CEO Guide to Site Selection

Tennessee

BLUE OVAL AND BEYOND

Tennessee has witnessed notable investments and expansions in the past couple of years, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare. BlueOval City, a $5.6 billion mega campus in Stanton, continues to grow and attract new tenants. Avancez announced in March 2023 a $54 million investment and more than 500 new jobs at its operations there. The Greenheck Group also announced in January 2024 a $300 million investment and 440 new jobs at its campus in Knoxville. Furthermore, Tennessee continues to attract businesses seeking to establish headquarters and R&D operations, as evidenced by Type One Energy Group’s April 2024 announcement to set up its HQ and expand R&D operations in the state. The significant financial commitment enhances Tennessee’s reputation as a center for innovation and technology-driven enterprises.

“Tennessee has earned a worldwide reputation for being one of the best places to do business, not just in the U.S. but across the globe.”
Bill Lee
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index

EDUCATION

0 %

of students graduated high school in 2019

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2020 and 2023

KEY INCENTIVES

FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program: Offers grants to assist new or expanding companies to fund training for new employees.

FastTrack Economic Development Fund: Offers a grant to offset costs for eligible companies expanding or locating a business in Tennessee.

Job Tax Credit: Offers a credit of $4,500 per job to offset up to 50% of franchise and excise (F&E) taxes in any given year, with a carry forward for up to 15 years.

Industrial Machinery Tax Credit: Offers a credit of up to 10% for the purchase, third-party installation and repair of qualified industrial machinery.

EDCs

Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development

tnecd.com

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

nashvillechamber.com/economic-development

Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership

greaterchatt.com

Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Economic Development

knoxvillechamber.com/economic-development

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

The Volunteer State is emerging as a nationwide hub for nuclear R&D. In October 2024, the state announced that Tennessee Tech University would receive funding from the $50 million Tennessee Nuclear Energy Fund to support existing programs and implement a new nuclear education curriculum. Tech established nuclear engineering programs that will include principles of nuclear energy production, reactor systems design, spent fuel processing, nuclear safety and nuclear cybersecurity.

BIG DEALS

  • Type One Energy Group announced in February 2024 it will expand operations and establish its headquarters in the state. The $223 million project will create 330 jobs.
  • Landmark Ceramics announced in March 2024 a $71 million expansion and 78 new jobs at its plant in Mt. Pleasant.
  • Greenheck Group announced in April 2024 a $300 million corporate campus and 440 new jobs in Knoxville.
  • PPG announced in May 2024 a $225 million manufacturing facility and 129 new jobs in Loudon County.
  • France-based company OPmobility announced in June 2024 a $3 million expansion and 186 new jobs at its plant in Spring Hill.
  • The Anderson-DuBose Company announced in October 2024 it will invest $40 million and create 80 jobs at a facility in Jefferson City.

BIG COMPANIES

Ten Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state, including:

  • FedEx
  • HCA Healthcare
  • Dollar General
  • International Paper
  • Delek US Holdings
  • AutoZone
  • Tractor Supply
  • Community Health Systems
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

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:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

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.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.