Anatolia Cabinet and Millwork will bring 56 new high-paying jobs to Baxter, the state announced Thursday.
Anatolia’s new facility will use an AI-integrated production system, which will be the first and only factory of its kind in Tennessee. The new factory part of an estimated $9.6 million investment. Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said Anatolia’s arrival continues Baxter’s economic development.
“There’s more projects looking to come in that area if they come through, we are gonna be coming back here several more times, making great announcements,” Porter said. “So it’s a lot to look forward in the future.”
Tennessee Economic and Community Development Senior Advisor Nathan Buttrey said new programs as well as the relationships built with new corporate partners help set Tennessee apart from other states in the global recruitment process.
“It’s clear that without these partnerships, we would not be here celebrating another great win for Tennessee, Baxter, and Putnam County,” Buttrey said. “The leadership across Baxter and Putnam County has worked to set this region up for economic development success and have found a great partner in Anatolia.”
The new facility will be located off Ward Mill Road. The facility is expected to break ground in May of 2026.
Baxter Mayor Danny Holmes gave credit to former Mayor John Martin for pushing to bring Anatolia to Baxter.
“John Martin has done so, so much for the city of Baxter,” Holmes said. “He has brought in so many businesses that we needed. He has put so many rooftops in our city. You know, a lot of people say, well, we are not that small town anymore. But we are. We are still the hometown city of Baxter.”
Martin said he has helped Holmes continue the process of bringing the factory to Baxter. Martin said it has been a long road getting to this point.
“Antaolia Marble and Granite has been here a while, but this is kind of an expansion of that,” Martin said. “The same person owns it, so we worked on this for almost three years. Big problems we had were getting the railroad and getting all of the permits and everything for that, and we acquired the property probably three years ago. So it’s been an ongoing process.”
Martin said the need for good-paying jobs in Baxter is what formed the vision.
“We want good jobs, and this is going to bring good jobs,” Martin said. “We spent two hours at Tech in the Engineering Department, and I talked to them about the needs that we have for this plant. We are going to hire a lot of engineers, which will give the opportunity for people that is getting a degree in engineering to stay at home. they won’t have to leave the state.”
Anatolia Owner Temel Islamogu said he looks forward to expanding in Baxter.
“Four years ago, I made the decision to pursue a new investment, a fully automated, AI-driven cabinet and millwork manufacturing facility in the City of Baxter, Tennessee,” Islamogu said. “We believe this project will bring meaningful economic and technological benefits to Baxter and the surrounding communities. We are proud and excited to open this facility in Putnam County and look forward to becoming an active partner in the community’s continued growth and innovation.”