Clarksville sees surge in jobs and investment from two global manufacturers
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Montgomery County, Tennessee is entering a period of rapid industrial growth with the announcement of two major manufacturing investments that together are expected to generate nearly 1,500 new jobs and billions in capital investment in the local economy. These expansions involve T.RAD, a Japanese automotive parts maker, and Korea Zinc, a global minerals producer, each choosing the Clarksville area as the location for significant new operations.
The announcements reflect mounting confidence among international manufacturers in Montgomery County’s workforce and business climate. Local economic leaders see the developments as a catalyst for further growth even as officials consider how best to support the resulting demand for infrastructure and services.
T.RAD facility to bring nearly 1000 jobs
Japanese manufacturer T.RAD North America has selected Clarksville for its first Tennessee location, committing $90.2 million to build a new manufacturing facility that will create 928 jobs over the next several years. The site is part of the Clarksville‑Montgomery County Corporate Business Park South, a certified industrial location designed to attract advanced manufacturing.
T.RAD specializes in heat exchange technology used in automotive and industrial applications. The new facility is expected to expand production capacity and allow the company to better serve customers across the Southeast region. The company’s decision was announced by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the state’s economic development leaders.
Officials have emphasized the importance of the local workforce in winning the project. Montgomery County’s proximity to Fort Campbell provides a reliable stream of skilled workers, including many transitioning military personnel whose training and experience align well with advanced manufacturing roles.
The addition of nearly one thousand jobs from T.RAD represents a significant boost to the regional labor market and underscores Clarksville’s growing reputation as a destination for international investment. Japan is Tennessee’s largest foreign direct investor, with more than two hundred Japanese companies already operating in the state, accounting for tens of thousands of jobs and billions in capital investment.
Korea Zinc announces record investment in Clarksville
Shortly after the T.RAD announcement, Korea Zinc revealed plans to acquire and transform the existing Nyrstar zinc plant in Clarksville in a project valued at more than $6.6 billion in capital expenditures as part of a larger $7.4 billion investment. The company plans to build a new integrated smelting facility that will produce a variety of metals and critical minerals.
Korea Zinc’s expansion is the largest private manufacturing investment in Tennessee history. The nearly 1,200‑acre project will retain existing jobs and create hundreds of new positions with competitive wages well above the county average. The expanded facility will produce industrial metals such as zinc, lead and copper, and strategic minerals including gallium, germanium and indium, which are critical for advanced electronics, aerospace and defense industries.
The project will be supported by a strategic partnership that includes involvement from US government agencies and private investors, demonstrating a focus on strengthening domestic supply chains for key materials. Construction is expected to begin soon with phased commercial operations targeted for later in the decade.
Workforce and economic impacts
The Korea Zinc expansion will retain about three hundred existing jobs at the site and add at least four hundred twenty direct positions, while also supporting additional jobs through suppliers and other ancillary economic activity. Local leaders estimate that total employment effects including indirect jobs could reach nearly fifteen hundred when taking into account broader economic benefits.
Wages for the new positions are expected to range from about $86,000 to nearly $200,000 annually, providing high paying opportunities in the region and supporting broader economic development goals.
Both the T.RAD and Korea Zinc projects demonstrate how Montgomery County’s workforce and infrastructure appeal to global manufacturers. Local economic development leaders credit factors such as skilled labor availability, transportation access and state support in attracting these investments.
Infrastructure and community planning considerations
Despite the excitement surrounding the manufacturing expansions, local officials acknowledge that rapid growth presents challenges, particularly in infrastructure and community services. Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden has highlighted the need for discussions with state and federal partners to address traffic flow, road capacity and storm water management needs associated with the increased industrial activity.
Proceeds from land sales associated with the T.RAD project are earmarked in part for storm water improvements to mitigate flooding concerns. Meanwhile, planning for expanded services and infrastructure is already underway as part of regional growth strategies.
Some community leaders also see a moment to broaden the focus of economic growth. Mayor Golden has suggested a temporary pause in recruiting additional manufacturing projects to allow the community to invest in commercial development, high quality retail, and other amenities that improve the quality of life for area residents.
Looking ahead to future growth
Montgomery County’s Industrial Development Board anticipates that manufacturing job growth will continue over the coming years as existing companies expand operations. Projections include adding thousands more manufacturing jobs by 2030, driven by firms such as Hankook and LG Chem.
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