TENNESSEE | #4 | DRIVEN BY AUTOMOTIVE DEVELOPMENT
Tennessee’s automotive-focused economic development efforts continue to pay off. Nissan announced in March that it was expanding its Smyrna operations to the tune of 1,000 jobs. In June, Volkswagen announced a $700 million expansion plan for its Chattanooga operations that would add as many as 10,000 jobs next year. Tennessee has also attracted a number of major investments from tire manufacturers like Bridgestone and auto suppliers.
Overall, non-farm employment in the Volunteer State is expected to grow by 2.2 percent this year, according to the University of Tennessee’s Center for Business and Economic Research. The state’s new policy of providing free community college educations to all high school graduates pleases Ginovus’s Gigerich. He also gives thumbs-up to their recent efforts to streamline and align state agencies to provide better service.
The Tax Foundation ranks Tennessee’s tax burden 6th lowest and ranks its business tax climate 15th. Tennessee spends more than $1.58 billion per year on incentive programs.
VIRGINIA | #6 | INCENTING IMPROVEMENT
Virginia reached its pre-Recession employment peak late last year, with most job gains coming from education and heath services. Professional and business services, a key cluster, shrunk last fiscal year, reflecting contraction in defense spending. In general, the state’s dependence on government spending darkens the economic horizon. High-tech jobs, an economic driver nationally, shrunk by .8 percent last year, in contrast to the national 8.2 percent growth rate. Overall this year, jobs will grow a projected .6 percent, far behind the national 1.7 percent rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Anticipating the future, the commonwealth has tweaked its incentive programs over the past couple of years to include more funding for job training and programs that reimburse companies for internal training programs, as well as increased job creation tax credits, says Ginovus’ Gigerich. The moves will further strengthen a work force whose quality “is very high,” says Gigerich, reflecting the sizeable presence of senior-level military personnel and top corporate executives. “From the human capital viewpoint they are very well positioned,” he says.
The Tax Foundation ranks Virginia’s tax burden 21st lowest and its business tax climate 27th. Virginia spends over $1.3 billion per year on incentive programs.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
