Stay connected with our latest newsletter at East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA)! Get informed about the news, trends, and opportunities in economic development in our region. We're excited to share the stories of the amazing people and places that make East Tennessee truly exceptional.

Board Spotlight: Harry Gross

A LESSON IN ELEVATING OTHERS: HARRY GROSS MOVES MOUNTAINS IN COMMUNITY CARE

“I think investing in people, at the end of the day, is probably the biggest personal and professional accomplishment that anyone can hope for.” For East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA) board member Harry Gross, these words capture the essence of who he is—and why he’s dedicated years of service to ETEDA and countless other organizations across East Tennessee.

November 06, 2025

Aqua Membranes Expands to Knoxville

Aqua Membranes, a leader in global water treatment, has selected Knoxville for its first U.S. expansion outside its Albuquerque headquarters. The company will invest $6.6 million and create 95 new jobs at its new facility in the Forks of the River Valley Industrial Park. The Knoxville location will boost production capacity and support global demand for Aqua Membranes’ patented Printed Spacer Technology®, which improves energy efficiency, increases water flow, reduces cleaning frequency, and extends the life of the membrane.

October 14, 2025

Radiant to Invest $280 Million in Oak Ridge Expansion

Radiant has announced plans to establish new nuclear manufacturing and R&D operations in Oak Ridge, representing a $280 million investment and 175 new jobs in Roane County. The facility will support the development of Radiant’s Kaleidos, the world’s first one-megawatt portable nuclear generator, designed to deliver power to remote areas, military installations, and disaster-relief efforts. Radiant becomes the sixth company to choose Tennessee through the state’s Nuclear Energy Fund, which has grown to $70 million since its creation in 2023.

Photo Source: TNECD

September 24, 2025

Firearms Manufacturer Relocates to Anderson County

IWI US, Inc. has announced plans to move its headquarters and primary operations from Pennsylvania to Andersonville, Tennessee. The company will invest $15.7 million and create 72 new jobs in the area as it expands its manufacturing capabilities and product development. Founded in 2012, IWI US produces firearms for commercial, law enforcement, and government. Its relocation will bring the company closer to customers across the country.

September 04, 2025

Oklo Selects Oak Ridge for 1.7 Billion Expansion

Advanced nuclear technology company Oklo Inc. chose Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for a major $1.7 billion expansion that will establish a state-of-the-art nuclear fuel recycling facility at the Oak Ridge Heritage Center. The project is expected to create more than 800 new jobs, strengthening Tennessee’s growing leadership in the nuclear energy sector. Supported by the state’s Nuclear Energy Fund—a $70 million initiative championed by Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly—Oklo becomes the fifth company to locate in the state through the program.



Photo Source: TNECD

July 22, 2025

TreisD Brings Cutting-Edge 3D Innovation to Knox County

Atlanta-based tech startup TreisD Corporation is expanding to East Tennessee, launching a 20,000-square-foot manufacturing hub in Mascot’s Eastbridge Business Park. The company plans to create around 50 new jobs over the next two years, with the potential to grow to 100 positions as operations expand. TreisD specializes in transforming flat, two-dimensional images into vivid 3D visuals viewable without special glasses—technology with major implications for security printing, medical imaging, and product authentication. Partnering closely with the University of Tennessee’s renowned polymer science department.

ETEDA Advisory Committee Tours UT, IAMM, and Neyland Stadium

This summer, our ETEDA Advisory Committee visited the University of Tennessee (UT) Research Park at Cherokee Farm and the UT Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (IAMM). The tour was hosted by Marc Gibson, RJ Youngblood, and Ricky McCallum at the University. It included a walk-through of the Center for Precision Health and an overview of the UT Research Park, as well as a conversation on bioinformatics and precision medicine. Our committee also got a behind-the-scenes look at Innovation South High Bay, highlighting workforce development and manufacturing innovation.

Later in the day, they enjoyed a moderated discussion on UT’s resources and connectivity to East Tennessee communities with panelists:



• Deborah Crawford, Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Economic Development
• Matthew Scoggins, Chief of Staff, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Keith Carver, Senior Vice Chancellor/Senior Vice President of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. 

Of course, there was no better way to end the day with an exciting tour of Neyland Stadium! It was a great day to learn about all the ways university-driven innovation and research supports our region’s economic development.

Three East Tennessee Counties Participate in Site Development Programs

In July, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced more than $6 million in Select Tennessee Site Development Grants to six recipients, including Knox and Morgan Counties.  Knox County Industrial Development Board received a $3,962,056.25 grant for property grading at Eastbridge Business Park, and the Morgan County Economic Development Board received a $658,922.40 grant to acquire a 138-acre parcel of property for a new industrial park. These grants will help prepare sites for future economic development projects and move them toward Select Tennessee Certified Site status.

Gov. Lee stated, “I thank our local leaders for their partnership to drive growth in their communities that will, in turn, attract future investment and job creation.”

In late September, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced that Roane County was one of three counties selected to participate in the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program (PEP). This program evaluates prospective industrial sites and provides guidance to counties on potential upgrades and strategic investment opportunities.  Austin Consulting, a site selection firm, leads the assessments and offers recommendations to help communities make their sites more marketable to industrial prospects.

“Having development-ready sites across East Tennessee is essential for driving economic growth and creating new jobs,” said Brad Maul, ETEDA President and CEO. “We are proud to work with Knox, Morgan, and Roane Counties as they work with state and regional partners to create new product and position themselves for future investment opportunities.”

Source: TNECD, ETEDA

Southwest Airlines Lands in Knoxville this Spring

Southwest Airlines will begin service at Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport on March 5, 2026, marking a major milestone for East Tennessee’s connectivity and growth. The airline will offer five daily round-trip flights, including service to Nashville, Baltimore, Dallas, and Orlando—strengthening both business and tourism travel across the region.

In addition, Southwest is adding two other destinations to its TYS lineup with service to Denver International Airport (DEN) on Saturdays and Sundays beginning April 2026. On June 6, 2026, passengers will also be able to fly to Tampa, Florida and the frequency of flights to Denver will increase to daily flights. This expansion enhances East Tennessee’s access to key national markets, supporting job creation, visitor spending, and business recruitment efforts across the 15-county region. With each new connection, East Tennessee continues moving mountains, linking our communities to new opportunities and fueling the region’s future.

Follow Us On Social

At ETEDA, we’re moving mountains, and we want to make sure you don’t miss out. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook for all the latest regional updates, news, information, and success stories of the amazing things happening in our 15-county region. Join the conversation and stay connected with ETEDA!