An Axel ribbon-cutting in Knoxville on an unspecified date showcased the company’s local expansion plans and its ties to area talent. An unidentified speaker who introduced the announcement said the moment was “special because of the story,” adding that the company was founded by local entrepreneurs and intends to hire from nearby universities.

“Whether it's the University of Tennessee in Knoxville or other UT campuses or any other schools or colleges around our great state,” the speaker said, describing local recruitment plans. Another unidentified speaker said the new campus will allow Axel to “expand and grow up to 12 to 1,300 people all right here together,” framing the facility as a consolidation of employees and a growth milestone for North Knoxville.

A third unidentified speaker described Axel as “a major anchor and a rapidly growing part of our city,” saying the investment reflects confidence in Knoxville’s workforce and a commitment to local investment. A separate speaker said the ribbon cutting was “about opening the door to new opportunities, to continued growth, and to a bright future for our team and the community around us.”

Speakers also recounted Axel’s recent trajectory. One said the company grew from eight original employees to more than 1,000 in a short time and credited Knox County with supporting an earlier expansion. The remarks painted the event as both ceremonial and symbolic of longer-term employment and investment trends rather than the adoption of any formal government action.

No formal votes or policy actions were recorded in the transcript; the event was described and framed as an economic development milestone and community investment with an emphasis on local hiring and regional workforce ties.