Greenheck Group breaks ground in East Knox County, a monumental win for the community
The new campus will be at the Midway Business Park, and was a result of decades of collaborative work from numerous elected officials, economic development professionals, and corporate partners.
There were few dry eyes at the groundbreaking for the new Greenheck Group corporate office in East Knox County.
The HVAC giant chose the area for many practical and economic reasons, but perhaps the most influential were the intangibles — the feelings.
Rich Totzke, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Greenheck Group, said Knoxville reminds him of two words: humility and kindness. From the intentional support of East Tennessee’s elected officials, the Knoxville Chamber, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), Knox County Schools, and the City/County partnership, to the warmth of community members, Totzke praised East Tennessee’s people and spirit.
He shared that the corporation had considered placing its new corporate manufacturing location anywhere in the United States. They reviewed 200 locations across 10 states, ultimately choosing Knox County for its space, quality of life, and engaged community.
Background on the Breaking Ground
Greenheck Group purchased the entire Midway Business Park, which spans more than 330 acres. The park’s development began over two decades ago, when Congressman Tim Burchett (R) served as Knox County Mayor. He helped launch the effort and remained committed to seeing it through.
“The Midway Business Park was an important project and priority of my administration… I’ll always remember Jim Haslam calling me to say, ‘Timmy, what you did will make a generational impact,’” Burchett said. “I’m proud that plan has become a reality.”
Initially, economic development partners had envisioned recruiting three to six companies to fill the 330-acre site. So when Greenheck Group expressed interest in the entire park, it came as a shock — and a major win for the community.
The first phase of Greenheck’s buildout will include two 200,000-square-foot factories, creating 440 new jobs.
“That’s just the beginning,” Totzke said. “We are creating opportunities that will ripple through families for generations.”
Generational Impact of Greenheck
“Good things come to those who wait,” Knoxville City Mayor Indya Kincannon said at the ceremony. “I couldn’t think of a better partner for this community.”
One of her favorite aspects of the project, she added, is Greenheck’s eagerness to partner with local schools — particularly Carter High School.
During the event, Dr. Jon Rysewyk, Superintendent of Knox County Schools, Totzke, and elected officials announced that Greenheck will invest $2 million into building Carter High School’s engineering program through a partnership with Engineering Tomorrow.
“As a two-term Mayor of Knox County, I’ve seen a lot of ups and a lot of downs… Today is the absolute highlight of my tenure,” Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said. “Greenheck may very well be one of the biggest economic development projects in Knox County history.”
One Carter High School student, Jenna, played an instrumental role in cultivating the relationship between Greenheck and the school system. She gave company representatives tours, answered questions, and shared her family’s deep roots in East Knox County. She’ll also directly benefit from the investment in her school’s programs and peers.
National Company with a Local Community Focus
Greenheck Group, headquartered in Wisconsin, is the largest privately owned manufacturer in the state. Its air ventilation equipment can be found in schools, malls, offices, and industrial facilities across the country. The company currently employs more than 5,400 people — with plans to grow that number significantly in Knox County.
“Greenheck Group’s decision to locate in Knox County represents one of the largest manufacturing projects to land in this community in the last decade,” said TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter.
Totzke wrapped up the ceremony with a return to the theme of values — the thread that guided the entire decision.
“What drew us to Knoxville were the people whose values mirror the principles our company was built upon — good people who measure success not just by what they achieve, but by how they lift others along the way,” he said.
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