Announces Howmet expansion, visits Orano headquarters, meets with Schneider Electric leadership
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart McWhorter released photos and highlights from their successful strategic economic development trip to France. This trip marks Gov. Lee’s fourth international recruitment trip since taking office in 2019.
Joined by fellow governors, including Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, and Gov. Sarah Sanders of Arkansas, the Governor attended the 55th International Paris Air Show and met with leading companies to attract new jobs and investment to the Volunteer State.
A photo album may be accessed here.
“As states across the country compete for economic investment, Tennessee consistently ranks as a top state for business thanks to our strong economy, low taxes, and talented workforce,” said Gov. Lee. “Leading global companies are choosing to relocate and expand across the Volunteer State, and I look forward to a strong return on investment as a result of this strategic economic development trip.”
Gov. Lee also spoke with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy regarding shared infrastructure priorities, including the ongoing I-55 Bridge project in Memphis, the single-largest transportation investment in Tennessee history.
During the Air Show, Howmet Aerospace Inc., a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries, announced plans to expand in Morristown, Tennessee. The announcement marks the company’s second expansion in less than one year, which will create 217 new jobs. Howmet employs more than 1,000 people in Hamblen County and is one of the largest employers in the East Tennessee region.
Gov. Lee and Commissioner McWhorter also met with company leadership from Schneider Electric and Orano, two French multinationals with existing operations in Tennessee.
In March 2025, Schneider Electric was named the Official Energy Management Partner of the new Nissan Stadium, and the company has invested in multiple expansions across the state, bringing hundreds of new jobs and employing more than 1,900 Tennesseans.
In September 2024, Orano USA announced plans to local a multi-billion-dollar uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, marking the single largest investment in Tennessee history. Gov. Lee and Commissioner McWhorter visited the company’s Paris headquarters, further strengthening this significant partnership.
“Having Gov. Lee join TNECD on international recruitment trips sends a powerful message to global companies: Tennessee is committed to building strong, strategic partnerships,” said TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “Since 2019, our focus on foreign direct investment has driven significant economic growth—bringing nearly 3,000 new jobs and nearly $5 billion in capital investment to communities across our state.”
Held every other year, the Paris Air Show is the world’s largest aerospace event, with $150 billion in contracts signed during the show in 2023.
Tennessee’s aerospace and defense sector has emerged as one of the state’s strongest industries, with approximately 2,900 new jobs created and more than $575 million invested during Gov. Lee’s administration. Today, the Volunteer State is home to 160 aerospace and defense companies with well-known names like Howmet Aerospace, West Star Aviation and Bell Helicopter.
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