POPULATION: 6,214,888 (2008)

LABOR FORCE: 3,041,300 (2008)

RIGHT TO WORK: Yes

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

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: High tech, biotech, automotive, fabricated metals, distribution, headquarters

COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 21.7% (2007)

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Sales and Use Tax: 7 percent state (food 5.5 percent) and 1.50 percent to 2.75 percent local

Property Tax: Local only; 2008 median rate per $100 of assessed value for counties was $2.27

Excise Tax: 6.5 percent of net earnings of corporations Franchise Tax: $0.25 per $100 of capital investment

BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
Emerging Industry Sales Tax Credit
FastTrack Infrastructure Development Program (FIDP)
Community development block grants
FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program
Headquarters Relocation Credit
Industrial Machinery Credit
Private activity bonds
Jobs Tax Credit & Super Credit
Corporate Headquarters Tax Credit
TVA Economic Development Loan Fund
TVA Special Opportunities Counties Program
TVA Minority Business Development Loan Fund
Telecommunications Assistance Program
Tennessee Small Business Energy Loan Program
State Industrial Access Program (industrial highway access)
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grants
Tennessee Child-Care Facilities Program
Delta Regional Authority (DRA) grants