Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter are packing their bags for a strategic trip across the pond to the United Kingdom, as they look to tighten the bonds with European businesses and attract fresh investments to the Volunteer State. The journey, which is slated for next week, is not just for handshakes and photo ops – it's a robust mission to boost economic growth and create jobs for Tennesseans, as stated in a press release from the governor's office.
This marks Lee's first UK visit and his third international business recruitment effort since assuming office in 2019, and the agenda includes attending the Farnborough International Airshow notably recognized for its global presence in aerospace, aviation, and defense, and holding talks with potential and existing business partners such as AMI Metals and Smith & Nephew who already have a foot in Tennessee's door. According to Gov. Lee, "Tennessee has earned a worldwide reputation as one of the best places to do business thanks to our booming economy, unmatched business climate, and skilled workforce," as per the Tennessee Office of the Governor, which is why they're jetting off to showcase why Tennessee stands as a prime locale for successful ventures and growth opportunities.
Successes linked to previous tours are noteworthy, with TNECD’s international recruitment strategies paying off to the tune of some hefty numbers - 533 new jobs and north of $156 million in investment funneled into Tennessee from European enterprises, such as Schneider Electric and Landmark Ceramics. As stated by the Tennessee Office of the Governor, "Relationship building takes time and is a critical component of the work we do as a department," Commissioner McWhorter explained, focusing on the direct impact of his team's travels from last year that welcomed new economic commitments to the state. In an expansion move led by Schneider Electric in March, which was the direct byproduct of a face-to-face engagement in Paris, Tennessee sees an additional investment of $85 million and the creation of 450 jobs. Schneider Electric's North America President Aamir Paul noted the significance of "strong, strategic partnerships with states" as a catalyst for local impact and community enhancement..
