Four Tennessee cities make “America’s 50 Hottest Cities” ranking

Nashville tops list for the second year in a row

Tennessee’s attractive business climate continues to get national attention, this time landing four metropolitan cities in Expansion Management magazine’s “America’s 50 Hottest Cities” ranking.
For the second year in a row, the Nashville metro area landed at No. 1 on the list. Memphis followed at No. 7 with Knoxville trailing close behind at No. 9. Also, making the top 50 was Jackson at No. 42. Tennessee was the only state included on this year’s list with three cities making the Top 10.
“Obviously we are thrilled that four major cities in Tennessee have been named on this prestigious list as the hottest places for relocation and expansion opportunities,” said Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber. “The fact that this list is compiled based on feedback provided by site selection consultants and corporate executives with decision-making authority is a real feather in Tennessee’s hat. In the short time that Governor Bredesen has been in office, several significant efforts have taken place to help propel Tennessee as a hot spot for business, including workers compensation reform, our FastTrack initiative and a commitment to improve and invest in work force development and infrastructure needs. As Tennessee and our communities continue to receive national recognition for our business environment and successes, it’s clearly evident that these strategies are working and sending us in a positive direction.”
In order to determine today’s hottest cities for business expansion, Expansion Management surveyed more than 80 of the industry’s most prominent site selection consultants. The consultants, whose identities remain confidential, were asked to list their top city choices for relocating and expanding manufacturing companies, taking into consideration such factors as business climate, work force quality, operating costs, incentive programs, and the ease of working with local political and economic development officials.