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Alternative Energy

With the recent locations of Hemlock Semiconductor, the worlds #1 polysilicon manufacturer and Wacker Chemie, AG, the 2nd largest polysilicon manufacturer in the world, in Tennessee, the state is rapidly becoming known as an excellent location for companies in the solar industry.

The state's focus on the solar industry includes the proposed Tennessee Solar Institute located at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Green Energy Tax Credit.

Workforce   

• Flexible, growing regional workforce of 550,000
• Manufacturing workforce of 56,000 at costs 8% below the U.S. average (TN Dept of Labor, June 2008)
• More than 5,000 engineers in the 15-county region with an average salary of $84,000
• Customized workforce training
• Transferable skill sets
• Home to University of Tennessee flagship campus,  with nationally acclaimed engineering programs
• Network of community colleges, technology centers, and careers centers to meet training, screening and hiring needs
• Competitive workers compensation rates
• Right to work state

Accessibility  

• Located at the juncture three major interstates, I-40, I-75, and I-81
• Rail service by Norfolk Southern, CSX, and local short-line railroads
• Barge service on the Tennessee- Tombigbee Waterway System
• Regional airport offers more than 140 flights daily to 21 major U.S. destinations
• US Customs Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone designation
• Within a day's drive of 70% of the US population

Technology

• Direct access to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) with 16 user facilities
• Location of the main campus of the University of Tennessee, a research university
• Highly ranked engineering program at the University of Tennessee
• Tennessee Solar Institute to be located at the University's campus and ORNL

Incentives

• State of Tennessee Green Energy Tax Credit expanded to include integrated customers and integrated suppliers
• Expansion of Sales and Use Tax Credit for Qualified headquarters & Qualified Facility to Support and Emerging Industry
• Clean Energy Future Act
• FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program can provide training to quickly provide trained skilled workers

Competitive Business Climate

• No state property tax
• Pro-business environment
• Competitive lease rates
• Electric rates 19% below the U.S. industrial average (TVA)