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 $28.1 billion in 2020. 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 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Medical Equipment & Supplies $3,335,705,958 $3,434,417,731 $3,343,995,180 $3,927,184,139 $4,042,074,688 Navigational/Measuring/Medical/Control Instrument $1,870,780,557 $1,943,251,460 $2,103,254,745 $2,131,034,028 $2,096,826,510 Basic Chemicals $1,784,849,534 $1,942,827,949 $2,010,086,473 $1,894,161,418 $1,704,787,532 Motor Vehicles $2,646,528,235 $2,888,117,631 $2,896,899,661 $2,571,331,099 $1,679,140,468 Motor Vehicle Parts $2,970,424,583 $2,712,287,264 $2,366,294,096 $1,999,429,815 $1,452,679,978 Resin, Syn Rubber, Artificial & Syn Fibers/filaments $1,500,300,318 $1,486,351,236 $1,478,223,332 $1,503,316,671 $1,334,533,974 Communications Equipment $896,082,549 $951,082,429 $845,466,347 $722,781,370 $1,161,329,161 Pharmaceuticals & Medicines $530,470,726 $599,493,689 $701,744,702 $875,398,909 $965,561,899 Aerospace Products & Parts $1,206,419,845 $1,589,098,057 $1,464,811,967 $1,039,008,374 $887,662,870 Computer Equipment $1,825,404,446 $1,914,670,404 $1,103,211,163 $1,137,944,052 $883,570,185 -
Top Countries for Tennessee FDI
Data current as of December 2021.
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Foreign Country # of Establishments Total Employment Capital Investment Japan 200 52,339 $19,575,932,774 Germany 131 20,486 $6,618,600,398 United Kingdom 115 12,157 $1,697,625,773 Canada 81 8,390 $3,272,692,288 France 79 11,390 $984,079,797 Ireland 67 8,026 $136,181,108 Netherlands 49 4,746 $244,766,574 Switzerland 46 5,214 $1,152,654,904 China 37 6,033 $600,038,289 Italy 37 3,027 $977,763,279
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, 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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