Stuart C. McWhorter

Deputy Governor to @GovBillLee and @TNECD Commissioner. Husband and father of five. Co-founder of Clayton Associates. Entrepreneur.

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

The Tennessee Main Street program showcases what makes our state great: preserving the unique character of our rural communities while creating opportunities for Tennesseans to thrive.

Thank you to Crossville, Newport, Springfield and Loudon for partnering with @TNECD to strengthen their downtowns and make Tennessee an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

[TNECD @TNECD]

At the heart of every vibrant Tennessee community is a thriving downtown district, and we're proud to announce four new Tennessee Main Street communities today.

Crossville and Newport were added in September 2025 with Springfield and Loudon selected in May 2026. These cities join 46 other Tennessee Main Street communities that are designated through the program and @NatlMainStreet.

https://t.co/MAqmzNuR6u

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

RT @TNECD: Tennessee was proud to have a seat at the table today at the @WhiteHouse's American Quantum Innovation Summit. 🙌

TNECD Senior…

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

.@TNECD’s Community and Rural
Development programs help communities build the foundation for long-term growth and innovation across Tennessee.

I'm proud to see how Bledsoe County is putting our DSEW grant to work, and I look forward to seeing the continued opportunity this funding will bring to the community for years to come.

[TNECD @TNECD]

"Without TNECD, this program would be impossible,' Oxner said. 'We’re a rural school in a distressed county, and there is no way, as a school district, that we could put this type of program together.'"

In Bledsoe County, community leaders are utilizing a TNECD Digital Skills, Education and Workforce (DSEW) grant to institute drone and fiber optics courses at its high school, an investment that is powering real change on the ground.

Since 2019, TNECD has awarded more than $1 billion in funding to expand broadband infrastructure and digital skills across Tennessee.

Read more as we highlight our latest feature on the #Roadto100 and see how connectivity is transforming lives in every corner of the state:
https://t.co/IDZDZhUxwo

[TNECD @TNECD]

"Without TNECD, this program would be impossible,' Oxner said. 'We’re a rural school in a distressed county, and there is no way, as a school district, that we could put this type of program together.'"

In Bledsoe County, community leaders are utilizing a TNECD Digital Skills, Education and Workforce (DSEW) grant to institute drone and fiber optics courses at its high school, an investment that is powering real change on the ground.

Since 2019, TNECD has awarded more than $1 billion in funding to expand broadband infrastructure and digital skills across Tennessee.

Read more as we highlight our latest feature on the #Roadto100 and see how connectivity is transforming lives in every corner of the state:
https://t.co/IDZDZhUxwo

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

This will be @GovBillLee's final #GovCon before leaving office.

Save the date and join us as we reflect on his legacy of leadership and economic opportunity in Tennessee and look ahead to the legacy our communities can build for future generations.

[TNECD @TNECD]

📅 Save the date: #GovCon26 is set for October 1-2 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 🙌

This will be @GovBillLee's final Governor's Conference before leaving office. We'll look back on the legacy of leadership and economic opportunity that has shaped Tennessee, while looking ahead to the legacy each of our communities can create for generations to come.

Join leaders from across the state for conversations on workforce, AI, nuclear energy, data centers, community and rural development and so much more.

Registration and hotel blocks will open in late July, so stay tuned for more information. Mark your calendars now—you won't want to miss it. 😎

[Gov. Bill Lee @GovBillLee]

Tennessee has always been a frontier for opportunity & freedom in America’s story.

This year, @MariaLeeTN & I have had the honor of celebrating 250 years of American independence by traveling to all 95 counties — from Mountain City to Memphis  — meeting the remarkable people who carry the Volunteer Spirit.

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

Access to a shovel-ready site can be the deciding factor in whether a company chooses Tennessee or another state.

Kudos to the 10 communities receiving these grants for their commitment to preparing for future economic growth and investment. I look forward to seeing the impact today's announcement will have in their regions.

[TNECD @TNECD]

More than $13 million in Site Development Grants (SDGs) will be awarded to 10 Tennessee communities to help prepare industrial sites for future business investments.

Since 2016, this program has supported 220 sites, bringing new projects and nearly 8,500 jobs to Tennessee communities across the state.

Check to see if your community is a recipient ➡️ https://t.co/ms3VElqVvF

[TNECD @TNECD]

This week, Tennessee was showcased at the @IAmBiotech International Convention in San Diego, the world's largest and most comprehensive biotechnology event. Bringing together more than 20,000 industry leaders from around the globe, BIO provides an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and highlight Tennessee's leadership in the life sciences sector. 🧪 🧬

Tennessee continues to build on its momentum as a hub for biotechnology and bioscience innovation. Our state ranks in the top 20% nationally for Bioscience R&D, is home to more than 12,000 life sciences jobs and 74% of all research conducted in Tennessee is bioscience-related.

We're proud to represent Tennessee on the global stage and share why companies continue to invest and grow here. 🙌 #BIO2026

@LifeSciTN
@nashchamber
@ORNL
@LaunchTN
@UTKnoxville
@VanderbiltU
@etsu
@tennesseetech
@MTSU

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

I enjoyed spending time this week in Greenville, South Carolina, representing Tennessee at the 2026 SEUS-CP Conference.

It was great to catch up with Governor @BrianKempGA, South Carolina Governor @henrymcmaster and other leaders from across the Southeast and Eastern Canada to discuss the industries shaping the future of our states.

Opportunities like this help strengthen our relationships and create new ways for our regions to grow and succeed together.

[Gov. Bill Lee @GovBillLee]

America’s leadership in quantum technology is critical to our economic strength & national security.

TN is proud to be a global leader in deploying quantum network infrastructure, & we’re grateful for the Trump Administration’s commitment to accelerating innovation & ensuring America wins the next frontier.

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

Tennessee's success in attracting foreign direct investment is rooted in something simple: relationships matter here.

We're grateful for the confidence that global companies continue to place in Tennessee. These investments reflect decades of relationship-building and reinforce our reputation as a place where businesses can grow, innovate and thrive.

[TNECD @TNECD]

Between a record-breaking investment from Korea Zinc, a unique partnership between Nissha Medical Technologies and @VanderbiltU and a massive nuclear commitment from @Orano_usa, the partnerships we are forging are built to last.

"Tennessee has always had a gift for making outsiders feel at home. It's a quality embedded in the culture—warm, direct, and built on handshakes that mean something. Over the past four decades, that same quality has quietly made Tennessee one of the most sought-after destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States."

Learn more about Tennessee's FDI success from Area Development ⬇️ https://t.co/zQG5OBCNVT

[Gov. Bill Lee @GovBillLee]

This year, we invested $400 M in transportation to support infrastructure needs for a growing Tennessee.

We thank the General Assembly for their partnership to expedite road projects & fund new projects across our rural & urban communities.

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

Enjoyed joining the @MemphisChamber's Mid-Year Forum yesterday to discuss what makes Tennessee a leader in economic development.

Strong partnerships between the state, local communities and organizations like the Chamber help us compete for and win transformative projects. Thanks for having me and for the great conversation about Memphis' future. 🤝

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

Honored to welcome @JapaneseFbl to Music City yesterday as they prepare for the @FIFAWorldCup.

It was another great opportunity to celebrate the strong partnership between Tennessee and Japan, one built on decades of friendship, investment and shared success, and we're proud Nashville and Tennessee can play a small role in their World Cup journey. 🇺🇸🇯🇵⚽

[TNECD @TNECD]

Congratulations to @tnentertains on unveiling its new logo. 🙌

We’re excited to see this new chapter for TEC and the continued growth of Tennessee’s music, television, film and creative production industries. 🎉

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

Honored to join @JASTennessee, @SenatorHagerty and Consul-General Shinji Watanabe in welcoming Ambassador Shigeo Yamada and other Japanese leaders to Nashville today.

As Tennessee’s No. 1 foreign direct investment partner, Japan continues to drive investment, jobs and innovation across our state. I was proud to share more about our state's vision for the future, including our leadership in nuclear energy and quantum computing, and discuss opportunities to deepen collaboration with our Japanese partners.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and further strengthening this partnership as we host the SEUS/Japan Annual Joint Meeting in Nashville this October.

[Stuart C. McWhorter @CommishTNECD]

The work we do at @TNECD matters. Tennessee’s success comes from recruiting companies that don’t just invest here but grow here.

Portland is emerging as a hub where advanced manufacturing and next-generation energy infrastructure intersect, highlighting the value of attracting businesses that drive innovation, investment and job creation.

[TNECD @TNECD]

Highlighted by multiple major projects and milestones in recent years, including @ShoalsTech’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Mega Facility just last month, Portland, Tennessee, is quickly emerging as a hub where advanced manufacturing and next-generation energy infrastructure intersect.

"Amid the farm fields and small towns north of Nashville, a wave of advanced manufacturing investments is transforming Portland and surrounding communities into a center for energy innovation. From solar and battery storage infrastructure to mission-critical power systems, companies are creating thousands of jobs while helping build the technologies that will power the next generation of domestic energy production."

Read more from The @Tennessean:
https://t.co/Kep1IAL3bL

[TNECD @TNECD]

A major move from one of Tennessee’s leading companies. ⬇️

@HCAhealthcare’s acquisition of @CHCPedu signals a growing focus on the future of workforce development in healthcare, building stronger talent pipelines, expanding access to training and creating new pathways into high-demand careers.

Another example of a Tennessee-based company leading through innovation and long-term vision. 👏

Read more: https://t.co/6h01hFqsI1

[TNECD @TNECD]

Deputy Governor/@CommishTNECD Stuart C. McWhorter and Deputy Commissioner Allen Borden joined former Governor @BillHaslam and @Bridgestone Corporation Global CEO Yasuhiro Morita last week to discuss preparations for the 48th Annual Joint Meeting between the Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS/Japan) and its Japanese counterpart, the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association (Japan-USSE) in Nashville this October.

Governor Haslam will serve as Chairman alongside Mr. Morita, who will serve with Mr. Masaaki Tsuya as Japan’s Joint Co-Chairs.

Conversations like these are critical to the state’s longstanding relationships with Japanese business leaders and underscore our continued commitment to international partnership and foreign direct investment. 🤝

[Gov. Bill Lee @GovBillLee]

Tennessee is ready to welcome @NFL fans to the new @Titans stadium for Super Bowl LXIV in 2030. 🏈

We look forward to showcasing the best of Tennessee while driving tourism & economic growth statewide, & we thank the strong partners who have supported this historic opportunity.