$49.6M Investment Bringing 78 Jobs to Mt. Pleasant

Issue #674

February 26, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Friday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 69, low of 37

📰 $49.6M Investment Bringing 78 Jobs to Mt. Pleasant

📰 Kids Launch Their Own Startups at 4th Annual Acton TriStar Business Fair

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

$49.6M Investment Bringing 78 Jobs to Mt. Pleasant

A nearly million investment is headed to Mt. Pleasant — bringing 78 new jobs and marking a major international expansion into Maury County.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, and officials with Recticel Group announced that the Belgian-based company has selected Mt. Pleasant as the location for its first insulated panels manufacturing facility in the United States.

Recticel plans to invest $49.6 million at Cherry Glen Industrial Park, a Select Tennessee Certified Site, and create 78 new jobs. Once operational, the facility will manufacture insulated panels for the U.S. market under the brand name Trimo North America.

“Tennessee is leading the nation as the best place to do business, thanks to our skilled workforce and quality of life,” Lee said. “Recticel’s decision to open its first insulated panels facility here demonstrates the confidence international companies have in our state and will create even greater opportunity for the families across Southern Middle Tennessee.”

“I’m proud of the business-friendly environment we’ve cultivated that attracts businesses from around the globe,” McWhorter said. “Since Gov. Lee took office, foreign direct investment has accounted for nearly a quarter of all projects, and in 2025 alone, nearly 70% of our landed projects were the result of international investment. I look forward to seeing how Recticel strengthens that ecosystem from its Mt. Pleasant operations.”

Recticel Group operates 13 manufacturing facilities across six countries and provides insulation solutions designed to advance a carbon-free economy and improve quality of life. Belgian companies have invested nearly $245 million in Tennessee, creating more than 840 jobs through foreign direct investment.

“Launching Trimo North America marks an exciting new chapter in our global growth strategy,” said Jan Vergote, CEO of Recticel Group. “Our new Tennessee facility will manufacture high-quality insulated panels for a wide range of applications, including warehouses, gymnasiums, schools, industrial facilities and retail spaces. We look forward to becoming an active part of Tennessee’s dynamic and welcoming business community.”

Kids Launch Their Own Startups at 4th Annual Acton TriStar Business Fair

Observe the opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!

Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace. 

We will host up to 40 booths at the 4th annual Acton TriStar Children's Business Fair at 762 Beechcroft Rd. Spring Hill, Saturday, April 11th from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.

This event is sponsored by Acton Academy, Acton TriStar Academy, the Acton School of Business, and the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.

Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across this country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs and serve their communities.

What is the Acton Children’s Business Fair?

The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.

How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?

Jeff and Laura Sandefer and a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. That year, there were seven entrepreneurs and around 25 attendees. Now, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.

Is there a booth fee?

Yes, there is a $10.00 booth fee per table. (Not per person, a business with co-owners will only be charge for having 1 booth. Once your business is accepted Acton TriStar will send you an invoice for the payment.

How many businesses will you accept?

We will accept up to 40 businesses.

How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?

Application must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 2 participants per business.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, February 27th

Saturday, February 28th

Sunday, March 1st

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, February 27
Open Mic Night – Grinder’s Switch, 6–9 PM
Aaron Sizemore – McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00–9 PM
Tommy Wheatley – Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30–9 PM
Brittany Elise – Puckett’s, 7:30–9 PM
The Mulehouse Songwriters Series – The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Backlit – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Saturday, February 28
MFT – McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00–9 PM
Southbound Crows – Turnpike Tavern, 7:00 PM
Winter Series: The Bourbon Gospel – 7:30 PM
Resurrection – A Journey Tribute – The Mulehouse, 8 PM
Vintage Voltage – Gary’s Place, 8–11 PM
Rubiks Groove – Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8–11 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk