Transatlantic Tennessee Tales #2

More Stories showcasing links between the UK & Ireland and Tennessee

Summer 2024

It’s been a busy summer in Tennessee with more great success stories and further transatlantic links, so here’s a quick roundup from the UK & Ireland office of the Tennessee Department for Economic & Community Development.

- New Projects Announced at Farnborough Air Show

A senior delegation led by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee; Deputy Governor Butch Eley; Commissioner Stuart McWhorter and Deputy Commissioner Allen Borden visited the UK in July to meet with existing and potential investors at the Farnborough Air Show and showcase the state’s growing aerospace credentials. During the show, it was announced that Howmet Aerospace will expand its facility in Morristown creating 50 new jobs and investing an additional $27.9 million in Tennessee.

- Delegation meets UK Ambassador in London

The delegation was invited to a reception at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to celebrate the UK-US relationship, where we met with a great friend of Tennessee, Dame Karen Pierce, British Ambassador to the United States; a number of incoming UK government representatives and the UK Department for Business and Trade .

- Governor Visits Britain’s Biggest Tennessee Investor?

Medical equipment manufacturing company, Smith+Nephew employs more than 2,500 Tennesseans at its major Memphis facility, so it was natural that the visiting delegation stopped by their Watford headquarters to thank senior management for their continued investment and receive updates on the company’s latest work.?

- Building Links with UK Nuclear Sector

While in the UK, Governor Lee also met with nuclear energy businesses who are considering U.S. expansion. Discussions focused on the growing cluster of nuclear companies in Tennessee and the state’s Nuclear Energy Supply-Chain Investment Fund.

- Tokamak Energy and University of Birmingham work with Oak Ridge on Fusion

Tokamak Energy , the Oxfordshire-based nuclear fusion firm, has received its ninth Department of Energy INFUSE award. Tokamak Energy will be working with Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and the University of Birmingham on the project which could expand the use of new materials, enable new design avenues, enhance safety, and improve plant efficiency.

- Primark Opens Second Tennessee Store in Memphis

Great news for shoppers as Ireland's Primark announced plans to open in Memphis, their second store in Tennessee. "We've continued to see great success as Primark grows our US presence southward," said Jerod Dinkin, Head of Real Estate USA, Primark. "The expansion throughout Tennessee will allow Primark to meet the shopping needs of communities in the state of Tennessee, as well as those nearby in Arkansas and Mississippi. We know Primark will thrive in the Bluff City!"

- ‘British Shoppe’ Opens in Smyrna, TN

… and if you’re craving some Wagon Wheels; Cream Crackers; or Revels in Tennessee, there’s a new shop in Smyrna, just south of Nashville, to satisfy your needs! Chris and Amanda Carson are the store’s co-owners. Chris is from East London and his wife Amanda is a Smyrna native. The pair met in London and maintained a transatlantic relationship for five years, before eventually getting married and settling down in Smyrna.

- SelectUSA Investment Summit

Tennessee’s UK representative Adam Breeze attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit, which took place near Washington DC on 23-26 June. Adam held meetings with colleagues from across Tennessee; took part in seminars and supported the UK and Irish delegations meeting with many companies that are considering US expansion.

- British HealthTech Mission to Memphis and Nashville

ABHI (Association of British Healthtech Industries) will be bringing a cohort of UK companies to Tennessee in September 2024 after their successful visit last year.

For more details on any of these stories or to find out the many benefits of expanding your business to Tennessee - please contact:

Adam Breeze

Director, UK & Ireland

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

+44 (0) 7738 593671

[email protected]?

TNECD.com