industries is expanding again in Marion County.
The company will create 84 new jobs and invest an additional $45 million in Jasper to increase production of engineered steel structures that support the nation’s utility infrastructure. We’re proud to celebrate Valmont’s continued investment in Tennessee and its workforce. ⚡
tnecd.com/news/valmont-indus…
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#GovCon26 Highlights DAY 5 ✅
We closed out #GovCon26 by celebrating @GovBillLee's final Governor’s Conference and the legacy of his eight years serving Tennessee.
Gov. Lee joined Deputy Governor/@CommishTNECD Stuart C. McWhorter, former TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe and TNECD Assistant Commissioner Lyndi Berrones for a fireside conversation reflecting on Tennessee’s progress and the work ahead.
The celebration continued with a special video tribute from friends and colleagues, followed by surprise performances from Tennessee stars Steven Curtis Chapman and Luke Bryan. 🎉
It was an unforgettable celebration of eight years of service, leadership and love for Tennessee. Thank you, Gov. Lee, for leading our state so well. 👏
A special shoutout to Courtney Davidson Photography for capturing the unforgettable moments of #GovCon26. ✨
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#GovCon26 Highlights DAY 4 ✅
Day 2 began with an update from our marketing agency, MP&F, on the impact of TNECD’s Experience High Volume brand across Tennessee. Last year, conference attendees got a sneak peek at the new brand, and this year, they heard how the vision is coming to life statewide. 🙌
The plenary session continued with a look at Tennessee’s growing film and television industry through the lens of @911nashville. Led by @tnentertains Executive Director Bob Raines, the panel featured Head of Production Michael Lohmann, Showrunner Rashad Radam and actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
The discussion highlighted how major productions create economic impact, elevate Tennessee’s profile and build momentum for the state’s entertainment industry. 📽️
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#GovCon26 Highlights DAY 3 ✅
After wrapping up the first day of #GovCon26, attendees gathered at @UTChattanooga’s Chamberlain Field for an unforgettable opening night reception and backyard barbecue celebrating Tennessee’s legacy, traditions and bright future. 🙌
Guests enjoyed live bluegrass music from Randy Steele Music and High Cold Wind, sampled PickTN products provided by @TNAgriculture and connected with fellow leaders from across the state.
Shoutout to our host, UTC, it was the perfect way to cap off Day 1 in Chattanooga. 🎉
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Innovation is taking root in Hamilton County classrooms. 🙌
Through TN QuantumWorks, students from kindergarten through high school are being introduced to quantum concepts, critical thinking and career pathways connected to one of the world’s most promising emerging technologies. 💡
The initiative brings together @hamcoschools, @chattquantum, @UTChattanooga, @EPB_Chattanooga, Thinking Media and @Jobs4_TN to help build the talent pipeline for Tennessee’s growing quantum ecosystem.
By preparing students for the opportunities of tomorrow, Tennessee is laying the foundation for continued innovation, investment and high-quality jobs across the state. 👏
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#GovCon26 Highlights DAY 2 ✅
From quantum technology and data centers to housing, infrastructure, agriculture and advanced energy, #GovCon26’s breakout sessions focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping Tennessee’s future.
Attendees heard from leaders working to strengthen communities, build workforce pipelines, support industry growth, preserve Tennessee’s history and prepare for emerging sectors. Across every session, one theme stood out: Tennessee’s continued success depends on collaboration, thoughtful planning and communities ready to turn opportunity into action. 🤝
Thank you to all our speakers and attendees who made these discussions so meaningful and impactful.
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