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 $38.5 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, France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Kingdom. We work closely with our federal partners to promote exports, which totaled more than $31.0 billion in 2019. This investment demonstrates Tennessee’s commitment to competing globally for business and jobs, which is not something that most states can claim.
In 2019, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development received 34 project commitments from foreign-owned businesses, resulting in 4,428 job commitments and $1.4 billion in capital investment. This FDI accounted for nearly one-third of all Tennessee’s new jobs committed in 2019 and 45 percent of all capital investment committed in the state. These major foreign projects included German-owned Volkswagen (1,000 new jobs, $800 million in capital investment), Korean-owned Hyosung Heavy Industries (410 new jobs, $86.9 million in capital investment), and German-owned STULZ Air Technology Systems (250 new jobs, $2 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 on wages. 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
$38.5+
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 NAICS 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Medical Equipment & Supplies 3391 $32,616,848,576 $31,475,693,731 $33,232,790,626 $32,710,532,911 $31,068,109,626 Motor Vehicles 3361 $3,334,677,939 $3,335,705,958 $3,434,036,106 $3,344,356,373 $3,928,533,144 Navigational/Measuring/Medical/Control Instrument 3345 $2,708,558,521 $2,646,528,235 $2,888,117,631 $2,896,874,011 $2,570,737,379 Motor Vehicle Parts 3363 $1,802,447,131 $1,870,780,557 $1,943,251,460 $2,103,237,491 $2,120,638,417 Basic Chemicals 3251 $3,130,569,590 $2,970,424,583 $2,712,290,264 $2,366,514,546 $1,997,253,489 Resin, Syn Rubber, Artificial & Syn Fibers/filaments 3252 $1,869,510,760 $1,784,849,534 $1,942,827,949 $2,009,711,392 $1,896,330,876 Computer Equipment 3341 $1,726,286,803 $1,500,300,318 $1,486,385,016 $1,478,165,024 $1,505,242,986 Aerospace Products & Parts 3364 $2,205,940,635 $1,825,404,446 $1,914,664,959 $1,103,188,898 $1,133,767,477 Pharmaceuticals & Medicines 3254 $1,358,817,853 $1,206,419,845 $1,589,098,057 $1,464,792,334 $1,033,820,213 Engines, Turbine and Power Transmission Equipment 3336 $680,693,227 $530,470,726 $599,493,689 $701,676,459 $878,624,619 -
Top Countries for Tennessee FDI
Data current as of July 2021.
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Foreign Country # of Establishments Total Employment Capital Investment Japan 192 54,391 $19,575,932,774 Germany 129 20,991 $6,610,091,328 United Kingdom 115 11,600 $1,674,562,844 Canada 80 8,831 $3,122,153,088 France 78 10,518 $945,929,797 Ireland 66 7,837 $125,931,108 Netherlands 48 3,938 $244,766,574 Switzerland 47 5,289 $1,152,654,904 Italy 37 3,907 $941,763,279 Sweden 31 6,311 $1,096,186,500
We chose Nashville, Tennessee, for its pro-business environment, its talented workforce and its welcoming spirit.
- Frank Chen, President and CEO, Sinomax USA
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, France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Kingdom. We work closely with our federal partners to promote exports.
International Quick Facts
$38.5+
Billion in capital invested in Tennessee by foreign-based establishments
#2
In the U.S. for FDI job creation (2018)
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