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: Larry Waters

A Legacy in the Making: Larry Waters Leads Sevier County and the Region

When Larry Waters first took office as Sevier County Mayor in 1978, he was 25 years old, Jimmy Carter was President, gas was 65 cents a gallon, and the U.S. had recently emerged from a major recession a few years prior. Much like the rest of East Tennessee, Sevier County was on the brink of transformation—but few could have imagined how much change would come. Over the next 47 years, Mayor Waters would help guide that change with steady, unifying leadership, a deep commitment to community, and a dedication to regional progress.

Greenheck Group Breaks Ground on New Corporate Campus in Knox County

Greenheck Group officially broke ground on its new corporate campus at Midway Business Park, marking a major economic development milestone for Knox County. The Wisconsin-based manufacturer, known for its industrial ventilation systems, chose the site after a nationwide search, bringing an anticipated 440 new jobs to the area in the first phase. The project spans 330 acres and includes two 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facilities and a central office. Beyond the economic boost, Greenheck is also investing in local education through a $2 million partnership with Carter High School, creating a hands-on engineering and manufacturing program for students.

BWXT Expands in Oak Ridge with New Uranium Enrichment Facility

BWX Technologies, Inc. is investing $45 million in a new Oak Ridge facility focused on manufacturing centrifuge assemblies. The site will be located next door to the test facility at the Horizon Center Industrial Park in Oak Ridge, close to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Backed by Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Fund, the project will create at least 60 jobs and enhance U.S. efforts to secure enriched uranium for national defense. The nearly 97-acre site aligns with BWXT’s long-term plans to support the National Nuclear Security Administration’s fuel production mission near Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

Anderson-Dubose Breaks Ground in Jefferson City

Anderson-Dubose breaks ground for its new distribution facility in early March in Jefferson City. In October 2024, the company announced a $40 million investment in Jefferson County that will create 80 full-time jobs at opening and up to 120 as they continue to expand. Anderson-Dubose is a nationally recognized distributor specializing in food, beverage, and paper products for McDonald's. The company, known for its focus on quality and operational excellence, will service over 450 restaurant locations across the region from its new Jefferson County facility. Paul Hammond, the vice president of operations, cited Jefferson County’s hospitality, beauty, and rail service as a perfect fit for their fourth expansion. Community leaders and company representatives celebrated the groundbreaking as the beginning of a strong partnership that will support growth and opportunity in East Tennessee.

Scott County Awarded Site Development Grant

Earlier this year, the Scott County Industrial Development Board was one of eleven communities awarded a new Site Development Grant from The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD). The county received $66,500 for the development of a new airport industrial site. This grant is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act which aims to strengthen and grow the economies of rural communities across the state.

“A shovel-ready industrial site can be the deciding factor for a company looking to do business in Tennessee, and that’s why our efforts are critical to community and economic development,” said Governor Bill Lee. “I congratulate the communities receiving funding through this round of grants and look forward to seeing the growth our investment in these sites will bring.”

East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA) assisted Scott County with the grant process. Brad Maul, President and CEO of ETEDA, stated, “We congratulate Scott County’s efforts to grow their industrial base. Preparing sites for future investment ensures we remain competitive and creates more opportunities across the region. We are always happy to support our communities as they create an environment where new industries can thrive.”

Source: TNECD, ETEDA



McGhee Tyson Airport Boasts Record Flights and Passengers in 2024

McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) served a record 3.3 million passengers in 2024 across more than 125 daily flights.  The airport generates over $2.6 billion in local economic impact and offers more than 30 non-stop flights across the country. A $700 million expansion project is currently underway to meet growing facility demands. These exciting developments were shared during ETEDA’s Advisory Committee meeting at the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, where Patrick Wilson, President & CEO, and Jim Evans, VP of Marketing & Air Service Development, gave an informative presentation. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, out of the top 100 airports, McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) was the fastest growing airport by passenger percentage increase in 2024. Great things are happening at McGhee Tyson Airport, and we’re grateful for its tremendous impact on East Tennessee.

Cocke County Selected to Participate in Property Evaluation Program

Cocke County was one of three counties selected by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) to participate in the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program (PEP) in 2025.

With assistance from Austin Consulting, a site selection firm, this program advises counties on ways to enhance their industrial sites and identifies where strategic investments can have the greatest impact. Part of this program includes an on-site visit from Austin Consulting and TNECD. 

East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA) assisted Cocke County with their PEP application and participated in the site visit with Austin Consulting, TNECD and local representatives in late April. As part of the visit, Austin Consulting provided Cocke County leaders with a presentation on the site selection process and a comprehensive assessment to help the county become more marketable to prospects.

“The Property Evaluation Program will help counties identify the best sites for future industrial growth,” said Jonathan Gemmen, Senior Director of Austin Consulting. “By planning 10 and 20 years ahead, these communities can make informed decisions that will drive long-term economic success.” In addition to Cocke County, Sequatchie and Tipton Counties were also selected to participate in PEP this year.  According to TNECD, Cocke County was chosen due to its need for industrial properties and its capacity to bring together sites with strong market potential.

Source: TNECD, ETEDA

Walls Recognized for Graduating Rural Leadership Institute at TVA’s Economic Developers’ Forum

East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA) is proud to congratulate Emily Walls on graduating from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Rural Leadership Institute. She was recognized at TVA’s Economic Developers’ Forum in April. This achievement reflects her dedication to professional growth and ETEDA’s ongoing commitment to assisting our communities across East Tennessee.

According to TVA, this leadership program is “designed to help economic development partners in the TVA region connect their organization’s strategy and day-to-day work with the economic development goals of the community. The Institute teaches participants how to effectively lead their organization, partner organizations, businesses, elected officials, and citizens.” 

“Having the opportunity to participate in TVA’s Rural Leadership Institute allowed me to better understand how I can serve our 15-county region. It gave me the opportunity to develop relationships, share ideas, and collaborate with economic developers, elected officials, and utility leaders across the Tennessee Valley. It was an invaluable experience, and I’m grateful to TVA for making it possible and to ETEDA for supporting my growth as a leader and communicator in the region,” says Walls.

At ETEDA, we believe that leadership development is key to building the future of our region, and this accomplishment exemplifies how investing in our people helps us move mountains, together.

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