Engineering a Greener Economy
What if one of Tennessee's next major manufacturing materials started as a crop instead of a chemical? A new statewide partnership is betting that underused farmland could help fuel billions in investment, thousands of jobs, and an entirely new chapter for the state's economy.
A Different Kind of Cash Crop
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is helping lead the BRIDGES Engine, a National Science Foundation initiative that could receive up to $160 million over the next decade to grow Tennessee's biobased manufacturing economy. Working alongside HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Auburn University, AGgrow Tech LLC, Volkswagen Group of America, and dozens of additional partners, the project aims to turn underused farmland into a valuable new resource. Instead of sitting idle, those acres could produce specially developed perennial grasses that become the raw material for products people use every day.
Those grasses can be processed into renewable materials for:
- Automotive components
- Construction materials
- Sustainable packaging
- Other advanced manufactured products
The approach creates a new opportunity for Tennessee farmers while giving manufacturers a renewable source of raw materials grown much closer to where they'll eventually be used.
Big Potential Beyond the Farm
The projected impact extends well beyond the fields. BRIDGES leaders estimate the initiative could:
- Generate tens of millions of dollars in additional annual income for Tennessee farmers
- Attract more than $2 billion in private investment
- Create thousands of manufacturing and supply chain jobs
- Provide workforce training opportunities for more than 10,000 people
Tennessee is also backing the effort with a $10 million grant through the Department of Economic and Community Development's Federal Match Program, reinforcing the state's commitment to advanced manufacturing and rural economic growth.
For a state already known for building vehicles, appliances, and advanced products, BRIDGES represents another way to strengthen that reputation. By connecting research, agriculture, and manufacturing, the initiative is creating new markets for farmers, new opportunities for workers, and a stronger foundation for Tennessee's next generation of innovation.
Curious about the future of manufacturing in Tennessee? Learn more at https://www.guidetotennessee.com/manufacturing.
