Cookeville landed an Italian ceramic supplier's first American operation. Colorobbia USA's new 50,000 square foot distribution and technical assistance laboratory will be Highlands Business Park's second industry, officials announced Tuesday morning. "There will be three steps of development," Arturo Salazar, president of Colorobbia USA, said. "Distribution and technology assistance, glaze production and development and design."

Salazar chose Cookeville as the ideal location due to its geographic location. "The ceramic industry is picking up here in Tennessee," he noted. "We want to be close to our clients to develop and deliver quality products."In recent years, Tennessee has landed a number of ceramic facilities. In 2015, China-based Wonderful Group announced a $150 million investment in Wilson County that will create 220 new jobs and a 500,000 square foot facility. That facility is now online.