Tennessee Again Number One in Economic & Industrial Growth
A national business publication has named Tennessee the economic development "state of the year" for the second year in a row.
For working folks, that usually means more jobs on the way.
Business Facilities Magazine says Tennessee is once again "state of the year" in economic and industrial development.
The publication cites the state’s emphasis on infrastructure and education, which is credited with spurring the growth.
Governor Bill Haslam credits a good business climate and a skilled workforce pushed by the state’s economic development agency.
But Chattanooga leaders are pointing out this area’s role in claiming that prize again.
BILL KILBRIDE, PRES. & CEO, CHATTANOOGA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "I think that the Chattanooga story..over the last few years..is one that many places in the state would love to have a dose of."
SEN. BO WATSON. (R) HIXSON "So many of these awards are you know, one year and kinda disappear. The fact that we won it two years back-to-back means we are making systematic changes to how we do business in Tennessee."
New industry is popping up all over the state, but major employers like Volkswagen, which is expanding to build an SUV in Hamilton county are still attracting the attention of companies looking to expand and relocate.
BILL KILBRIDE "We know what we’re good at..we know what we have to work at..but there’s a lot of energy…incredible energy going on."
Business Finance also names Tennessee as the nation’s fourth best business climate.
And the state leads the country in successfully implementing federally-mandated education reforms, using 500-million dollars in "Race to the Top" funding.
SEN. BO WATSON "With what we’ve done in education…with the way we’re now marketing the state I think we have a really bright future in Tennessee ..and it’s just one of the awards that demonstrates that we’re building sustaining economic power."
Tennessee is also the nation’s 2nd best infrastructure "hub for transportation" due to its central location and river-accessibility.
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