Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Christopher C. Puri has been appointed to a two-year term as chair of the American Health Care Association’s Legal Committee, which began in January 2024. He also was named a member of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.

2. State ex-finance chief to succeed econ development leader - Friday, June 3, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — A former Tennessee finance commissioner is returning to replace the state's economic development leader.

Gov. Bill Lee's office on Tuesday announced the switch involving former Finance and Administration Commissioner Stuart McWhorter and current Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe, effective July 11.

3. No turning back as automakers go electric - Friday, May 6, 2022

Here’s a good analogy about the nation’s ever-changing automotive conversion from cars with internal combustion engines to a fleet of battery-powered electric vehicles.

“A lot of people sound worried, but I like to compare it to leaving the horse and going to the internal combustion engine. So, now the motor is the horse, and we’re leaving it behind,” says Ferman Clark of Brentwood, a now-retired GM employee who worked at the Saturn plant in Spring Hill from 1990 through the mid-2000s.

4. Automakers drive south, powered by electricity - Friday, May 6, 2022

It began with Nissan’s decision to bring a manufacturing plant to Tennessee in 1983.

Four decades later, Tennessee serves as the home of three major auto manufacturers – Nissan, GM and Volkswagen – with Ford on the way, and is the North American headquarters for Japan-based automotive giants Nissan, Mitsubishi and Bridgestone, all located in the Nashville area.

5. Waverly among 10 picked for downtown revitalization - Friday, April 8, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — Ten communities around the state have been selected to participate in the Tennessee Downtowns revitalization program.

The state Department of Economic and Community Development said Wednesday that the selected communities are Alexandria, Copperhill, Cumberland Gap, Decherd, Loretto, Newbern, Oneida, Rossville, Tellico Plains and Waverly.

6. Ford, battery maker face job requirement for Tennessee plant - Friday, February 18, 2022

MEMPHIS (AP) — Ford Motor Co. and a South Korean company would have to create more than 5,000 full-time jobs at a planned electric pickup truck factory and battery manufacturing plant in Tennessee or pay back at least part of a $500 million state grant for the project, according to a lease approved Thursday by a regional board.

7. Electric vehicle charging company to build factory in Lebanon - Friday, February 4, 2022

NASHVILLE (AP) — An Australian electric vehicle charging company will establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Tennessee, an announcement that President Joe Biden on Tuesday hailed as being a result of the federal government's effort to build a national network of electric vehicle chargers.

8. Jackson site chosen for possible industrial development - Friday, October 8, 2021

JACKSON (AP) — A large parcel of land in Jackson has been selected by state economic development officials for possible industrial development.

The 316-acre site, which is served by a railroad line, is located near Highway 223 in Jackson. It has been selected to join the Select Tennessee Certified Sites program, which has helped communities prepare industrial sites for private investment and job creation since 2012, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development said in a news release Monday.

9. Gov. Lee: $500 million incentive package for Ford factory - Friday, September 24, 2021

MEMPHIS (AP) — Tennessee offered $500 million in incentives for the creation of a $5.6 billion campus where Ford Motor Co. plans to build electric F-Series pickup trucks at the Memphis Regional Megasite industrial complex, Gov. Bill Lee said Tuesday.

10. CEO of state-funded nonprofit Launch Tennessee stepping down - Friday, August 6, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — The president and CEO of Launch Tennessee has stepped down, a state official said.

Van Tucker had been serving in the role since December after previously working as the organization's chief operating officer, Bob Rolfe, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, said in a news release.

11. Pet product firm Chewy creating 1,200 jobs in Mt. Juliet - Friday, July 16, 2021

MT. JULIET (AP) — A pet product company plans to open a new facility in Tennessee that is expected to create 1,200 jobs.

The state Department of Economic and Community Development says Chewy hopes to open its new regional fulfillment center in Mt. Juliet in fall 2022.

12. Tennessee continues to reel in new companies - Friday, July 9, 2021

A couple of months into a season of reopening, Tennessee is faring well in terms of existing companies coming back online and the influx of new operators, says Bob Rolfe, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

13. Auto manufacturer to expand in Springfield - Friday, July 2, 2021

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Gov. Bill Lee announced Wednesday that an automotive parts manufacturer will expand its operations in Robertson County, creating nearly 100 jobs.

Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced in a news release that Martinrea will invest $40 million to upgrade its large presses, add more robots and welding cells, as well as add 30,000 square feet to its existing Springfield facility.

14. Roadtec to expand in Chattanooga, creating 128 new jobs - Friday, May 14, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced that Roadtec, Inc. will expand its operations in Chattanooga.

15. Pet food manufacturer to expand Wilson County facility - Friday, March 12, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — A new company expansion in Wilson County will result in more than 90 jobs due to an $200 million investment, state and company officials announced Tuesday.

A Tuesday press release from Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Royal Canin's Regional President Cecile Coutens said its Lebanon facility was expanding to help support the company's "future growth." The expansion will double the plant capacity with the addition of five automated production lines.

16. Global IT firm to open center in Nashville, create 350 jobs - Friday, March 12, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — A global IT services firm plans to invest $9.9 million in a new facility in Nashville that is expected to create 350 jobs.

On Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Nashville Mayor John Cooper and state economic development commissioner Bob Rolfe announced the project by Japan-based NTT DATA. The expansion also includes a focus on health care and manufacturing technology.

17. Tennessee announces nearly $15M in broadband grants - Friday, March 5, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Lee has announced that nearly $15 million in broadband accessibility grants will soon be used to support 17,800 unserved Tennesseans in more than 7,100 homes and businesses.

18. IT company to locate new delivery center in Knoxville - Friday, February 26, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says business consulting company CGI will locate its latest IT delivery center in Knoxville, investing $27 million in the operation and create 300 jobs.

According to a Friday news release, Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe say the Knoxville location will help its clients access U.S.-based IT services, support and solutions. The company spent two years searching for a new location.

19. Amazon announces $200M facility in Alcoa - Friday, January 29, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Amazon announced Wednesday that it will invest $200 million in East Tennessee to build a new warehouse distribution site that will result in 800 jobs.

Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe praised the Alcoa-based project during a virtual event with Amazon officials.

20. Lee: ICON Clinical Research to expand operations - Friday, January 15, 2021

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced that ICON Clinical Research, Inc. is expanding its Brentwood research operations to create 85 new jobs over the next five years.

21. Report: TN economy to grow, uncertainty remains in 2021 - Friday, January 1, 2021

Expect positive economic growth in Tennessee in 2021 but it may be rocky and somewhat sporadic as the state digs out of the recession brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee has released a recent report that takes a deep dive into the state’s economic forecast.

22. Cupcake Collection wins NAACP grant - Friday, November 6, 2020

Nashville’s The Cupcake Collection is one of 10 Black-owned small business winners of the NAACP Powershift Grant.

The company, which also has a location in New Orleans, was founded by Mignon Francois, who serves as CEO.

23. Tennessee announces $20M in broadband grants - Friday, April 3, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — Top Tennessee officials say nearly $20 million in broadband accessibility grants have been awarded to help support nearly 31,000 underserved residents.

Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced the grants to 17 recipients on Friday.

24. Mersen bringing $65M investment, 100 jobs to Maury Co. - Friday, November 8, 2019

NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Mersen officials announced today the manufacturer will invest up to $65 million over time to establish operations in Columbia.

25. Surface Dynamics launches $10M expansion in Tennessee - Friday, August 16, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced a nearly $10 million investment by Surface Dynamics LLC to expand its operations in western Tennessee.

26. Ingram to invest $22M in Jackson plant expansion - Friday, June 28, 2019

JACKSON (AP) — State officials say book printing company Lightning Source plans to invest $22 million in a facility in west Tennessee.

Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement that the La Vergne, Tennessee-based company plans to create 150 jobs over the next three years with its expansion into Jackson, Tennessee.

27. Mitsubishi Motors to relocate North America HQ to Tennessee - Friday, June 21, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Mitsubishi Motors announced on Tuesday that it is relocating its North America headquarters from California to Tennessee, a move that will bring the Japanese automaker closer to its sister company Nissan and strengthen Tennessee's growing reputation as an epicenter of the automotive sector.

28. Xtend Healthcare to expand Tennessee headquarters - Friday, June 21, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Lee has announced that Xtend Healthcare LLC is expanding its operations in Tennessee.

29. LG celebrates opening of Clarksville washing machine plant - Friday, May 24, 2019

CLARKSVILLE (AP) — LG Electronics Inc. has officially unveiled its first washing machine plant in the United States.

Company and local officials gathered Wednesday in Clarksville, Tennessee, to celebrate the South Korean appliance manufacturer's 1 million-square-foot (92,900-square meter) facility.

30. Tennessee panel OKs $10M for FedEx project in Memphis - Friday, March 8, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — A Tennessee panel has approved a $10 million economic development grant to establish the FedEx Logistics headquarters in downtown Memphis.

FedEx Logistics was one of five economic development deals that received the State Funding Board's approval Friday.

31. Icee Company establishing headquarters in La Vergne - Friday, February 22, 2019

MURFREESBORO (AP) — A national frozen beverage company is moving its corporate office from California to Tennessee.

Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced Wednesday that ICEE Company will establish its headquarters in La Vergne, Tennessee. The project is estimated to bring 200 jobs to the region over the next five years.

32. Tennessee names rural economic development official - Friday, January 25, 2019

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee's economic and community development commissioner has found his new rural assistant commissioner from within his department.

Commissioner Bob Rolfe has named Sammie Arnold as the department's assistant commissioner of community and rural development.

33. Caymas Boats bringing 280 jobs to Ashland City - Friday, November 16, 2018

ASHLAND CITY – Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Caymas Boats LLC officials announced today that the boat manufacturing company will establish operations in Ashland City.

34. Ernst & Young adding 600 jobs with Music Row tech hub - Friday, November 9, 2018

Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Ernst & Young LLP officials announced today that the global professional services firm will invest more than $20 million to establish a facility to deliver tax managed services for clients and tax technology operations in Nashville. EY expects to create more than 600 jobs over the next five years.

35. Barge builder to expand operations in Cheatham County - Friday, November 2, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — State officials say barge builder Arcosa Marine is investing more than $10 million to expand its operations in Middle Tennessee.

Gov. Bill Haslam and company officials said in a statement Monday that the expansion will create 300 jobs in Ashland City and Cheatham County in the next five years.

36. Electric motor producer to expand in Tennessee, add 300 jobs - Friday, June 15, 2018

LEXINGTON (AP) — An electric motor manufacturing company plans to expand its current operations in Tennessee, an investment of $18 million expected to create 300 jobs.

According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Nidec Motor Company will be adding new products and will modify its existing facility in Henderson County.

37. Tennessee OKs $20m in incentives for Tyson Foods facility - Friday, May 18, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tyson Foods Inc. will receive a state economic incentives package worth $20 million to build a new chicken production complex in Tennessee, a project that's expected to include $322 million in private investment and 1,600 new jobs within five years.

38. Tennessee OKs $20m in incentives for Tyson Foods facility - Friday, May 11, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tyson Foods Inc. will receive a state economic incentives package worth $20 million to build a new chicken production complex in Tennessee, a project that's expected to include $322 million in private investment and 1,600 new jobs within five years.

39. 12 communities picked for Tennessee Downtowns program - Friday, May 11, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — State officials say 12 communities in Tennessee will participate in a program aimed at revitalizing their downtown commercial districts.

Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe said Friday that the communities will receive a $15,000 grant to complete a commercial improvement project as part of their inclusion in the Tennessee Downtowns program.

40. Haslam to make Europe economic development trip - Friday, May 4, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe are heading to Europe on state business.

41. Clarksville lands auto battery manufacturer - Friday, April 13, 2018

ATLASBX Co., LTD, will locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Clarksville. The global automotive battery manufacturer will invest $75 million and create approximately 200 jobs in Montgomery County.

42. Tennessee officials announce $400k in agriculture grants - Friday, February 2, 2018

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee officials have announced more than $400,000 in grants to help new and expanding agriculture and food businesses, particularly in rural counties.

Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe released award information Monday for the first round of grants through the $1 million Agriculture Enterprise Fund.

43. Mega-hits, mega-misses with state-funded sites - Friday, December 1, 2017

Despite Tennessee’s growing automotive-manufacturing industry presence, and what would have likely been an enticing package of tax abatements and other incentives, Toyota and Mazda just took a pass on a huge tract of land near Memphis.

44. HealthTrustSM adds Prime Healthcare - Friday, November 24, 2017

Nashville-based HealthTrustSM, a health care performance improvement company, has signed an agreement with Prime Healthcare of Ontario, California.

The pact designates HealthTrust as Prime’s exclusive group purchasing organization, effective March 1. All of Prime Healthcare’s 45 hospitals and affiliated facilities in 14 states are included.

45. Official: Toyota-Mazda reject Memphis industrial site - Friday, November 10, 2017

MEMPHIS (AP) — A state official says Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. have eliminated an industrial site in Tennessee from consideration for their new auto manufacturing plant.

46. Haslam headed on Asia trade mission as Senate decision looms - Friday, September 29, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam is headed on trade mission to Asia next week to pitch companies in Japan and South Korea about investment opportunities in Tennessee.

The trip comes as Haslam mulls whether to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by fellow Republican Bob Corker, a close family friend. Haslam has said he will announce his decision on that race by the end of the week.

47. Haslam taking business recruiting trip to Europe - Friday, June 23, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam is headed to Europe next week to try to recruit more foreign investment in Tennessee.

Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe plant to visit the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Germany. They are scheduled to leave on Monday and return June 30.

48. Memory foam maker Sinomax celebrates opening of 1st US plant - Friday, June 2, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — Memory foam maker Sinomax Group is opening its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Tennessee.

The 500,000-square-foot plant will formally open its doors in the Nashville community of La Vergne on Tuesday. The facility is expected to create 350 jobs.

49. Haslam names Rolfe as commissioner of economic development - Friday, February 17, 2017

NASHVILLE (AP) — Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has named Nashville businessman Bob Rolfe as the new commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.