A Year of Momentum

Historic Investments in 2025

The Tennessee Valley region closed 2025 with a wave of transformative economic announcements, from history-making investments to projects in cutting-edge fields.

From October to December, companies across diverse industries capitalized on the area’s strategic advantages, including its skilled workforce, robust logistics network and collaborative economic development environment.

Through its commitment to delivering reliable, affordable energy, the Tennessee Valley Authority helped power this growth.

As more businesses choose to launch or expand within the seven-state service area, TVA is meeting rising power demand by investing in new generation. TVA operates a diverse fleet of more than 32,000 megawatts of generation capacity – including nuclear, natural gas, hydro, coal, solar and battery storage – and has planned for more than 6,200 megawatts of additional capacity, with more than 3,700 megawatts already in construction.

These investments help ensure the region has the energy foundation needed to support its expanding economy and attract world-class businesses.

“TVA is proud to support companies that contribute to the prosperity and vibrancy of our region,” Heidi Smith, vice president of TVA Economic Development, said. “Along with our community partners, we celebrate the companies that will shape the region’s business landscape for years to come.”

Korea Zinc

The world’s leading comprehensive nonferrous metal manufacturer, Korea Zinc, announced plans to establish the company’s first U.S. operations in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Plans for the project include creating 420 new jobs and investing more than $6 billion in the company’s facilities. It’s the largest single private corporate investment made in Tennessee history.

Economic development partners include the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board and Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation.

AKFA Aluminum Solutions

This full-cycle aluminum production company announced plans to establish operations in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Plans for the project include creating 331 new jobs. This announcement marks the first Uzbekistani company to establish manufacturing operations in the U.S. Economic development partners include the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Warren RECC.

Kroger

This U.S. grocer announced plans to establish operations in Franklin, Kentucky. Plans for the project include creating 430 new jobs and investing $391 million in the company’s distribution center. Economic development partners include Warren RECC, Franklin-Simpson Industrial Authority, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

Eli Lilly

Eli Lilly, a leading pharmaceutical company, announced plans to establish operations in Huntsville, Alabama. Plans for the advanced manufacturing facility include creating 450 new quality jobs and investing $6 billion, which represents the largest initial investment in the state’s history.

Economic development partners include Alabama Department of Commerce, Athens Utilities, Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, the city of Huntsville and Huntsville Utilities.

Toyota

The global automotive manufacturer, Toyota, announced plans to expand its U.S. manufacturing presence, including two locations within TVA’s footprint.

Toyota announced plans to invest $125 million in the company’s Blue Springs, Mississippi facility and $71.4 million along with 33 new jobs at its casting plant in Jackson, Tennessee.

Economic development partners include Mississippi Development Authority, New Albany Light Gas and Water, Three Rivers Planning and Development District, Community Development Foundation, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Jackson Energy Authority, the Greater Jackson Chamber, city of Jackson and Madison County.

Hyosung HICO

This power transformer manufacturer announced plans to expand operations in Memphis, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 240 new jobs and investing more than $150 million as the company constructs a new facility at its U.S. headquarters, marking the second expansion project at the facility in six months. Upon completion, the new facility will be one of the largest domestic power transformer manufacturing operations in the country.

Economic development partners include MLGW, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce, and Memphis Shelby County EDGE.

Carlex Glass America

Carlex Glass America, a precision-formed automotive glass manufacturer, announced plans to expand operations in Nashville, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 143 high-skilled jobs and investing $55 million in the company’s Davidson County operations.

Economic development partners include Nashville Electric Service, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.

Aqua Membranes

This reverse osmosis membrane manufacturer announced plans to establish operations in Knoxville. Plans for the project include creating 95 new jobs and investing more than $6.5 million in the company’s new facility.

Economic development partners include Knoxville Utilities Board, the Industrial Board of Knox County, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, East Tennessee Economic Development Agency, the city of Knoxville and Knox County, and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Fratco

Fratco, a leader in corrugated plastic pipe manufacturing, announced plans to establish operations in DeKalb County, Alabama. Plans for the project include creating 60 new jobs at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Economic development partners include DeKalb County Economic Development Authority, the Fort Payne Improvement Authority, the city of Fort Payne, and the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Tate

This manufacturer of thermal management and airflow solutions announced plans to establish operations in Barren County, Kentucky. Plans for the project include creating 400 new jobs and investing $61 million in the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. It's the largest economic development investment in Barren County in nearly 20 years.

Economic development partners include Glasgow EPB, Barren County Economic Development Authority and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.

Radiant

A nuclear generator company, Radiant, announced plans to establish the company’s nuclear manufacturing and research and development operations in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 175 new jobs and investing $280 million that will support the development and mass production of the world’s first one-megawatt portable nuclear generator.

Economic development partners include the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Roane County, city of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Electric Department, U.S. Department of Energy and East Tennessee Development Agency.

Nidec

This global manufacturer of advanced alternators announced plans to expand operations in Henderson County, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 200 new jobs and investing more than $50 million in the company’s Lexington facility.

Economic development partners include Lexington Electric System, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the city of Lexington.

Nissha Medical Technologies

This global medical device company announced plans to establish operations in Nashville, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 38 new jobs and investing $4.5 million in the company’s engineering operations for research and development at Vanderbilt University.

Economic development partners include Nashville Electric Service, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Metro Nashville Government, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Vanderbilt University.