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Distribution

The East Tennessee region provides an exceptional location for distribution and warehousing with an excellent transportation infrastructure, a growing and trainable workforce, a pro-business climate and favorable operating costs.

• Within a day's drive of 70% of U.S. markets
• Three interstate highways connect in the region, I-40, I-75 & I-81
• Served by CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroads
• Barge service on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway System
• Regional  airport  with an up- to- date Cargo Freight Complex

Workforce   

• Fastest growing metro area in the State of Tennessee
• Flexible, growing regional workforce of 550,000, 56,000 in manufacturing, with labor costs 8% below the U.S. average  (TN Dept of Labor, June 2008)
• University of Tennessee's supply chain management and logistics program ranked 8th in the nation
• Network of community colleges, technology centers, and careers centers to meet  local employers' training, screening and hiring needs
• Competitive Workers Compensation rates
• Customized workforce training
• Right to work state

Accessibility  

• Within a day's drive of 70% of the US population
• 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 22 major U.S. destinations
• US Customs Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone designation

Competitive Business Climate  

• Attractive state, local, and utility incentives for new job creation and capital investment
• State taxes ranking among the nation's lowest
• No state property tax
• Competitive corporate taxes
• Available targeted jobs tax credit
• Pro-business environment
• Favorable business tax climate consistently in the top 1/3 of U.S. states
• Competitive gas, water, and sewer rates  
• Electricity generated by the Tennessee Valley Authority at rates 19% below the U.S. industrial average.
• Electricity reliability at 99.999% for past 6 years
• Building costs 19% below the national average (RSMeans Construction Index 2010)
• Competitive lease rates
• Right to work state

Quality of life

• Cost of living 10% below national average (ACCRA 3rd Q 2009)
• No state personal income tax
• Tennessee ranked in the top 10 best among states in overall personal tax burden  (Retirement Living Information Center, Jan 2009)
• Housing costs 21% below national average (ACCRA 3rd Q 2009)
• Healthcare costs 10% below the national average (ACCRA 3Q 2009)
• Main campus of the University of Tennessee, 8 four-year colleges and 4 two-year colleges
• National award-winning school districts
• Spectacular natural beauty
• The Great Smoky Mountains, the nation's most visited national park
• Seven area lakes, three whitewater rafting rivers, and numerous golf courses
• Two symphonies, an opera company, 3 ballet companies and a fine arts museum
• Nationally acclaimed zoo
• World-class aquarium
• 3rd Best Place in the U.S. to Live and Boat (Boating Life Magazine, 2007)