Jamie Stitt
Assistant Commissioner, Business and Workforce Development
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Nashville, TN 37243Common Search Terms
We Proudly Serve the World.
We’ve created an environment unbound by state borders. No other state is more competitive in recruiting foreign direct investment or in exporting products enjoyed the world over. We’ve established resources that make Tennessee accessible to any international market.
We’re in it for the long term. By investing in a broader international footprint, we’ve ensured that Tennessee is firmly entrenched in the new global economy.
The Volunteer State is home to 1,000+ foreign-based businesses that have invested over $40.9 billion in capital and employ more than 156,000 Tennesseans. Tennessee continues to proactively identify and recruit new foreign direct investment (FDI) to the state alongside efforts to increase Tennessee exports. Our state has offices courting foreign direct investment in Japan, South Korea, Ireland, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. We work closely with our federal partners to promote exports, which totaled more than $34.6 billion in 2021. This investment demonstrates Tennessee’s commitment to competing globally for business and jobs, which is not something that most states can claim.
In 2021, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development received 33 project commitments from foreign-owned businesses, resulting in 4,889 job commitments and $892 million in capital investment. These major foreign projects included French-owned Capgemini America Inc. (500 new jobs, $20.1 million in capital investment), Danish-owned Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership (375 new jobs, $10 million in capital investment), and Japanese-owned NTT DATA Services, LLC (350 new jobs, $9.9 million in capital investment).
We believe in high expectations, low debt and a pro-business regulatory environment. Tennessee is proud to be a right-to-work state with no personal income tax. Our state and local tax burdens are some of the lowest in the country. We have the lowest debt per capita among U.S. states and Tennessee’s budget operates with a healthy surplus.
Quick Facts
1000+
Foreign-based establishments in Tennessee
156K+
Tennesseans employed by foreign-based establishments
$40+
Billion in capital invested in Tennessee by foreign-based establishments
#2
In the U.S. for FDI job creation (2018)
Volkswagen
Beretta
Wonder Porcelain
Bridgestone
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Top Exported Products
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Commodity 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Medical Equipment & Supplies (3391) $3.4 B $3.3 B $3.9 B $4 B $4.3 B Pharmaceuticals & Medicines (3254) $599 M $701 M $875 M $960 M $2.9 B Navigational/Measuring/Electromedical/Control Instruments (3345) $1.9 B $2.1 B $2.1 B $2 B $2.4 B Basic Chemicals (3251) $1.9 B $2 B $1.8 B $1.6 B $2 B Communications Equipment (3342) $951 M $845 M $722 M $1.1 B $2 B Motor Vehicles (3361) $2.8 B $2.8 B $2.5 B $1.6 B $1.6 B Resin, Syn Rubber, Artf & Syn Fibers/Filaments (3252) $1.4 B $1.4 B $1.5 B $1.3 B $1.6 B Navigational/Measuring/Medical/Control Instrument (3341) $1.9 B $1.1 B $1.3 B $883 M $1.4 B Motor Vehicle Parts (3363) $2.7 B $2.3 B $1.9 B $1.4 B $1.3 B Engines, Turbines & Power Transmission Equipment (3336) $868 M $925 M $864 M $687 M $886 M -
Top Ten Countries for Tennessee FDI
Data current as of November 2022.
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Foreign Country # of Establishments Total Employment Capital Investment Japan 202 53,757 $20,209,780,774 Germany 128 20,108 $6,831,684,868 United Kingdom 113 11,715 $1,685,625,773 Canada 76 8,249 $3,310,912,288 France 75 10,357 $939,179,797 Ireland 65 7,854 $136,181,108 Sweden 33 5,488 $1,111,686,500 Switzerland 41 4,715 $1,165,654,904 South Korea 19 3,515 $2,301,089,307 Italy 35 3,301 $1,009,158,611
Tennessee has long been a hub of innovation for Schneider Electric, and we are happy to maintain our strong commitment to the communities where we live and work.
- Annette Clayton, CEO and president of Schneider Electric North America
WE’VE ENSURED THAT TENNESSEE
IS FIRMLY ENTRENCHED IN THE NEW GLOBAL ECONOMY.
Tennessee continues to proactively identify and recruit new foreign direct investment (FDI) to the state alongside efforts to increase Tennessee exports. Our state has offices courting foreign direct investment in Japan, South Korea, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Kingdom. We work closely with our federal partners to promote exports.
International Quick Facts
$40.9+
Billion in capital invested in Tennessee by foreign-based establishments
#2
In the U.S. for FDI job creation
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