CEO Guide to Site Selection

Tennessee

VOLUNTEER STATE DRIVES TO A NEW FUTURE

While Tennessee may be known as the Volunteer State, it’s all about profit and economic growth. Several hot sectors currently include manufacturing, tech and the electric vehicle industry. German automaker Volkswagen just announced over the summer the start of production of its all-electric ID.4 SUV at its manufacturing facility in Chattanooga. Meanwhile, Ford broke ground in Stanton to build the largest auto production complex constructed in the company’s 119-year history.

“Our strong business climate, skilled workforce and central location make Tennessee the ideal location for businesses to thrive.”
Bill Lee
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

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 2010 and 2020

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

The Memphis Economy

thememphiseconomy.com

Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership

greaterchatt.com

Knoxville Chamber of Commerce Economic Development

knoxvillechamber.com/economic-development

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

The Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) 2.0 was created three years ago to help address talent shortages. It assists with forging long-term regional partnerships between Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), community colleges, industry, economic development/workforce agencies and K-12 to address the skills gap in the local workforce and expand access to vocational and technical training.

BIG DEALS

  • Chemical company Wacker announced in July 2022 a $200 million expansion and more than 200 new jobs in Charleston.
  • iFixit announced in July 2022 a $24 million distribution hub and 201 new jobs in Chattanooga.
  • Hankook Tire & Technology announced in August 2022 a $612 million investment and 400 new jobs at its Clarks- ville facility.
  • Bridgestone Americas announced in August 2022 a $550 million expansion and 380 new jobs in Morrison.
  • Georgia-Pacific announced in September 2022 a $425 million investment and 220 new jobs in Madison County.
  • TN Composites announced in September 2022 a $23.1 million expansion and 132 new jobs at its White Bluff manufacturing site.
  • Handsome Brook Farms announced in October 2022 a $30 million facility and 140 new jobs in Morristown.

BIG COMPANIES

10 Fortune 500 companies have headquarters in the state:

  • FedEx
  • HCA Healthcare
  • Dollar General
  • Community Health Systems
  • Tractor Supply
  • Delek US
  • International Paper
  • AutoZone
  • Eastman Chemical
  • Unum Group
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

We are in a period of rapid change. Customer needs, technologies, competitors and internal capabilities require companies to review and update their strategies for the new realities. In this workshop, strategy experts Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison will show you a systematic approach to strategic planning to help you refine or redefine your business strategy and approach including:

  • Learn what you need to know to develop an effective strategic plan. Put the right players on the strategic planning team.
  • Develop strategies that leverage your company’s unique position in the marketplace. Lift your management team beyond “business as usual” thought processes and activities.
  • Translate your strategies into action. Achieve your vision for success and generate superior financial results.
  • Identify exactly what you need to do now to position your company for future success.

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.