How VW Achieved LEED Platinum-Rated Construction

Laura Orlich, Associate, SSOE Group (Q2 / Spring 2013)

Volkswagen of America earned LEED® Platinum certification due in part to recycled and regional materials and construction waste management. More

Regional Review: Southern States Are Hub for Foreign Automakers & Suppliers

Beth Mattson-Teig (Location USA / April 2013)

Over the past decade, the South has emerged as a manufacturing hub for big automakers. Major international firms such as Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Volkswagen are just a few of the players that have a strong and growing presence in the South. As the auto industry continues to recover, that formidable industry cluster is fueling growth across Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. More

In Focus: Intelligent Communities Provide a Positive Environment for Business Growth

John G. Jung , Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum (Q1 / Winter 2013)

Intelligent Communities are differentiating themselves with a culture that uses smart technologies in creative and innovative ways — creating a key competitive advantage that in turn attracts investment and promotes economic growth. More

The Return of Technology Clusters to the List of “Best-Performing Cities”

Area Development Online Research Desk (February 2013)

Milken Study Highlights Metros Recovering Most Quickly from the Economic Recession and Growing Their Economies. More

LINK: Best-Performing Cities 2012: Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained - Milken Institute

First Person: How Whirlpool is Training and Retaining Skilled Workers at Its Cleveland, Tennessee Plant

Amy Killam, Human Resources Director, Whirlpool Corporation, Cleveland, Tennessee (Directory 2013)

The editor of Area Development recently discussed employment recruitment and retention issues with Amy Killam, human resources director at Whirlpool Corporation’s facility in Cleveland, Tennessee. The plant, which opened in the spring of 2012, employs approximately 1,700 people. More

Seventh Ranked Tennessee Polls as the Best in the Nation for its Overall Infrastructure and Global Access

Area Development Magazine Special Presentation (Fall 2012)

Tennessee ranked seventh overall among the Top States for Doing Business - up one spot compared to 2011 survey results. Tennessee also scored the top ranking for its overall infrastructure and global access, and also beat out its competitors in ranking first for its distribution/logistics hub access. More

2012 Top States for Doing Business Survey Results

Area Development Magazine Special Presentation (Fall 2012)

For the third consecutive year, Area Development magazine's editors have conducted a survey of a select group of highly respected location consultants who work with a nationwide client base. We asked the consultants to name their top-5 state choices in 14 site selection categories. More

Slideshow: 2012 Gold and Silver Shovel Award Recipients

Area Development Magazine Special Presentation (Fall 2012)

Shown here are six of the recipients of Area Development's 2012 Gold and Silver awards, which were bestowed in recognition of the states' efforts to capture new facility and expansion projects that resulted in significant investment and job-creation. More

TENNESSEE at a glance

POPULATION: 6,403,353 (2011)

LABOR FORCE: 3,132,700 (2011)

RIGHT TO WORK: Yes

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Chemicals, printing and publishing, machinery, insurance, tourism, agriculture, food products

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: Advanced manufacturing and energy technologies; automotive; business services; chemicals and plastics; healthcare; transportation, logistics, and distribution services

COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 23.6% (2011)

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Sales and Use Tax: 7 percent state (food 5.25 percent) and 1.5–2.75 percent local Property Tax: Local only; 2010 median rate per $100 of assessed value for counties was $2.26

Excise Tax: 6.5 percent of net earnings of the company derived from doing business in Tennessee

Franchise Tax: $0.25 per $100 value of the greater of net worth or real and tangible property in Tennessee

BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
FastTrack Infrastructure Development Program (FIDP)

Community Development Block Grants

FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program

Industrial Machinery Credit

Private activity bonds

Jobs Tax Credit & Super Credit

Corporate Headquarters Tax Credit

TVA Economic Development Loan Fund

TVA Minority Business Development Loan Fund

State Industrial Access Program (industrial highway access)