Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe will travel to Asia June 17 through June 21 for an economic development trip designed to strengthen ties with Asian businesses and increase foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tennessee. This will be Gov. Lee’s first international economic development trip.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Rooms To Go officials announced today that the company will locate its new warehouse and retail outlet store in Wilson County. The furniture company will invest $69 million and create 200 new jobs in Middle Tennessee.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the leadership of the Tennessee Criminal Justice Investment Task Force as established by Executive Order 6. “We are committed to addressing all aspects of the criminal justice system to improve public safety and reentry in our state,” said Gov. Lee. “Our task force represents multiple perspectives including law enforcement, state agencies, crime victims and families, community leaders and formerly incarcerated individuals.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today that nine communities will collectively receive more than $1.3 million in Site Development Grant funding. The Site Development Grant program is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act supported by the Tennessee General Assembly for the last three years.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee appointed Rachele Gibson of Gibson County as the 28th judicial district public defender to succeed Tom W. Crider. “Rachele has passionately served the 28th district for years and is exceptionally qualified for this role,” said Gov. Lee. “We congratulate her on this promotion and look forward to working together.” Gibson has served as the assistant public defender from 2004-2008 and again from 2013-2019. Previously, she served as the assistant district attorney from 2008-2013. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin and the Nashville School of Law. Gibson resides in Bradford, Tenn. with her husband and two children.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Advanced Design Solutions Inc. officials today announced the auto supplier will invest $10 million and create nearly 180 jobs in Lawrenceburg.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Medacta USA officials announced today that the orthopedic and medical device maker will relocate its U.S. headquarters to Middle Tennessee from Chicago.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and ebm-papst, Inc. officials announced today that the company will locate new operations in Washington County.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released the following statement regarding death row inmate Don Johnson: “After a prayerful and deliberate consideration of Don Johnson‘s request for clemency, and after a thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the State of Tennessee and will not be intervening.”

Hematite will invest $11.5 million and create nearly 70 jobs over the next five years in Lincoln County. The company will retrofit a vacant industrial building at 49 East Park Drive in Fayetteville. Hematite plans to be operational in the third quarter of 2020.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee marked the close of the 2019 legislative session, a session which included the unanimous passage of his budget as well as the passage of his full agenda as outlined during his State of the State address in March. “In March, I presented our budget and a series of priorities which I believe will be foundational to making Tennessee a leader in the nation,” said Lee. “Working with the General Assembly leadership and members, we passed reforms that will continue to build on the momentum our state has seen in recent years.” Gov. Lee’s slate of priorities included 16 legislative initiatives to work towards strengthening public education and school choice, enhancing workforce development, addressing criminal justice reform and public safety, promoting good government and developing solutions for rural Tennessee.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Western Express, Inc. officials announced today that the company will expand in Davidson County.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Quality Iron & Steel, LLC officials announced today that the steel fabrication company will establish operations in Selmer.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Titan Medical Manufacturing LLC officials announced today that the company will expand its Tennessee presence and locate new operations in Henderson County.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today that McNeilus Steel, Inc. will establish a new manufacturing facility in Morristown, where the steel processor will create 72 jobs over the next five years.