Media Contact: Gerald Witt, gerald@piper-communications.com

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Nov. 10, 2020 — The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council congratulates The University of Tennessee, a TAEBC member, upon receiving its prestigious designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

“The University of Tennessee is a tremendous asset to the state’s robust advanced energy economy,” TAEBC Executive Director Cortney Piper said. “UT’s expertise in energy, advanced manufacturing and materials is at the core of the advanced energy industry. That kind of expertise attracts world-class talent and private sector innovators to the state and region.” 

The University’s research partnerships are a significant driver of economic growth in the region. Teaming with Battelle Memorial Institute, the University of Tennessee assumed the management of Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2000. The University has since joined with the Laboratory to expand a number of energy-related research programs and partnerships that favorably contribute to the state’s advanced energy economy, which employs nearly 360,000 Tennesseans and includes more than 18,000 businesses that contribute nearly $40 billion to the state’s GDP. 

About Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council

TAEBC champions advanced energy as an economic development and job creation strategy. Advanced energy is technology neutral and includes electricity and transportation. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure or more efficient is in the tent. No other entity in the state concentrates specifically on this robust sector. We educate public officials and business leaders about Tennessee’s advanced energy economy, establish strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and inform policy that expands and strengthens the industry. For more information, visit: https://tnadvancedenergy.com/