Each month, TEAM TN features its partners that make this work possible. Today, we’re highlighting the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council. We spoke with Executive Director Cortney Piper about why advanced mobility is important to TAEBC and why the membership-driven organization joined TAEBC.
Why is advanced mobility important to TAEBC?
In 2013, we formed the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council to unite energy leaders across the state to celebrate and foster economic development and new jobs in the growing advanced energy sector. We define advanced energy as any technology that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure and efficient—including advanced mobility.
In recent years, we celebrated our state making a name for itself in transportation electrification. From Ford Motor Company’s BlueOval City to top-down buy-in from our state government, Tennessee is investing big in advanced mobility. We’ve even dedicated several Energizing Tennessee podcast episodes to the subject, including recent episodes with representatives from Ford, General Motors and NOVONIX.
Why did TAEBC sign on to TEAM TN?
TAEBC is a membership-driven organization. We have four commitments to fulfill to our members, which include:
- Help Tennessee become the #1 location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs.
- Support Tennessee Valley Authority and our local power companies’ efforts to become the energy companies of the future.
- Foster the growth of Tennessee’s advanced energy technologies and startups.
- Inform the national energy agenda.
Joining TEAM TN is one opportunity to work toward these commitments. In the past year alone, we’ve hosted several TEAM TN panels and talks at our events, including our annual Opportunities in Energy and Annual Meeting. In this way, we educate our members and potential members about strategic partnerships like TEAM TN that pave the way for a robust, thriving, advanced energy economy.
What does TAEBC hope to gain through the initiative?
Ultimately, we want to turn interest in advanced mobility from major automotive OEMs, logistics and tech companies into high-paying jobs for Tennesseans and new technology advancements for various industries.
What makes TN the right state for this kind of initiative?
TAEBC was created to champion advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy in Tennessee. We host events, educate public officials and business leaders, establish strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities and inform policy that expands and strengthens this industry.
There are so many advanced mobility assets already available in our state. Collaborating will make the industry even better. Tennessee is the ideal state for the TEAM TN initiative.