In the middle of the last century, Tennesseans migrated north for jobs in the auto industry. In the present century, those jobs are surging into Tennessee, thanks to an extraordinary mix of favorable forces.
“There has been a rush of interest toward Tennessee,” Stuart McWhorter, the state’s commissioner of Economic and Community Develop-ment, told McMinnville Rotarians and their guests Thursday. Many of the multi-million-dollar industrial placements have come from foreign companies attracted by Tennessee’s central location, mild climate, low taxes, business-friendly culture and skilled workforce, he explained.
The Volunteer State has emerged as a national leader in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and building the essential parts for those cars and trucks. The Ford Blue Oval project brings a multi-billion dollar investment to a rural part of West Tennessee, along with thousands of high-skilled, high-paying jobs, the Rotary speaker noted.
At the same time, the international business giant LG is making an historic, $3.2 billion commitment in placing an EV battery plant near Clarksville, creating 860 new jobs. An American company is standing up an EV battery component plant near Chattanooga. Those and other auto-related installations will be drawing in smaller industries and vendors that will supply needed parts and support services, McWhorter emphasized.
Applause broke out when he cited the forthcoming $550 million expansion of the Bridgestone truck and tire plant at Morrison, underscoring the state’s strength in providing a workforce and the infrastructure required for such heavy-duty, consistent production over the long term.
Among the Rotary Club guests at the luncheon at First Presbyterian Church were local Bridgestone leaders including plant manager Tim Painter, operations manager Karthik Ulagappan, human resources manager Lori Petty and community outreach coordinator Shannon Gulick.
Joining McWhorter for the local civic club visit was Deniece Thomas, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
It was the first time the heads of those two major state agencies sat together for a meeting in McMinnville.
They will offer their insights and forecasts on Tennessee business development in this week’s FOCUS interview program on McMinnville Public Radio 91.3-WCPI. The community-based, non-commercial broadcaster will air the 25-minute conversation Tuesday at 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 5 a.m.; Thursday, 1 p.m.; and Friday at 1 a.m.
“It’s sort of a renaissance in manufacturing,” McWhorter remarked, pointing to a colossal $3.1 billion in automobile exports from Tennessee in 2021.
“Tennessee has positioned itself to be a leader in the South and maybe the nation,” he observed, crediting the high level of “alignment” and cooperation among local and state leaders in promoting and nurturing business and job growth.
After the Rotary luncheon the Tennessee government leaders called on Motlow State Community College Advanced Robotics Training Center, which has quickly established itself as one of America’s top facilities for academic and industrial training in state-of-the art manufacturing technology.
