Blount Economic Development

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed an interactive site titled “Nuclear is here . . . and here and here.” With the subtitle “East Tennessee hosts a nuclear resurgence,” it starts with the decision California-based Kairos Power that announced plans in December 2020 to build an advanced nuclear demonstration reactor within the site of the former K-25 uranium enrichment plant in Oak Ridge. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGvw24Ub

Tennessee continues to lead the way in economic growth and opportunity: - 600 projects located - 100,000 new jobs committed - $40 billion capital invested These milestones highlight our state’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, creating high-quality jobs and driving investment in our communities. Here's to building on this momentum in 2025.

The clean energy industry continues to grow in East Tennessee. Daniel Clark, the Founder of Topshelf Enterprises DBA 3D Solar, was one of the entrepreneurs who decided to remain mostly in Knoxville after the third cohort of the “Techstars Industries of the Future Accelerator” completed its three-month run in early June. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ensyxpUB

Blount Partnership Director of Economic Development Lauren Emert joined Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada at the 2024 Southeast U.S. Japan Conference in Charlotte. The conference is intended to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI) from Japanese companies.

October is Manufacturing Month, and we’re proud to highlight a backbone of Tennessee’s economy—manufacturing! The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role in driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening our state's economy. With over 5,700 manufacturers employing more than 367,000 Tennesseans, this sector contributes $65.8 billion to the economy and makes up 13.6% of our state's GDP.

In an effort to keep up with the growing aviation industry in Blount County, Pellissippi State Community College has been awarded nearly $2 million through the third round of the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Grants, to support the creation of a two-year associate degree in Aviation Technology, with a focus on Aviation Maintenance Technician Training. The new degree program, located at Pellissippi State’s Blount County Campus, will provide students with hands-on training in cutting-edge aviation technology, and allow them to work with emerging innovations in design, creation, testing, installation of aviation electronics, aircraft structures and mechanical systems. Pellissippi State’s program will equip students with the necessary skills to pursue careers as Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Maintenance Technicians. Aircraft mechanics that graduate from this program will be in high demand for aviation jobs and in other fields that require high mechanical knowledge. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the aviation industry will need to fill approximately 12,000 aircraft mechanic positions annually to keep up with demand.

The Department of Energy announced a $67 million investment in several AI projects from institutions in both government and academia as part of its AI for Science initiative. Six Oak Ridge National Laboratory -led (or co-led) projects received funding. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dtw8afMR

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Foreign Direct Investment Team toured Cirrus as part of an ongoing effort to encourage more recruitment in Blount County's growing aerospace industry.

The Blount Partnership is proud to announce that Lauren Emert, Director of Economic Development, has been named to the prestigious 40 Under 40 Class of 2024, an annual recognition presented by the Lincoln Memorial University School of Business and Knox News. The award honors 40 outstanding young professionals in East Tennessee who demonstrate exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication to their careers and communities. Upon receiving the honor, Emert shared her excitement, saying, "I am honored to be recognized among such an exceptional group of young leaders. It has been a tremendous opportunity to contribute to our community and support economic growth in East Tennessee." The 40 Under 40 award celebrates individuals who not only excel in their professional fields but also engage in selfless acts of service to improve the communities they serve. Emert's inclusion in this distinguished group is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and impact on both the local economy and the broader East Tennessee region. Blount Partnership President/CEO Bryan Daniels was named to the 40 Under 40 list in 2010. The Blount Partnership congratulates her and all the recipients of the 2024 Knox News 40 Under 40 award for their outstanding achievements and contributions.

Register now for the Redefining Work Systems Symposium: Addressing the Complexities of People and Technology, exploring how evolving technologies, practices, and lifestyles are transforming the modern workplace. Organized by the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering (IISE), The University of Tennessee's Center for Industrial Services (CIS), and the Center for Advanced Systems Research and Education (CASRE) in partnership with the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (ORETTC), the symposium brings together experts, innovators, and practitioners to examine the intricate relationships between the workforce, automation, and modern life. Discussions will focus on optimizing productivity, maximizing employee experience and quality of life, and ensuring ethical technology implementations in the reimagined workspace. Reserve your space here: https://lnkd.in/eUWnZVsc