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'description' => 'In the last two years alone, Kentucky saw an influx of more than $9 billion in investments from, among them, Japan-based Envision AESC for a new, state-of-the-art gigafactory to produce electric vehicle batteries in Bowling Green. It was the second-largest economic development investment in the state. ',
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'content' => '<p>“Just come to a state where Japanese companies have found success for the last 40 years.” That was Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s call to foreign businesses looking to expand in the United States.</p>
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<p>In the last two years alone, Kentucky saw an influx of more than $9 billion in investments from, among them, Japan-based Envision AESC for a new, state-of-the-art gigafactory to produce electric vehicle batteries in Bowling Green. It was the second–largest economic development investment in the state.</p>
<p><strong>Kentucky forges long-term partnerships built on trust</strong></p>
<p>“We are grateful for the 40-plus-year relationship,” said Gov. Beshear, who pointed out that Japan remains the Kentucky’s most important partner in terms of long-term foreign direct foreign investment, if you include the manufacturing plant of automotive giant Toyota.</p>
<p>Located in Georgetown, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky opened in 1986 and employs more than 9,000 people. The 36-year-old factory is commonly cited as the best example of a partnership with Japanese business built on trust.</p>
<p>“Once a company locates here, we grow with them for the years and decades,” Gov. Beshear said.</p>
<p><strong>Kentucky — the American home of Japanese companies</strong></p>
<p>Gov. Beshear is very grateful to all the Japanese companies that have established operation in the Kentucky and, as a result, created thousands of jobs in the state and improved the lives of many more local residents.</p>
<p>“Kentucky is a great place to invest in. We’re going to welcome (Japanese investors) with open arms,” said Gov. Beshear, who wants to attract new industries, whether it be electric vehicle parts, “green” aluminum, agritech businesses, or paper recycling mills.</p>',
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'description' => 'With social scientist and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois and educator Booker T. Washington listed among its historic faculty members, Fisk University deserves its recent accolade for being ranked by Forbes magazine as the No. 1 university in the USA in terms of academic stewardship. ',
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'content' => '<p>With social scientist and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois and educator Booker T. Washington listed among its historic faculty members, <a href="https://www.fisk.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fisk University</a> deserves its recent accolade for being ranked by Forbes magazine as the No. 1 university in the USA in terms of academic stewardship.</p>
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<p>Initially focused on liberal arts education, the university has built a reputation for excellence in its STEM programs such as life sciences, computer science, data science, and business.</p>
<p>As a small university with only over 1,000 students, Fisk has distinguished itself for building partnerships with business that deliver a return on investment for its students through its corporate internship programs and eventual permanent jobs that offer competitive pay.</p>
<p><strong>Tennessee can be an innovation partner for Japanese companies </strong></p>
<p>More than its history as the oldest higher learning institution in Nashville and one of the elite historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States, Fisk University has produced alumni that have excelled in Japanese companies, like Nissan and Bridgestone, as well as in the fields of medicine, education, public policy, and law.</p>
<p><strong>It has attracted a growing number of international students </strong></p>
<p>“HBCUs have always been remarkably inclusive. We have a growing Hispanic population. We have students from Nepal. That pipeline has really built up in recent years I think because of word of mouth,” said Fisk University Executive Vice President Jens Frederiksen.</p>
<p>In countries like the United States, where education cost is inflated, according to Frederiksen, more students are looking towards smaller institutions with a good track record in job placements in Fortune 500 companies, like Microsoft, Apple, and Google.</p>
<p><strong>Envisioning more partnerships with academia and industry</strong></p>
<p>“(Fisk University) is certainly very embracing of an international culture. It would be incredibly impactful to have more students [and faculty] from Japan,” said Frederiksen.</p>
<p>Aside from student and faculty exchanges, Fisk University is eager to collaborate with Japanese companies and industry partners that are already in Tennessee, in the U.S., or even in Japan, to attract and nurture more talent senior high school until university, providing them with of internship opportunities and eventual permanent jobs in prestigious companies.</p>
<p><strong>More Japanese set foot in the South </strong></p>
<p>“The Southern United States is a dynamic economy. The population is growing and the Japanese will find a cluster of other Japanese companies in the South, especially in Tennessee, working together,” Frederiksen said.</p>',
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'description' => 'Over many years, the University of Kentucky's Institute of Research for Technology Development (IR4TD) has counted Japanese automotive giants Toyota, Nissan, and Honda as its closest partners. In another fireld, Nippon Steel Corporation has also become one of the institute's most reliable collaborators.',
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'content' => '<p>Over many years, the University of Kentucky’s <a href="https://www.engr.uky.edu/ir4td">Institute of Research for Technology Development (IR4TD)</a> has counted Japanese automotive giants Toyota, Nissan, and Honda as its closest partners. In another field, Nippon Steel Corporation has also become one of the institute’s most reliable collaborators.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%202-University%20of%20Kentucky-Kozo%20Saito.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Dr. Kozo Saito, Founding Director of University of Kentucky's IR4TD</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In 2017, Toyota invested $1.25 million in IR4TD to create an automotive production engineering program at the University of Kentucky to address a significant need in one of the country’s top three largest auto-producing states.</p>
<p>The program aimed to attract more engineering students and produce more engineers trained in automotive production. The Undergraduate Production Engineering Certificate program teaches automotive manufacturing core processes and provides access to Toyota’s state-of-the-art laboratory and world-class engineering expertise.</p>
<p><strong>Partnerships with Japanese companies go beyond profits</strong></p>
<p>For Dr. Kozo Saito, Founding Director of IR4TD and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, the institute’s partnerships with Japanese companies are geared towards creating a positive impact on society through environment-friendly projects.</p>
<p>“We like to do business [that is] based on clean technology and a sustainable society,” said Saito, who pointed out that Toyota remains deeply commitment to participate in sustainable initiatives without “seeking some immediate return from its support.”</p>
<p> “The greater good can only be achieved by working together,” he added.</p>',
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'title' => 'Kentucky and Japan aren't that different - Here's why',
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'description' => 'As the Japan/America Society of Kentucky celebrates its 35th anniversary, David Carpenter, the organization's President and Honorary Consul of Japan in Lexington, sat down with GMI POST to paint a picture of the relationship between Japan and Kentucky. ',
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'content' => '<p>As the <a href="https://www.jask.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japan/America Society of Kentucky</a> celebrates its 35th anniversary, David Carpenter, the organization’s President and Honorary Consul of Japan in Lexington, sat down with GMI POST to paint a picture of the relationship between Japan and Kentucky.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH-USA-NL-WK-1-Japan-America-Society-Kentucky-David-Carpenter.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">David Carpenter, Japan/America Society of Kentucky President and Honorary Consul of Japan in Lexington</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For Carpenter, the State of Kentucky and Japan enjoy a “robust and dynamic” relationship that runs deeper than any official document because of their shared core values, namely respect for deep family ties, a commitment to lasting relationships, and dedication to strong work ethic. He further points to these shared values as the bedrock and main drivers of growth behind the booming Japan-Kentucky relationship. With nearly 200 Japanese-owned companies operating in the state today, Japan is the largest foreign investor in Kentucky.</p>
<p><strong>“</strong>Kentucky has 120 counties. Yet, everybody that you talk to has some connection to Japan. I have a brother that works at Toyota. My son studies Japanese. My grandchildren are interested in <em>anime</em> and Pokemon,” said Carpenter, who emphasized how these shared connections are crucial to effectively bridging cultural and communication gaps between communities.</p>
<p>“If you want to form really strong bonds, your conversations have to go beyond the workplace,” the honorary consul added.</p>
<p>A good example of how the Japan/America Society of Kentucky nurtures these relationships is through its language classes, golf tournaments, and other community programs that have paved the way for favorable personal and business relationships.</p>
<p><strong>What’s the future of the Japan-Kentucky relationship? </strong></p>
<p>If the billions of dollars from new Japanese investments across a diverse range of sectors is any indication, like Jim Beam, Envision AESC, Toyota<em>,</em> the link between Japan and Kentucky looks stronger than ever. And the fruits of those ties go beyond the economy.</p>
<p>Carpenter shared that he already had high-level conversations with the U.S. State Department on creating more cultural and educational exchange programs between Japan and Kentucky. He also told GMI POST of his goal to establish a Japanese immersion school right in the heart of Kentucky.</p>
<p>True to Kentucky’s state motto<em> “United we stand. Divided we fall”, </em>Carpenter believes that the Japanese-Kentucky relationship runs deeper than its common appreciation for development, excellence, and innovation. Rather, a shared understanding of the value of relationships and community spirit makes Kentucky an exceptional choice for Japanese businesses.</p>',
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'title' => 'Knoxville - the Industry 4.0 hub in Tennessee',
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'description' => 'Since 1869, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce has built its reputation as the leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce released its five-year strategic plan, called Path to Prosperity, to create an economic ecosystem that will fuel growth for existing industries, create future business opportunities, and generate more employment. ',
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'content' => '<p>Since 1869, the <a href="https://www.knoxvillechamber.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Knoxville Chamber</a> has built its reputation as a leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamber released its five-year strategic plan, called <em>Path to Prosperity,</em> to create an economic ecosystem that will fuel growth for existing industries, create future business opportunities, and generate more employment. This ecosystem will cover small businesses, talent and workforce development, entrepreneurial development programs, infrastructure, research and development, and the traditional economic development areas.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH-USA-NL-WK-1-Knoxville-Chamber-of-Commerce-Doug-Lawyer-1.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Doug Lawyer, Knoxville Chamber Vice President of Economic Development</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Knox County, the third-largest county in Tennessee, has seen significant growth in employment, adding around 9,000 new people to the workforce. Knoxville Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development Doug Lawyer said the organization has “seen both existing businesses expanding as well as new companies coming in, with good mix of industry types — from information technology and cybersecurity-type operations to traditional manufacturing to logistics services are areas that we’re seeing a lot of growth in.”</p>
<p>Lawyer stressed the importance of research and development in economic growth. In fact, Knoxville houses some world-class technology assets: the University of Tennessee, a major research university; the Tennessee Valley Authority, an electric utility corporation in the USA; and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the world’s premier research institution that houses the world’s fastest supercomputer.</p>
<p>The group intends to continue collaboration with companies that can capitalize on their technology assets, such as the Japanese-owned DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., a manufacturer of electrification and safety components, instrument clusters, and automotive electronic products.</p>
<p>Other Japanese companies with a strong footprint in manufacturing and automotive components in Tennessee are EXEDY America Corporation, a manufacturer of drivetrain components and related systems, mainly torque converters and manual clutches; OTICS USA, Inc., an automobile part manufacturer; and JTEKT Corporation, a global leader in engineering and manufacturing automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools.</p>
<p>“Our value proposition is we feel we have very similar technology assets at a much lower cost of operation and just as high, if not better, quality of life than other places,” said Lawyer, who stressed that Knoxville’s technology assets perform at par with Silicon Valley or the Research Triangle.</p>
<p>Aside from being an Industry 4.0 hub, Knoxville also prides itself on having a dynamic Asian community, a vibrant cultural community, and amazing outdoor recreation assets.</p>',
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'title' => 'Alabama's game plan rests on waterways reliability',
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'description' => 'When Alabama saw growth in its manufacturing industry and became a major producer of metallurgical coals and steam coals, a group of business leaders, manufacturers, and statesmen gathered in Birmingham and established the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association to modernize the waterway system. Since its establishment in 1951, the association has decreased the number of locks and dams from 17 to six, resulting in around a 255-foot lift.',
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'content' => '<p>“We continue to look for opportunities to improve the Black Warrior- Tombigbee Waterway system. The name of the game in waterways is reliability. So, we focus on reliability,” stressed W. Wynne Fuller, President of the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img class="align-right" src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH-USA-NL-WK-1-Warrior-Tombigbee-Waterways-Association-Waterway.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Alabama's Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway provides easy access to the world market.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When Alabama saw growth in its manufacturing industry and became a major producer of metallurgical coals and steam coals, a group of business leaders, manufacturers, and statesmen established the <a href="https://warriortombigbee.com/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association</a> in 1951 to focus on improving the waterway system.</p>
<p>Since then, its advocacy for modernization resulted in fewer but much larger, higher lift locks over the length of the waterway that connected mining, refining, and steel companies to the Port of Mobile, a major transportation hub with access to global markets.</p>
<p>Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association also collaborates with the federal and state agencies to ensure the round-the-clock safety of waterway operators, users, and shippers, the smooth operation of the transportation corridor all year round, and the readiness of its resources to address any waterway transportation conflicts.</p>
<p>The Association also supports economic development programs, working with the Department of Commerce and other entities, like the Alabama Chambers of Commerce, that provide educational facilities and training programs.</p>
<p>Such training programs are supported by the likes of the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the University of North Alabama in Huntsville, the University of South Alabama in Mobile, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.</p>
<p>While Alabama possesses abundant fuel resources, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, Fuller believes Alabama is moving away from coal-powered generation to achieve a green state status.</p>
<p>Despite the challenges throughout the USA, such as the supply chain and inflation, Fuller sees a bullish business landscape in Alabama, whether in aerospace or manufacturing materials.</p>
<p>“I see companies like Amsler Mattel and Nippon Steel. They’re making a $1.5 billion investment in a new electric arc furnace. It will produce a million and a half slabs of steel. In Mobile, Alabama, we’ve got Mitsubishi Polysilicon and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. We have the Japanese American Society of Alabama headquartered in Birmingham,” he said.</p>
<p>Fuller also points out that the state is attractive to the Japanese because they find common ground in terms of their work ethic and values.</p>
<p>“We encourage the Japanese to come to Alabama and to look at our waterways. There are tremendous investment opportunities. There are sites that have been developed that are waiting for industries with the vision and resources to create more great partnerships. We would just encourage people to come to Alabama and take a look at these opportunities on the waterways and become part of our state,” he said.</p>',
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'title' => 'Alabama: Why investors need to take a closer look',
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'description' => 'With a population of more than five million, Alabama is becoming a thriving center of business, thanks a deep pool of highly skilled workers, its low cost of living, and high quality of life. In the last few years, the state has stepped up efforts to attract more foreign investment, particularly from Japan.',
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'content' => '<p>With a population of more than five million, Alabama is becoming a thriving center of business, thanks a deep pool of highly skilled workers, its low cost of living, and high quality of life. In the last few years, the state has stepped up efforts to attract more foreign investment, particularly from Japan.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%209-AL%20Dept%20of%20Commerce-Greg%20Canfield.jpeg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Already home to familiar Japanese brands, like Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda, and Daikin, Alabama is keen to add to its roster of Japan-based companies and diversify its profile beyond the automotive sector.</p>
<p>“We certainly believe that reinvestments and new investments continue to pour into the sector with the increase in electric vehicles and the related technological changes that are coming,” <a href="https://www.madeinalabama.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alabama Department of Commerce</a> Secretary Greg Canfield told GMI POST.</p>
<p>According to Canfield, new businesses in Alabama should be focused on metals and advanced materials as they have a lot to do with the automotive sector, as well as with the aerospace sector, where the U.S. and Japan already have a thriving partnership.</p>
<p>“Alabama's strategic strength in space and aerospace presents itself as a potential opportunity for Japanese companies looking to expand their footprint in the U.S. We plan to spend some effort in that regard as well. We believe that it's time for us to work closely with our Japanese partners to capture some of their knowledge base,” he said.</p>
<p>Because of the presence of leading research universities, Alabama can become a secondary market for product development.</p>
<p>“I certainly think that Alabama and Japan have proven themselves to be great partners. Our workforce has learned a lot from our Japanese partners in terms of operating efficiently, focusing on quality, and challenging our operations,” Canfield said.</p>',
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'id' => '545324',
'title' => 'State Sen. McMahan: Improving the economy though wise spending',
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'description' => 'Mississippi has kept its doors wide open to international investors, aware that the southern state possesses many advantages that will attract a diverse range of industries, both traditional and advanced.',
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'content' => '<p>Mississippi has kept its doors wide open to international investors, aware that the southern state possesses many advantages that will attract a diverse range of industries, both traditional and advanced.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%209-MI%20Senator%20Chad%20McMahan.jpeg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Mississippi State Senator Chad McMahan</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>With his experience as a worker in the manufacturing sector and representing the northern half of Lee County, the most heavily industrialized part of the state, State Senator Chad McMahan is well-positioned to talk about why Mississippi is the ideal location for investment and new businesses.</p>
<p>“I want to be sure that the investments we are making in public education, artificial intelligence, and broadband internet will provide our young people the opportunity to have great career opportunities. I am so thankful for Japanese companies that are doing business here in Mississippi,” McMahan said.</p>
<p>Outlining the positive attributes of Mississippi, the state senator spoked about the hospitable nature of local residents, the affordability of land prices, the affordable cost of living, good weather all year, and the strong, capable workforce.</p>
<p>Despite the low cost of living, Mississippi has outperformed other states in terms of quality of life and worker productivity, according to McMahan, who pointed out the presence of Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Blue Springs, where the car maker is able to churn out more than a million car parts units faster than any other Toyota facility in the world.</p>
<p>McMahan also assured potential investors that Mississippi was a fruitful location for business because the local workforce is welcoming and hardworking, and him and his colleagues stay committed to invest every tax dollar work into the state and its public infrastructure and education system.</p>',
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'content' => '<p>With the growing awareness of environmental issues across the globe, every country has begun implementing measures to cut its own carbon emissions, among them government policies to phase out gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles and encourage ownership of electric cars.</p>
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<figcaption class="image-caption">Envision AESC Managing Director Jeff Deaton</figcaption>
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<p>And as electric vehicles become more popular, the technology to make them viable for safe, long-distance travel has developed rapidly. Leading the field is <a href="https://www.envision-aesc.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Envision AESC</a>, which has announced plans to expand its electric battery plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The company built its first U.S. in Smyrna, Tennessee and confirmed a third plant in South Carolina.</p>
<p>“Envision AESC is one of the world's leading lithium-ion battery manufacturing companies. We're headquartered in Japan and we're committed to research and development, design, manufacturing, and sales of high power batteries for electric vehicles as well as for energy storage applications,” said Envision AESC US Managing Director Jeff Deaton.</p>
<p>Starting out as a joint venture between Japanese giants Nissan Motor and NEC, Envision AESC has changed ownership but has evolved into a global powerhouse in the field of EV battery production. It employs more than 5,600 people in more than a dozen manufacturing and engineering plants, and R&D centers in Japan, China, the US, France, Spain and the UK.</p>
<p>“We work with a lot of strategic partners to develop these high performance batteries. Very high performance in terms of quality, safety, cost, reliability,” said Deaton, who takes particular pride in the company’s zero-critical incident record.</p>',
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<figcaption class="image-caption">South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council Executive Director Carter Hendricks</figcaption>
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<p>Unfazed by these disasters, state officials immediately went back to work, focused on a collective commitment to revive the economy and rebuild lives. In doing so, Kentucky has generated serious interest from various investors.</p>
<p><a href="https://southwesternky.com/">South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council</a> Executive Director Carter Hendricks has stepped up efforts to promote the competitive advantages of the region and vowed to be very responsive to the needs of every sector and investor, both existing and prospective.</p>
<p>“Our Japanese industry sector is very important to us and we would love to meet with the company headquarters that are currently located here, but also with new companies that may be considering operations in the North American market,” Hendricks said.</p>
<p>In October, Gov. Andy Beshear broke ground on the manufacturing facility of Ascend Elements in Hopkinsville in South Western Kentucky. Ascend Elements produces advanced battery materials from valuable elements reclaimed from spent lithium-ion batteries.</p>
<p>Hendricks stressed that Ascend’s move to the Kentucky will showcase the state’s preparedness to accommodate the fast-growing electric vehicle sector.</p>
<p>“In the last 12 to 18 months, we've had a lot of project activity. It has been very fortunate that we have many companies that are either investing or reinvesting here with several active industry expansions. We've had a good year, and as it's looking right now, the next several months are going to be just as busy and hopefully just as productive,” he added.</p>',
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'description' => 'Only three months at the helm of Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA), Justice Smyth says Tuscaloosa County in Alabama is a place where people can gain access to many tools and resources needed to build a successful business while also enjoying an incredibly high quality of life. ',
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<figcaption class="image-caption">Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Justice Smyth</figcaption>
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<p>As executive director of the organization, Smyth has a holistic approach to development. In addition to promoting Tuscaloosa County as an ideal place to locate a business, he is committed to forming partnerships with community stakeholders for the purpose of improving housing, education, healthcare, and recreation facilities in the county.</p>
<p>“Tuscaloosa has all the right ingredients for business to succeed,” he said. “Here you’ll find a talented and dedicated workforce, a favorable regulatory environment, low costs of living and doing business, supportive elected officials, and community leaders who are committed to taking Tuscaloosa to the next level.” </p>
<p>Tuscaloosa County is also home to the University of Alabama, which recently garnered the much-coveted Carnegie R-1 classification for research universities which represents very high research activity.</p>
<p>Smyth believes this designation is a “game changer” in terms of the county’s ability to attract high tech, high paying, high skilled jobs. “Businesses will have an opportunity to benefit from the world-class research being conducted at UA and have access to a workforce pipeline of top-tier graduates that are produced by the institution year after year,” he said.</p>
<p>TCEDA aims to build the local economy through strategic growth, engaging in traditional industrial development as well as an increased focus on positioning Tuscaloosa County as a leader in the knowledge economy. “While we will continue to support our existing industries, particularly those in the manufacturing sector, we see a real opportunity to diversify the local economy through innovation and sustainable growth,” Smyth said.</p>',
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<figcaption class="image-caption">Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber</figcaption>
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<p>Located in Madison County in northern Alabama, Huntsville is the state’s most populous city and played a special role in the country’s history. Nicknamed “The Rocket City,” Huntsville was the site of the launch of the country’s first space satellite, Explorer 1. Unsurprisingly, the city boasts the highest concentration of engineers.</p>
<p>“We occupy a unique space in the United States ecosystem. We have a very long history with international companies and a unique relationship with the Japanese and the European space agencies. We work in the aerospace side, the automotive side, and the genomic research side,” said Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the <a href="https://hsvchamber.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Huntsville/Madison County Chamber</a>.</p>
<p>“We are not just a one trick pony. We are not just involved in the automotive side, which is also something we are very proud of. The core foundation of our local economy are companies and processes that involve a lot of engineering,” added Cherry, who is also secretary of the Huntsville Industrial Development Board.</p>
<p>However, Vice President for Marketing and Communications Claire Aiello pointed out Huntsville’s relationship with Japan extends beyond business. As corporate citizens of the city, Japanese businesses have made donations to schools and various non-profit organizations in their own communities.</p>
<p>“Regardless of what business our Japanese partners are in, we are honored to have them here and value the relationship we have with Japan. We share a lot of similarities with our Japanese partners, like cultural values and pride in our own histories,” Cherry said.</p>',
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'description' => 'Following the protracted global economic slowdown that resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic, many cities across the world are well on the way to recovery. To build further on this trend, Mayor Tim Kelly plans to expand the Chattanooga's business network across the world, focusing particularly on Japan. ',
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'content' => '<p>Following the protracted global economic slowdown that resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic, many cities across the world are well on the way to recovery. To build further on this trend, <a href="https://chattanooga.gov/mayors-office" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mayor Tim Kelly</a> plans to expand the Chattanooga’s business network across the world, focusing particularly on Japan.</p>
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<figcaption class="image-caption">Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly</figcaption>
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<p>“Having been a Honda dealer for a number of years, I looked up to Ichiro Honda as one of my leadership heroes because of the way he led that company during the course of his life. The philosophy of partnership that Honda embodies is very much my personal philosophy also,” Kelly said.</p>
<p>In running the city, the mayor applies his experience as a business executive.</p>
<p>“As a fan of Japanese culture and their business culture, I realize that we need to cultivate relationships. Japanese companies understand the value of partnership and the value of partnership over time,” he said.</p>
<p>The mayor also sees the ideal partnership between an incubator of technological innovation, Japan, and a well-established manufacturing center, Chattanooga.</p>
<p>“It might be somewhat rare in the United States to have a mayor with my background in and skill set with Japanese business. Tennessee is one of the premier states in the U.S. for foreign direct investment. I'm a little partial but Chattanooga is by far the most attractive city in the state. So, if any Japanese companies are considering investment in this part of the world, I hope that they will give Chattanooga a look,” Kelly said.</p>',
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'description' => 'Situated between Birmingham and Huntsville, two of Alabama's largest cities, Blount County has harbored huge ambitions for the 12 municipalities that fall under its jurisdiction. Its location at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains has attracted a special sort of domestic tourist - enthusiasts of outdoor sports, like kayaking, canoeing and rock climbing.',
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'content' => '<p>Situated between Birmingham and Huntsville, two of Alabama’s largest cities, <a href="https://blountcountyal.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blount County</a> has harbored huge ambitions for the 12 municipalities that fall under its jurisdiction. Its location at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains has attracted a special sort of domestic tourist – enthusiasts of outdoor sports, like kayaking, canoeing and rock climbing.</p>
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<figcaption class="image-caption">Blount County Economic Development Council Executive Director Don Mitchell</figcaption>
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<p>Aware of its limitations, particularly its population (135,280 residents), Blount County also knows it possesses the right conditions that can attract more outside business and even investment from overseas. At the helm of this effort over the past few years is Don Mitchell, executive director of <a href="https://blountedc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blount County Economic Development Council</a>.</p>
<p>“It would be ideal if a company employs 250 people or less. We'd love to have an opportunity to see if we can match them up with something here. I think they'd be very pleased with the work ethic because that's something our companies have and why some larger companies are expanding here,” said Mitchell, who previously co-founded and led another economic development council in the state, and headed the chamber of commerce in Arab.</p>
<p>Blount County, according to Mitchell, is ideal businesses that require mid-sized tracts of land (between 20 and 870 acres) and a small workforce. For potential investors from Japan and other parts of the world, the county boasts a deep pool of highly skilled workers trained and educated in top technical schools in the area and leading universities in Alabama.</p>
<p>Despite the long road ahead and the huge challenges entailed, Mitchell and the rest of his team take the needed steps and field all queries from all over, confident that one day Blount County will grow into a robust, dynamic business hub.</p>',
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'content' => '<p><a href="https://www.auburnalabama.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Auburn in Alabama</a> has remained steadfast in its commitment to become an attractive and safe city, an environmentally conscious community, and one that is not just progressive, but also hospitable and responsive to the needs of everyone, locals and visitors alike.</p>
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<figcaption class="image-caption">Auburn City Economic Development Deputy Director Arndt Siepmann</figcaption>
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<p>Over the past few years, city officials and civic leaders have worked to make neighborhoods safer, increased access to education, especially for its youth, and create new economic opportunities for all its working residents.</p>
<p>Auburn has drawn in new business domestically and outside the United States. In fact, half the industries within the city are headquartered abroad. They have been successful at recruiting international businesses and the biggest draws for these institutions are its proximity to the Atlanta airport and the excellent public school system.</p>
<p>Arndt Siepmann, the deputy director of the city’s economic development department, credits his success the excellent hands-on support from their staff, which in turn, helps these companies ramp up and be successful. He noted that, Auburn is “a very fast-growing university town in a good location.” Because of that, companies will not encounter any difficulties recruiting and hiring highly skilled manpower.</p>
<p>To attract more business to the city, Auburn plans to strengthen its relationships with existing investors, believing that a good reputation and word of mouth are the most effective ways to publicize the assets and advantages of the city.</p>
<p>Down the road, when all of the city’s projects and initiatives have been completed and start paying off, other new business and investors from around the world will start heading to Auburn. Watch this space.</p>',
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'description' => 'Since 1869, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce has built its reputation as the leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce released its five-year strategic plan, called Path to Prosperity, to create an economic ecosystem that will fuel growth for existing industries, create future business opportunities, and generate more employment. ',
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'content' => '<p>Since 1869, the <a href="https://www.knoxvillechamber.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Knoxville Chamber</a> has built its reputation as a leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamber released its five-year strategic plan, called <em>Path to Prosperity,</em> to create an economic ecosystem that will fuel growth for existing industries, create future business opportunities, and generate more employment. This ecosystem will cover small businesses, talent and workforce development, entrepreneurial development programs, infrastructure, research and development, and the traditional economic development areas.</p>
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<p>Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Knox County, the third-largest county in Tennessee, has seen significant growth in employment, adding around 9,000 new people to the workforce. Knoxville Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development Doug Lawyer said the organization has “seen both existing businesses expanding as well as new companies coming in, with good mix of industry types — from information technology and cybersecurity-type operations to traditional manufacturing to logistics services are areas that we’re seeing a lot of growth in.”</p>
<p>Lawyer stressed the importance of research and development in economic growth. In fact, Knoxville houses some world-class technology assets: the University of Tennessee, a major research university; the Tennessee Valley Authority, an electric utility corporation in the USA; and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the world’s premier research institution that houses the world’s fastest supercomputer.</p>
<p>The group intends to continue collaboration with companies that can capitalize on their technology assets, such as the Japanese-owned DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., a manufacturer of electrification and safety components, instrument clusters, and automotive electronic products.</p>
<p>Other Japanese companies with a strong footprint in manufacturing and automotive components in Tennessee are EXEDY America Corporation, a manufacturer of drivetrain components and related systems, mainly torque converters and manual clutches; OTICS USA, Inc., an automobile part manufacturer; and JTEKT Corporation, a global leader in engineering and manufacturing automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools.</p>
<p>“Our value proposition is we feel we have very similar technology assets at a much lower cost of operation and just as high, if not better, quality of life than other places,” said Lawyer, who stressed that Knoxville’s technology assets perform at par with Silicon Valley or the Research Triangle.</p>
<p>Aside from being an Industry 4.0 hub, Knoxville also prides itself on having a dynamic Asian community, a vibrant cultural community, and amazing outdoor recreation assets.</p>',
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'title' => 'Kentucky is the capital of electric vehicle battery production - Gov. Andy Beshear',
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'description' => 'In the last two years alone, Kentucky saw an influx of more than $9 billion in investments from, among them, Japan-based Envision AESC for a new, state-of-the-art gigafactory to produce electric vehicle batteries in Bowling Green. It was the second-largest economic development investment in the state. ',
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'content' => '<p>“Just come to a state where Japanese companies have found success for the last 40 years.” That was Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear’s call to foreign businesses looking to expand in the United States.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%202-Governor-of-Kentucky-Gov-Andy-Beshear.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear</figcaption>
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<p>In the last two years alone, Kentucky saw an influx of more than $9 billion in investments from, among them, Japan-based Envision AESC for a new, state-of-the-art gigafactory to produce electric vehicle batteries in Bowling Green. It was the second–largest economic development investment in the state.</p>
<p><strong>Kentucky forges long-term partnerships built on trust</strong></p>
<p>“We are grateful for the 40-plus-year relationship,” said Gov. Beshear, who pointed out that Japan remains the Kentucky’s most important partner in terms of long-term foreign direct foreign investment, if you include the manufacturing plant of automotive giant Toyota.</p>
<p>Located in Georgetown, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky opened in 1986 and employs more than 9,000 people. The 36-year-old factory is commonly cited as the best example of a partnership with Japanese business built on trust.</p>
<p>“Once a company locates here, we grow with them for the years and decades,” Gov. Beshear said.</p>
<p><strong>Kentucky — the American home of Japanese companies</strong></p>
<p>Gov. Beshear is very grateful to all the Japanese companies that have established operation in the Kentucky and, as a result, created thousands of jobs in the state and improved the lives of many more local residents.</p>
<p>“Kentucky is a great place to invest in. We’re going to welcome (Japanese investors) with open arms,” said Gov. Beshear, who wants to attract new industries, whether it be electric vehicle parts, “green” aluminum, agritech businesses, or paper recycling mills.</p>',
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'description' => 'With social scientist and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois and educator Booker T. Washington listed among its historic faculty members, Fisk University deserves its recent accolade for being ranked by Forbes magazine as the No. 1 university in the USA in terms of academic stewardship. ',
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'content' => '<p>With social scientist and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois and educator Booker T. Washington listed among its historic faculty members, <a href="https://www.fisk.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fisk University</a> deserves its recent accolade for being ranked by Forbes magazine as the No. 1 university in the USA in terms of academic stewardship.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%202-Fisk%20University-Jens%20Frederiksen-EVP.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Fisk University Executive Vice President Jens Frederiksen</figcaption>
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<p>Initially focused on liberal arts education, the university has built a reputation for excellence in its STEM programs such as life sciences, computer science, data science, and business.</p>
<p>As a small university with only over 1,000 students, Fisk has distinguished itself for building partnerships with business that deliver a return on investment for its students through its corporate internship programs and eventual permanent jobs that offer competitive pay.</p>
<p><strong>Tennessee can be an innovation partner for Japanese companies </strong></p>
<p>More than its history as the oldest higher learning institution in Nashville and one of the elite historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States, Fisk University has produced alumni that have excelled in Japanese companies, like Nissan and Bridgestone, as well as in the fields of medicine, education, public policy, and law.</p>
<p><strong>It has attracted a growing number of international students </strong></p>
<p>“HBCUs have always been remarkably inclusive. We have a growing Hispanic population. We have students from Nepal. That pipeline has really built up in recent years I think because of word of mouth,” said Fisk University Executive Vice President Jens Frederiksen.</p>
<p>In countries like the United States, where education cost is inflated, according to Frederiksen, more students are looking towards smaller institutions with a good track record in job placements in Fortune 500 companies, like Microsoft, Apple, and Google.</p>
<p><strong>Envisioning more partnerships with academia and industry</strong></p>
<p>“(Fisk University) is certainly very embracing of an international culture. It would be incredibly impactful to have more students [and faculty] from Japan,” said Frederiksen.</p>
<p>Aside from student and faculty exchanges, Fisk University is eager to collaborate with Japanese companies and industry partners that are already in Tennessee, in the U.S., or even in Japan, to attract and nurture more talent senior high school until university, providing them with of internship opportunities and eventual permanent jobs in prestigious companies.</p>
<p><strong>More Japanese set foot in the South </strong></p>
<p>“The Southern United States is a dynamic economy. The population is growing and the Japanese will find a cluster of other Japanese companies in the South, especially in Tennessee, working together,” Frederiksen said.</p>',
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'description' => 'Over many years, the University of Kentucky's Institute of Research for Technology Development (IR4TD) has counted Japanese automotive giants Toyota, Nissan, and Honda as its closest partners. In another fireld, Nippon Steel Corporation has also become one of the institute's most reliable collaborators.',
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'content' => '<p>Over many years, the University of Kentucky’s <a href="https://www.engr.uky.edu/ir4td">Institute of Research for Technology Development (IR4TD)</a> has counted Japanese automotive giants Toyota, Nissan, and Honda as its closest partners. In another field, Nippon Steel Corporation has also become one of the institute’s most reliable collaborators.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%202-University%20of%20Kentucky-Kozo%20Saito.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Dr. Kozo Saito, Founding Director of University of Kentucky's IR4TD</figcaption>
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<p>In 2017, Toyota invested $1.25 million in IR4TD to create an automotive production engineering program at the University of Kentucky to address a significant need in one of the country’s top three largest auto-producing states.</p>
<p>The program aimed to attract more engineering students and produce more engineers trained in automotive production. The Undergraduate Production Engineering Certificate program teaches automotive manufacturing core processes and provides access to Toyota’s state-of-the-art laboratory and world-class engineering expertise.</p>
<p><strong>Partnerships with Japanese companies go beyond profits</strong></p>
<p>For Dr. Kozo Saito, Founding Director of IR4TD and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, the institute’s partnerships with Japanese companies are geared towards creating a positive impact on society through environment-friendly projects.</p>
<p>“We like to do business [that is] based on clean technology and a sustainable society,” said Saito, who pointed out that Toyota remains deeply commitment to participate in sustainable initiatives without “seeking some immediate return from its support.”</p>
<p> “The greater good can only be achieved by working together,” he added.</p>',
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'title' => 'Kentucky and Japan aren't that different - Here's why',
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'description' => 'As the Japan/America Society of Kentucky celebrates its 35th anniversary, David Carpenter, the organization's President and Honorary Consul of Japan in Lexington, sat down with GMI POST to paint a picture of the relationship between Japan and Kentucky. ',
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'content' => '<p>As the <a href="https://www.jask.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japan/America Society of Kentucky</a> celebrates its 35th anniversary, David Carpenter, the organization’s President and Honorary Consul of Japan in Lexington, sat down with GMI POST to paint a picture of the relationship between Japan and Kentucky.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH-USA-NL-WK-1-Japan-America-Society-Kentucky-David-Carpenter.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">David Carpenter, Japan/America Society of Kentucky President and Honorary Consul of Japan in Lexington</figcaption>
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<p>For Carpenter, the State of Kentucky and Japan enjoy a “robust and dynamic” relationship that runs deeper than any official document because of their shared core values, namely respect for deep family ties, a commitment to lasting relationships, and dedication to strong work ethic. He further points to these shared values as the bedrock and main drivers of growth behind the booming Japan-Kentucky relationship. With nearly 200 Japanese-owned companies operating in the state today, Japan is the largest foreign investor in Kentucky.</p>
<p><strong>“</strong>Kentucky has 120 counties. Yet, everybody that you talk to has some connection to Japan. I have a brother that works at Toyota. My son studies Japanese. My grandchildren are interested in <em>anime</em> and Pokemon,” said Carpenter, who emphasized how these shared connections are crucial to effectively bridging cultural and communication gaps between communities.</p>
<p>“If you want to form really strong bonds, your conversations have to go beyond the workplace,” the honorary consul added.</p>
<p>A good example of how the Japan/America Society of Kentucky nurtures these relationships is through its language classes, golf tournaments, and other community programs that have paved the way for favorable personal and business relationships.</p>
<p><strong>What’s the future of the Japan-Kentucky relationship? </strong></p>
<p>If the billions of dollars from new Japanese investments across a diverse range of sectors is any indication, like Jim Beam, Envision AESC, Toyota<em>,</em> the link between Japan and Kentucky looks stronger than ever. And the fruits of those ties go beyond the economy.</p>
<p>Carpenter shared that he already had high-level conversations with the U.S. State Department on creating more cultural and educational exchange programs between Japan and Kentucky. He also told GMI POST of his goal to establish a Japanese immersion school right in the heart of Kentucky.</p>
<p>True to Kentucky’s state motto<em> “United we stand. Divided we fall”, </em>Carpenter believes that the Japanese-Kentucky relationship runs deeper than its common appreciation for development, excellence, and innovation. Rather, a shared understanding of the value of relationships and community spirit makes Kentucky an exceptional choice for Japanese businesses.</p>',
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'section_summary' => 'As the Japan/America Society of Kentucky celebrates its 35th anniversary, David Carpenter, the organization's President and Honorary Consul of Japan in Lexington, sat down with GMI POST to paint a picture of the relationship between Japan and Kentucky. ',
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'title' => 'Knoxville - the Industry 4.0 hub in Tennessee',
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'description' => 'Since 1869, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce has built its reputation as the leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce released its five-year strategic plan, called Path to Prosperity, to create an economic ecosystem that will fuel growth for existing industries, create future business opportunities, and generate more employment. ',
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'content' => '<p>Since 1869, the <a href="https://www.knoxvillechamber.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Knoxville Chamber</a> has built its reputation as a leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamber released its five-year strategic plan, called <em>Path to Prosperity,</em> to create an economic ecosystem that will fuel growth for existing industries, create future business opportunities, and generate more employment. This ecosystem will cover small businesses, talent and workforce development, entrepreneurial development programs, infrastructure, research and development, and the traditional economic development areas.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH-USA-NL-WK-1-Knoxville-Chamber-of-Commerce-Doug-Lawyer-1.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Doug Lawyer, Knoxville Chamber Vice President of Economic Development</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Knox County, the third-largest county in Tennessee, has seen significant growth in employment, adding around 9,000 new people to the workforce. Knoxville Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development Doug Lawyer said the organization has “seen both existing businesses expanding as well as new companies coming in, with good mix of industry types — from information technology and cybersecurity-type operations to traditional manufacturing to logistics services are areas that we’re seeing a lot of growth in.”</p>
<p>Lawyer stressed the importance of research and development in economic growth. In fact, Knoxville houses some world-class technology assets: the University of Tennessee, a major research university; the Tennessee Valley Authority, an electric utility corporation in the USA; and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the world’s premier research institution that houses the world’s fastest supercomputer.</p>
<p>The group intends to continue collaboration with companies that can capitalize on their technology assets, such as the Japanese-owned DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., a manufacturer of electrification and safety components, instrument clusters, and automotive electronic products.</p>
<p>Other Japanese companies with a strong footprint in manufacturing and automotive components in Tennessee are EXEDY America Corporation, a manufacturer of drivetrain components and related systems, mainly torque converters and manual clutches; OTICS USA, Inc., an automobile part manufacturer; and JTEKT Corporation, a global leader in engineering and manufacturing automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools.</p>
<p>“Our value proposition is we feel we have very similar technology assets at a much lower cost of operation and just as high, if not better, quality of life than other places,” said Lawyer, who stressed that Knoxville’s technology assets perform at par with Silicon Valley or the Research Triangle.</p>
<p>Aside from being an Industry 4.0 hub, Knoxville also prides itself on having a dynamic Asian community, a vibrant cultural community, and amazing outdoor recreation assets.</p>',
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'title' => 'Alabama's game plan rests on waterways reliability',
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'description' => 'When Alabama saw growth in its manufacturing industry and became a major producer of metallurgical coals and steam coals, a group of business leaders, manufacturers, and statesmen gathered in Birmingham and established the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association to modernize the waterway system. Since its establishment in 1951, the association has decreased the number of locks and dams from 17 to six, resulting in around a 255-foot lift.',
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'content' => '<p>“We continue to look for opportunities to improve the Black Warrior- Tombigbee Waterway system. The name of the game in waterways is reliability. So, we focus on reliability,” stressed W. Wynne Fuller, President of the Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img class="align-right" src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH-USA-NL-WK-1-Warrior-Tombigbee-Waterways-Association-Waterway.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Alabama's Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway provides easy access to the world market.</figcaption>
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<p>When Alabama saw growth in its manufacturing industry and became a major producer of metallurgical coals and steam coals, a group of business leaders, manufacturers, and statesmen established the <a href="https://warriortombigbee.com/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association</a> in 1951 to focus on improving the waterway system.</p>
<p>Since then, its advocacy for modernization resulted in fewer but much larger, higher lift locks over the length of the waterway that connected mining, refining, and steel companies to the Port of Mobile, a major transportation hub with access to global markets.</p>
<p>Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Association also collaborates with the federal and state agencies to ensure the round-the-clock safety of waterway operators, users, and shippers, the smooth operation of the transportation corridor all year round, and the readiness of its resources to address any waterway transportation conflicts.</p>
<p>The Association also supports economic development programs, working with the Department of Commerce and other entities, like the Alabama Chambers of Commerce, that provide educational facilities and training programs.</p>
<p>Such training programs are supported by the likes of the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the University of North Alabama in Huntsville, the University of South Alabama in Mobile, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.</p>
<p>While Alabama possesses abundant fuel resources, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, Fuller believes Alabama is moving away from coal-powered generation to achieve a green state status.</p>
<p>Despite the challenges throughout the USA, such as the supply chain and inflation, Fuller sees a bullish business landscape in Alabama, whether in aerospace or manufacturing materials.</p>
<p>“I see companies like Amsler Mattel and Nippon Steel. They’re making a $1.5 billion investment in a new electric arc furnace. It will produce a million and a half slabs of steel. In Mobile, Alabama, we’ve got Mitsubishi Polysilicon and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. We have the Japanese American Society of Alabama headquartered in Birmingham,” he said.</p>
<p>Fuller also points out that the state is attractive to the Japanese because they find common ground in terms of their work ethic and values.</p>
<p>“We encourage the Japanese to come to Alabama and to look at our waterways. There are tremendous investment opportunities. There are sites that have been developed that are waiting for industries with the vision and resources to create more great partnerships. We would just encourage people to come to Alabama and take a look at these opportunities on the waterways and become part of our state,” he said.</p>',
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'description' => 'With a population of more than five million, Alabama is becoming a thriving center of business, thanks a deep pool of highly skilled workers, its low cost of living, and high quality of life. In the last few years, the state has stepped up efforts to attract more foreign investment, particularly from Japan.',
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'content' => '<p>With a population of more than five million, Alabama is becoming a thriving center of business, thanks a deep pool of highly skilled workers, its low cost of living, and high quality of life. In the last few years, the state has stepped up efforts to attract more foreign investment, particularly from Japan.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%209-AL%20Dept%20of%20Commerce-Greg%20Canfield.jpeg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Already home to familiar Japanese brands, like Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda, and Daikin, Alabama is keen to add to its roster of Japan-based companies and diversify its profile beyond the automotive sector.</p>
<p>“We certainly believe that reinvestments and new investments continue to pour into the sector with the increase in electric vehicles and the related technological changes that are coming,” <a href="https://www.madeinalabama.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alabama Department of Commerce</a> Secretary Greg Canfield told GMI POST.</p>
<p>According to Canfield, new businesses in Alabama should be focused on metals and advanced materials as they have a lot to do with the automotive sector, as well as with the aerospace sector, where the U.S. and Japan already have a thriving partnership.</p>
<p>“Alabama's strategic strength in space and aerospace presents itself as a potential opportunity for Japanese companies looking to expand their footprint in the U.S. We plan to spend some effort in that regard as well. We believe that it's time for us to work closely with our Japanese partners to capture some of their knowledge base,” he said.</p>
<p>Because of the presence of leading research universities, Alabama can become a secondary market for product development.</p>
<p>“I certainly think that Alabama and Japan have proven themselves to be great partners. Our workforce has learned a lot from our Japanese partners in terms of operating efficiently, focusing on quality, and challenging our operations,” Canfield said.</p>',
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<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%209-MI%20Senator%20Chad%20McMahan.jpeg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Mississippi State Senator Chad McMahan</figcaption>
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<p>With his experience as a worker in the manufacturing sector and representing the northern half of Lee County, the most heavily industrialized part of the state, State Senator Chad McMahan is well-positioned to talk about why Mississippi is the ideal location for investment and new businesses.</p>
<p>“I want to be sure that the investments we are making in public education, artificial intelligence, and broadband internet will provide our young people the opportunity to have great career opportunities. I am so thankful for Japanese companies that are doing business here in Mississippi,” McMahan said.</p>
<p>Outlining the positive attributes of Mississippi, the state senator spoked about the hospitable nature of local residents, the affordability of land prices, the affordable cost of living, good weather all year, and the strong, capable workforce.</p>
<p>Despite the low cost of living, Mississippi has outperformed other states in terms of quality of life and worker productivity, according to McMahan, who pointed out the presence of Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Blue Springs, where the car maker is able to churn out more than a million car parts units faster than any other Toyota facility in the world.</p>
<p>McMahan also assured potential investors that Mississippi was a fruitful location for business because the local workforce is welcoming and hardworking, and him and his colleagues stay committed to invest every tax dollar work into the state and its public infrastructure and education system.</p>',
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'content' => '<p>With the growing awareness of environmental issues across the globe, every country has begun implementing measures to cut its own carbon emissions, among them government policies to phase out gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles and encourage ownership of electric cars.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%208-Envision%20AESC-Jeff%20Deaton.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Envision AESC Managing Director Jeff Deaton</figcaption>
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<p>And as electric vehicles become more popular, the technology to make them viable for safe, long-distance travel has developed rapidly. Leading the field is <a href="https://www.envision-aesc.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Envision AESC</a>, which has announced plans to expand its electric battery plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The company built its first U.S. in Smyrna, Tennessee and confirmed a third plant in South Carolina.</p>
<p>“Envision AESC is one of the world's leading lithium-ion battery manufacturing companies. We're headquartered in Japan and we're committed to research and development, design, manufacturing, and sales of high power batteries for electric vehicles as well as for energy storage applications,” said Envision AESC US Managing Director Jeff Deaton.</p>
<p>Starting out as a joint venture between Japanese giants Nissan Motor and NEC, Envision AESC has changed ownership but has evolved into a global powerhouse in the field of EV battery production. It employs more than 5,600 people in more than a dozen manufacturing and engineering plants, and R&D centers in Japan, China, the US, France, Spain and the UK.</p>
<p>“We work with a lot of strategic partners to develop these high performance batteries. Very high performance in terms of quality, safety, cost, reliability,” said Deaton, who takes particular pride in the company’s zero-critical incident record.</p>',
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<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%208-SW%20Kentucky-Carter%20Hendricks.jpeg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council Executive Director Carter Hendricks</figcaption>
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<p>Unfazed by these disasters, state officials immediately went back to work, focused on a collective commitment to revive the economy and rebuild lives. In doing so, Kentucky has generated serious interest from various investors.</p>
<p><a href="https://southwesternky.com/">South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council</a> Executive Director Carter Hendricks has stepped up efforts to promote the competitive advantages of the region and vowed to be very responsive to the needs of every sector and investor, both existing and prospective.</p>
<p>“Our Japanese industry sector is very important to us and we would love to meet with the company headquarters that are currently located here, but also with new companies that may be considering operations in the North American market,” Hendricks said.</p>
<p>In October, Gov. Andy Beshear broke ground on the manufacturing facility of Ascend Elements in Hopkinsville in South Western Kentucky. Ascend Elements produces advanced battery materials from valuable elements reclaimed from spent lithium-ion batteries.</p>
<p>Hendricks stressed that Ascend’s move to the Kentucky will showcase the state’s preparedness to accommodate the fast-growing electric vehicle sector.</p>
<p>“In the last 12 to 18 months, we've had a lot of project activity. It has been very fortunate that we have many companies that are either investing or reinvesting here with several active industry expansions. We've had a good year, and as it's looking right now, the next several months are going to be just as busy and hopefully just as productive,” he added.</p>',
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'description' => 'Only three months at the helm of Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA), Justice Smyth says Tuscaloosa County in Alabama is a place where people can gain access to many tools and resources needed to build a successful business while also enjoying an incredibly high quality of life. ',
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'content' => '<p>Only three months at the helm of <a href="https://tcoeda.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority</a> (TCEDA), Justice Smyth says Tuscaloosa County in Alabama is a place where people can gain access to many tools and resources needed to build a successful business while also enjoying an incredibly high quality of life.</p>
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<figcaption class="image-caption">Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Justice Smyth</figcaption>
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<p>As executive director of the organization, Smyth has a holistic approach to development. In addition to promoting Tuscaloosa County as an ideal place to locate a business, he is committed to forming partnerships with community stakeholders for the purpose of improving housing, education, healthcare, and recreation facilities in the county.</p>
<p>“Tuscaloosa has all the right ingredients for business to succeed,” he said. “Here you’ll find a talented and dedicated workforce, a favorable regulatory environment, low costs of living and doing business, supportive elected officials, and community leaders who are committed to taking Tuscaloosa to the next level.” </p>
<p>Tuscaloosa County is also home to the University of Alabama, which recently garnered the much-coveted Carnegie R-1 classification for research universities which represents very high research activity.</p>
<p>Smyth believes this designation is a “game changer” in terms of the county’s ability to attract high tech, high paying, high skilled jobs. “Businesses will have an opportunity to benefit from the world-class research being conducted at UA and have access to a workforce pipeline of top-tier graduates that are produced by the institution year after year,” he said.</p>
<p>TCEDA aims to build the local economy through strategic growth, engaging in traditional industrial development as well as an increased focus on positioning Tuscaloosa County as a leader in the knowledge economy. “While we will continue to support our existing industries, particularly those in the manufacturing sector, we see a real opportunity to diversify the local economy through innovation and sustainable growth,” Smyth said.</p>',
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<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH%20USA-NL-WK%207-Huntsville%20Madison%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce-Chip%20Cherry.jpeg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber</figcaption>
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<p>Located in Madison County in northern Alabama, Huntsville is the state’s most populous city and played a special role in the country’s history. Nicknamed “The Rocket City,” Huntsville was the site of the launch of the country’s first space satellite, Explorer 1. Unsurprisingly, the city boasts the highest concentration of engineers.</p>
<p>“We occupy a unique space in the United States ecosystem. We have a very long history with international companies and a unique relationship with the Japanese and the European space agencies. We work in the aerospace side, the automotive side, and the genomic research side,” said Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the <a href="https://hsvchamber.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Huntsville/Madison County Chamber</a>.</p>
<p>“We are not just a one trick pony. We are not just involved in the automotive side, which is also something we are very proud of. The core foundation of our local economy are companies and processes that involve a lot of engineering,” added Cherry, who is also secretary of the Huntsville Industrial Development Board.</p>
<p>However, Vice President for Marketing and Communications Claire Aiello pointed out Huntsville’s relationship with Japan extends beyond business. As corporate citizens of the city, Japanese businesses have made donations to schools and various non-profit organizations in their own communities.</p>
<p>“Regardless of what business our Japanese partners are in, we are honored to have them here and value the relationship we have with Japan. We share a lot of similarities with our Japanese partners, like cultural values and pride in our own histories,” Cherry said.</p>',
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'description' => 'Following the protracted global economic slowdown that resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic, many cities across the world are well on the way to recovery. To build further on this trend, Mayor Tim Kelly plans to expand the Chattanooga's business network across the world, focusing particularly on Japan. ',
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<figcaption class="image-caption">Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly</figcaption>
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<p>“Having been a Honda dealer for a number of years, I looked up to Ichiro Honda as one of my leadership heroes because of the way he led that company during the course of his life. The philosophy of partnership that Honda embodies is very much my personal philosophy also,” Kelly said.</p>
<p>In running the city, the mayor applies his experience as a business executive.</p>
<p>“As a fan of Japanese culture and their business culture, I realize that we need to cultivate relationships. Japanese companies understand the value of partnership and the value of partnership over time,” he said.</p>
<p>The mayor also sees the ideal partnership between an incubator of technological innovation, Japan, and a well-established manufacturing center, Chattanooga.</p>
<p>“It might be somewhat rare in the United States to have a mayor with my background in and skill set with Japanese business. Tennessee is one of the premier states in the U.S. for foreign direct investment. I'm a little partial but Chattanooga is by far the most attractive city in the state. So, if any Japanese companies are considering investment in this part of the world, I hope that they will give Chattanooga a look,” Kelly said.</p>',
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'content' => '<p>Situated between Birmingham and Huntsville, two of Alabama’s largest cities, <a href="https://blountcountyal.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blount County</a> has harbored huge ambitions for the 12 municipalities that fall under its jurisdiction. Its location at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains has attracted a special sort of domestic tourist – enthusiasts of outdoor sports, like kayaking, canoeing and rock climbing.</p>
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<p>Aware of its limitations, particularly its population (135,280 residents), Blount County also knows it possesses the right conditions that can attract more outside business and even investment from overseas. At the helm of this effort over the past few years is Don Mitchell, executive director of <a href="https://blountedc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blount County Economic Development Council</a>.</p>
<p>“It would be ideal if a company employs 250 people or less. We'd love to have an opportunity to see if we can match them up with something here. I think they'd be very pleased with the work ethic because that's something our companies have and why some larger companies are expanding here,” said Mitchell, who previously co-founded and led another economic development council in the state, and headed the chamber of commerce in Arab.</p>
<p>Blount County, according to Mitchell, is ideal businesses that require mid-sized tracts of land (between 20 and 870 acres) and a small workforce. For potential investors from Japan and other parts of the world, the county boasts a deep pool of highly skilled workers trained and educated in top technical schools in the area and leading universities in Alabama.</p>
<p>Despite the long road ahead and the huge challenges entailed, Mitchell and the rest of his team take the needed steps and field all queries from all over, confident that one day Blount County will grow into a robust, dynamic business hub.</p>',
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<p>Over the past few years, city officials and civic leaders have worked to make neighborhoods safer, increased access to education, especially for its youth, and create new economic opportunities for all its working residents.</p>
<p>Auburn has drawn in new business domestically and outside the United States. In fact, half the industries within the city are headquartered abroad. They have been successful at recruiting international businesses and the biggest draws for these institutions are its proximity to the Atlanta airport and the excellent public school system.</p>
<p>Arndt Siepmann, the deputy director of the city’s economic development department, credits his success the excellent hands-on support from their staff, which in turn, helps these companies ramp up and be successful. He noted that, Auburn is “a very fast-growing university town in a good location.” Because of that, companies will not encounter any difficulties recruiting and hiring highly skilled manpower.</p>
<p>To attract more business to the city, Auburn plans to strengthen its relationships with existing investors, believing that a good reputation and word of mouth are the most effective ways to publicize the assets and advantages of the city.</p>
<p>Down the road, when all of the city’s projects and initiatives have been completed and start paying off, other new business and investors from around the world will start heading to Auburn. Watch this space.</p>',
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'description' => 'Since 1869, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce has built its reputation as the leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce released its five-year strategic plan, called Path to Prosperity, to create an economic ecosystem that will fuel growth for existing industries, create future business opportunities, and generate more employment. ',
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'content' => '<p>Since 1869, the <a href="https://www.knoxvillechamber.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Knoxville Chamber</a> has built its reputation as a leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamber released its five-year strategic plan, called <em>Path to Prosperity,</em> to create an economic ecosystem that will fuel growth for existing industries, create future business opportunities, and generate more employment. This ecosystem will cover small businesses, talent and workforce development, entrepreneurial development programs, infrastructure, research and development, and the traditional economic development areas.</p>
<figure class="image-container floated-right" style="float: right;"><img src="https://www.gmipost.com/img/uploads/Non-Report/Newsletters/JT-2022-SOUTH-USA-NL-WK-1-Knoxville-Chamber-of-Commerce-Doug-Lawyer-1.jpg" alt="" />
<figcaption class="image-caption">Doug Lawyer, Knoxville Chamber Vice President of Economic Development</figcaption>
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<p>Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Knox County, the third-largest county in Tennessee, has seen significant growth in employment, adding around 9,000 new people to the workforce. Knoxville Chamber’s Vice President of Economic Development Doug Lawyer said the organization has “seen both existing businesses expanding as well as new companies coming in, with good mix of industry types — from information technology and cybersecurity-type operations to traditional manufacturing to logistics services are areas that we’re seeing a lot of growth in.”</p>
<p>Lawyer stressed the importance of research and development in economic growth. In fact, Knoxville houses some world-class technology assets: the University of Tennessee, a major research university; the Tennessee Valley Authority, an electric utility corporation in the USA; and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the world’s premier research institution that houses the world’s fastest supercomputer.</p>
<p>The group intends to continue collaboration with companies that can capitalize on their technology assets, such as the Japanese-owned DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc., a manufacturer of electrification and safety components, instrument clusters, and automotive electronic products.</p>
<p>Other Japanese companies with a strong footprint in manufacturing and automotive components in Tennessee are EXEDY America Corporation, a manufacturer of drivetrain components and related systems, mainly torque converters and manual clutches; OTICS USA, Inc., an automobile part manufacturer; and JTEKT Corporation, a global leader in engineering and manufacturing automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools.</p>
<p>“Our value proposition is we feel we have very similar technology assets at a much lower cost of operation and just as high, if not better, quality of life than other places,” said Lawyer, who stressed that Knoxville’s technology assets perform at par with Silicon Valley or the Research Triangle.</p>
<p>Aside from being an Industry 4.0 hub, Knoxville also prides itself on having a dynamic Asian community, a vibrant cultural community, and amazing outdoor recreation assets.</p>',
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Knoxville - the Industry 4.0 hub in Tennessee
Since 1869, the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce has built its reputation as the leading business group in Tennessee. In May 2020, the Knoxville Chamb...
