Why Starbucks Is Moving 2,000 Jobs to Nashville - The Matthews Mentality Podcast | Lyssna här

In this episode of the Matthews Mentality Podcast, Kyle Matthews sits down with Stuart McWhorter, Tennessee's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and newly named Deputy Governor, to break down why Tennessee has become one of the country's most competitive destinations for businesses, jobs, and investment.

Stuart gives an inside look at how Tennessee recruits companies, supports existing businesses, and competes with other states for major economic development projects. From taxes and regulation to workforce development, infrastructure, logistics, and quality of life, he explains what companies are actually looking for when deciding where to invest billions of dollars and create thousands of jobs.

The conversation also explores the growing push to bring manufacturing and critical supply chains back to the United States, why economic development has become increasingly tied to national security, and how Tennessee is positioning itself for the next generation of American growth.

Topics covered in this episode:

- Why companies are relocating and expanding in Tennessee

- What Tennessee's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development actually does

- How states compete to land major economic development projects

- Why Tennessee's tax and regulatory environment attracts businesses

- The importance of workforce development and access to talent

- How site selection consultants influence corporate relocations

- The role incentives play in attracting new companies

- Why existing business expansions matter just as much as relocations

- Starbucks' plans to create approximately 2,000 jobs in Nashville

- LG Chem's $3.5 billion investment in Clarksville

- Orano's $4 billion nuclear fuel project in Oak Ridge

- Korea Zinc's $6.5 billion investment and the importance of critical supply chains

- Why bringing manufacturing back to America is becoming a national security issue

- Infrastructure, power, water, roads, and TVA's role in economic development

- The opportunities and misconceptions surrounding data centers

- How Tennessee coordinates across government agencies to move projects forward

- What happens when Tennessee loses a major business deal

- Stuart's transition from venture capital and business into public service

- The values behind Tennessee's continued population and economic growth

- Why Stuart believes one word defines what people are searching for when they move to Tennessee: hope

Stuart also shares the realities behind the headlines of billion-dollar economic development announcements, including the years of planning, infrastructure investment, negotiations, and collaboration required to turn a potential project into real jobs and economic growth.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, investor, real estate professional, or simply interested in why companies and people continue moving to Tennessee, this conversation offers an inside look at the strategy behind one of America's fastest-growing business environments.