The site includes roughly 3.4 acres off Ward Mill Road
As previously reported in the UCBJ, Anatolia Cabinet and Millwork (ACM) is set to establish a $9.6 million, state-of-the-art, 2500 square foot manufacturing facility in Putnam County. Site work is already underway with grading and infrastructure improvements progressing ahead of the facility’s full buildout, which should be complete in just over 1200 days, according to official documents.
The site includes roughly 3.4 acres off Ward Mill Road.
“This commitment shows their confidence in our workforce and strengthens our local economy,” said Sen. Paul Bailey.
Recently, community and economic development leaders gathered at Del Monaco Winery in Baxter to celebrate the project, which is expected to create 56 new jobs following a $13 million investment.
“These are quality jobs that will support local families and build long-term economic strength for our region. I’m proud to see this level of innovation and investment happening right here in Putnam County,” said Rep. Ryan Williams of Cookeville.
The project is breaking ground in more ways than one. It will also break technological ground by introducing the first AI-integrated cabinet and millwork production system that will feature fourth-generation AI mill production. The dream of Temel İslamoğlu, owner and president of ACM, was a flame that sparked when he moved to the United States in 2005. The man who once slept on the floor of his first factory is now changing the face of production.
That is the American Dream.
“Four years ago, I made the decision to pursue a fully automated, AI-driven cabinet and millwork manufacturing facility in Baxter,” said İslamoğlu.
Meaningful and beneficial, the project will bring growth to the Upper Cumberland.
“We believe this project will bring meaningful economic and technological benefits to Baxter and the surrounding communities. We are proud to open this facility in Putnam County and look forward to becoming an active partner in the region’s continued growth and innovation.”
The project jump-started in record time after the initial 56-acre purchase, and the facility will “drastically increase efficiency of delivery,” according to officials.
Gregg Bostick, of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, spoke at the event. He says Main Street America is the backbone of our economy.
“(The facility) benefits the county and will create higher earning jobs,” said Bostick.
Pictured – Local and State Leaders joined Anatolia Cabinet and Millwork’s Temel Islamoglu at Del Monaco Winery to announce their $9.6 million investment and creation of 56 jobs in Putnam County. Heather Thomas photo.
Economic Impact at a Glance
| Capital Investment | $9.6 million |
| Direct Jobs Created | 56 |
| Total Regional Employment Supported | 125 – 180 positions |
| Annual Economic Output | $8 – $12 million |
| Project Area | 3.4 acres (Polaris Properties site, Ward Mill Rd) |
| Technology Milestone | Tennessee’s first AI-integrated cabinet & millwork factory |
Hosted by Amy New, President and CEO of the Cookeville–Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, the announcement drew regional leaders and state partners, including:
- Nathan Buttrey of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD)
- Temel Islamogu, owner and president of Anatolia Cabinet and Millwork
- Baxter Mayor Danny Holmes
- Former Mayor John Martin
- Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter
- U.S. Congressman John Rose
- Gregg Bostick of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center presented the project overview and local supplier opportunities
AI-Driven Manufacturing Brings New Technology to Baxter
The Baxter ACM facility underscores how advanced innovation is reaching rural regions and “Tennessee’s commitment to growing opportunity in rural communities,” according to a release by Governor Bill Lee.
Lee says the nearly 60 new jobs “will be transformative for the Putnam County area.”
Anatolia’s choice of Baxter is a testament to the state’s business-friendly environment.
Deputy Governor and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter called the AI-driven operation “a powerful example of technology transforming manufacturing right here in Tennessee.”
This “is a clear vote of confidence in our state’s talented workforce and business-friendly climate,” according to McWhorter.
3 Things to know about the project
Regional Growth
The expansion builds upon Anatolia’s earlier presence in the Upper Cumberland.
In 2021, operating under Anatolia Granite & Marble, the company invested $567,000 and created 40 jobs when it expanded from Knoxville into Putnam County. That project laid the groundwork for local stone fabrication and regional service.
Now, with the Baxter facility, Anatolia is vertically integrating its operations into cabinet and millwork production, offering builders and designers a complete surface-to-finish solution using next-generation technology.
Economic and Workforce Impact
According to TNECD data and regional multipliers, each direct job in advanced wood manufacturing supports 1.5–2.0 additional local jobs. At full capacity, Anatolia’s Baxter facility could sustain 125–180 total regional positions and generate $8–$12 million in annual economic output through wages, supplier contracts and household spending. Since 2020, TNECD has supported more than 34 economic development projects in the Upper Cumberland, resulting in more than 3,000 job commitments and nearly $1 billion in capital investment.
A Growing Regional Cluster
The Baxter facility enhances Putnam County’s expanding “stone and surfaces” cluster—linking fabrication, design and home-construction services with automation and AI capability. The project also reflects broader regional momentum: since 2020, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) has supported more than 34 projects across the Upper Cumberland, resulting in over 3,000 new job commitments and nearly $1 billion in capital investment.
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