We’re Ready to Innovate: How Maury County Became a Hub for Industry in Middle Tennessee

Agriculture. Phosphorus. Automobiles. 

For most of its history, the workforce and economy of Maury County, Tenn., have been defined by one of these industries.

But over the last decade, local leaders have shifted how they think about economic growth. Instead of looking to one resource or sector to create opportunity, Maury County has focused on attracting a variety of companies to make their home there.

“One of the things we're really proud of at the Maury Alliance is that we were able to take advantage of some of that great infrastructure that had been brought into the community because of some of those past industries and facilitate a renaissance and a diversification of industry,” said Travis Groth, Vice President, Economic Development, Maury Alliance. “We were able to build on those industries but also bring in new opportunities to the community as well. And now you really see the community re-blossoming.”

Many organizations moving into Maury County in recent years were specifically looking to move their industries forward. That’s why Parker Hannifin, a motion and control technologies company, chose Maury County for its new Parker Filtration Innovation Center. The center, which opened in 2014, houses world-class experts and state-of-the-art research and development equipment related to the industrial filtration industry.

More recent additions — including electric vehicle battery manufacturer Ultium Cells, professional haircare treatment leader Brazilian Professionals and oral care company SmileDirectClub — have only increased the flow of innovation emanating out of Maury County.  

In 2021 alone, Maury County received $2.4 billion in capital investment and announced the creation of 1,760 new jobs. Since 2020 — when Maury Alliance kicked off its five-year Align Maury capital campaign — the area has received more than $4.8 billion in capital investments and added more than 3,360 jobs.

“One of the things we're really proud of at the Maury Alliance is that we were able to take advantage of some of that great infrastructure that had been brought into the community because of some of those past industries and facilitate a renaissance and a diversification of industry.”

There are many reasons why businesses look to Maury County. But it all begins with location.

“Nashville is growing in all sorts of different directions,” said Jamie Stitt, Assistant Commissioner of Business and Workforce Development, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “And so [Maury County’s] location and proximity in Nashville is helpful, their location proximity. And being centrally located between Nashville and Huntsville is also beneficial.”

Stitt also said that Maury County’s investment in quality industrial sites like the Cherry Glen Industrial Park, as well as the infrastructure within these sites, are also major contributors to today’s growth.

With this growth comes an increase in the types of talent that are desiring to live in the area, Groth said.

“That builds upon itself; it creates an upward spiral because the competition for talent is likely the most important determinant right now for where new companies are deciding to locate,” he said. “So, as we become a more attractive place for new types of talent, that continues to drive new opportunities for the community as well.”

Because of this, Groth expects to see growth continue in Maury County over the next few years.

“Interest is staying really, really high. When we compare our year on year leads between the end of year 2021 to 2022, it’s almost dead even,” he said. “What’s changing is that the community is more focused on where and how it grows. We’re not interested in growth just to grow. Instead, we’re focused on smart and sustainable growth.”