NTT Data, a global IT services provider, announced plans to establish its digital innovation center in Nashville, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 350 jobs and investing $9.9 million in the digital delivery center, including a focus on healthcare and manufacturing technology. Economic development partners include Nashville Electric Service, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. This project helps further TVA’s mission to serve the people of the Valley by creating a better quality of life.
.
Royal Canin, a Mars Petcare brand and global leader in pet health nutrition, announced plans to expand operations in Lebanon, Tennessee. Plans for the project include adding 90 new jobs and investing $200 million to support the company’s future growth. Economic development partners include Middle Tennessee Electric, Joint Economic and Community Development Board of Wilson County and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. This project helps to further TVA’s mission to improve the quality of life for the people of the Valle
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ― The Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced Wednesday they are partnering to develop a statewide electric vehicle fast charging network to power the growth of EVs across Tennessee and reduce barriers to transportation electrification.
TDEC and TVA signed an agreement to collaborate and fund a network of fast charging stations every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways. This initiative would add approximately 50 new charging locations, tripling the existing fast charging network. There are only 24 fast charging locations currently operating in Tennessee that are open to all consumers and support both charging standards common to EVs.
“This investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a monumental step forward, and I’m proud that Tennessee is leading in this important effort,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said. “With TVA’s partnership, we will be able to continue our work to protect our environment and improve our transportation infrastructure.”
“Innovative partnerships with state agencies like TDEC and our local power companies are essential in developing one of the nation’s most comprehensive EV fast charging networks, starting in Tennessee,” TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash said. “Through this partnership, TVA is positioned to be a national leader in electric transportation by making it easier for local power companies to install fast charging stations, which make electric vehicles an easy choice for consumers to make.”
A network of public fast charging stations will promote EV growth by giving drivers more confidence that they’ll have easy access to refueling while they’re away from home, eliminating so-called “range anxiety” that keeps many consumers from considering EVs a viable option.
TVA, the nation’s largest public power provider, says EV adoption will spur jobs and economic investment in the region, keep refueling dollars in the local economy, reduce the region’s largest source of carbon emissions, and save drivers and fleets money.
“This agreement shows TDEC’s ongoing commitment to a clean environment,” TDEC Commissioner David Salyers said. “This is an exciting development for Tennesseans, and we are pleased to partner with TVA on this project that will benefit rural and urban communities alike.”
TDEC and TVA will leverage various funding sources to support the development of the fast charging network with an anticipated project cost of $20 million. TDEC has committed 15 percent, the maximum allowable, of the State’s Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation allocation to fund light-duty EV charging infrastructure. Approximately $5 million from this fund is expected to be allocated to fast charging infrastructure along corridors. The remainder of the project will be funded by TVA, other program partners, and program participant cost share.
The agreement reflects recommendations outlined in the Tennessee Statewide EV Charging Infrastructure Needs Assessment, conducted in 2019 by Drive Electric Tennessee, a consortium that includes TDEC, TVA and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The agreement will support Drive Electric Tennessee’s goal of 200,000 light-duty EVs in Tennessee by 2028. As of December 2020, 11,034 light-duty EVs were registered in Tennessee.
TVA is working with a group of local power companies to design a charging station experience convenient for drivers, located close to major highways, and featuring access to amenities that drivers expect.
To learn more about this partnership, the Memorandum of Agreement, and Tennessee’s Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust Beneficiary Mitigation Plan, visit www.tva.com/ev and www.tn.gov/EVFastCharge.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies, and state and local governments, with economic development and job creation.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation exists to enhance the quality of life for citizens of Tennessee and to be stewards of our natural environment by protecting and improving the quality of Tennessee’s air, land, and water through a responsible regulatory system; protecting and promoting human health and safety; conserving and promoting natural, cultural and historic resources; and providing a variety of quality outdoor recreational experiences.
Our media staff is available 24 hours a day. If you cannot reach the contact above, please call our media line at 865-632-6000.
Confluent Medical, a manufacturer of high-performance medical tubing, announced plans to locate operations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The company plans to invest $8.3 million to expand its medical manufacturing capabilities and create 80 new jobs. Economic development partners include EPB, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton County Government, City of Chattanooga and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. This project helps further TVA’s mission of service to provide a better quality of life for the people of the Valley.
Kimberly-Clark, a leading producer of essential home products, announced plans to expand operations in Corinth, Mississippi. Plans to expand capacity and bring new capabilities to support the company’s growth include adding 33 new jobs and investing $140 million. Economic development partners include Alcorn County Electric Power Association, The Alliance, Alcorn County, City of Corinth, and Mississippi Development Authority. This project helps further TVA’s mission to serve the people of the Valley to create a better quality of life.
Gestamp, a leading automotive OEM supplier, announced plans to expand its Chattanooga, Tennessee operations. Plans for the project include creating 260 new jobs and investing nearly $95 million to upgrade facilities for increased capacity due to new electric vehicle production. Economic development partners include EPB, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Hamilton County Government, City of Chattanooga and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. This project helps further TVA’s mission of service by helping to improve the quality of life for the people of the Valley.
Kith Kitchens, a quality cabinet design and manufacturer, announced plans to establish operations in Florence, Alabama. Plans for the new facility include creating 131 new jobs and investing $11 million. TVA’s InvestPrep program helped to develop the site, allowing Kith Kitchens to become operational and meet the company’s growing business demands. Economic Development partners include City of Florence Utilities, Shoals Economic Development Authority, and Alabama Department of Commerce. This project helps further TVA’s mission to serve the people of the Valley by creating a better quality of life.
August Bioservices, LLC, a contract development and manufacturing organization supporting the pharmaceutical industry, announced plans to expand operations in Davidson County, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 180 new jobs and investing $64.7 million in the company’s Nashville headquarters operations. Economic development partners include Nashville Electric Service, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. This project helps further TVA’s mission of service to help create a better quality of life for the people of the Valley.
Stanley Engineered Fastening, a division of Stanley Black & Decker and producer of precision fasteners and other products, announced plans to expand operations in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Plans for the project include adding 49 new jobs and investing $6 million at the Christian County facility. Economic development partners include Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation, Southwestern Kentucky Economic Development Council, and Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development.
Genuine Parts Company, a leading automotive and industrial parts distributor, announced plans to establish operations in Lebanon, Tennessee. Plans for the new distribution facility, which will supply auto parts to nearly 300 NAPA Auto Parts stores, include creating 250 jobs and investing $50 million. Economic development partners include Middle Tennessee Electric, Joint Community Development Board of Wilson County and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
