CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - December 15, 2025 – Clarksville-Montgomery County officials today announced Korea Zinc, a $6.6 billion industrial manufacturing investment that represents Tennessee's largest direct foreign investment in state history. The project will create 420 new high-wage jobs at a 1,200-acre advanced manufacturing facility in Montgomery County with salaries ranging from $83,000 to $196,000 annually.
Korea Zinc marks the first refiner investment in the United States in 40 years and will manufacture materials currently provided from overseas sources, advancing domestic supply chain resilience and national manufacturing capacity.
"We're grateful for the partnership between the State of Tennessee, our local elected leadership, and the IDB Board; their collaboration made us competitive nationally for this project. Two deals totaling more than $9.8 billion in a few short years doesn't happen by accident. It'sthe result of a great business environment that begins at the State level,” said Buck Dellinger, CEO of the Montgomery County Economic Development Council. “LG Chem validated our workforce and infrastructure capabilities. Korea Zinc proves we can sustain that momentum."
The announcement positions Clarksville as home to two of Tennessee's three largest direct foreign investments, eclipsing Ford Motor Company's BlueOval City project near Memphis.
ECONOMIC IMPACT & COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Korea Zinc will generate substantial long-term economic benefits for Montgomery County:
- $288.6 million net benefit to Montgomery County over 20 years
- Montgomery County: $210M
- Clarksville-Montgomery County School System: $78M
- 420 new direct high-wage jobs with salaries ranging from $83,000-$196,000
- 320 retained jobs at existing operations
- 740 total direct jobs at the expanded facility
- 1,464 total jobs including spin-off employment through suppliers, contractors, and supporting services
The facility will be located at the former Nyrstar site on Moore Road in Montgomery County, spanning approximately 1,200 acres. The site's multimodal transportation infrastructure, Interstate 24, direct rail access, and Cumberland River barge capability provided a decisive competitive advantage.
Construction timelines will be announced by the company. Job creation is expected to reach full capacity by 2030, with phased hiring.
The project leverages Clarksville's unique workforce advantages, including approximately 360 soldiers separating monthly from Fort Campbell's 101st Airborne Division. Many possess technical training, security clearances, and operational discipline highly valued in advanced manufacturing.
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board approved a Tier 5, 20-year PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreement that phases in property tax over time based on the company's $6.6 billion capital investment and job creation commitments. The State of Tennessee extended a $45 million FastTrack economic development grant.
"The PILOT agreement generates $288 million in net benefit to Montgomery County and our schools over 20 years," said Josh Ward, Executive Director of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board. Without incentives, we'd have zero jobs, zero investment, and zero revenue. With it, we're building a tax base that will generate revenue long after the abatement period ends.”
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