Rural Tennessee just landed another win. Gov. Bill Lee and Deputy Gov. and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced Friday that Valmont Industries will invest $45 million and create 84 new jobs expanding its manufacturing operations in Jasper, in Marion County.
The Jasper plant builds engineered steel transmission, distribution and substation structures for electric utilities — the backbone of the American power grid. As demand for reliable power climbs, the expansion puts Tennessee workers at the center of building it.
It is Valmont’s second recent bet on Marion County. In 2024 the company committed to 80 new jobs and more than $6 million in investment, and according to TNECD it reached that jobs goal nearly three years ahead of schedule.
“All of Tennessee succeeds when rural Tennessee succeeds,” Lee said. McWhorter added, “This project represents exactly what we are looking for in Tennessee.” Marion County Mayor David Jackson and state Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) also praised the investment.
Valmont is investing in local young people, too. Since 2019 the company has run a welding pre-apprenticeship at area high schools. More than 80 students have completed it, and 65 to 70 percent of graduates have been hired.
