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Automotive 

The region has a strong automotive sector due to its location at the juncture of I-75, I-40 and I-81, skilled and experienced automotive workforce, access to automotive and advanced materials research, and a favorable business climate.

• Over 50 manufacturers and 12,500  employees producing assemblies and sub-assemblies from metal, plastic and textiles for the industry
• Over $510 million of investment and 2,800  jobs created in the region by automotive companies since 2004
• One hour drive on Interstate 75 from the recently announced $1 billion Volkswagen OEM
• Excellent selection of suitable buildings and sites  
• Within a one-day drive of the majority of  Eastern U.S. automotive OEMs and 70% of the US population
• Direct access to established transportation industry research programs and facilities                   

                                  Workforce                           Competitive Business Climate
                                  Accessibility                        Quality of Life
                                  Technology                         List of Major Automotive Suppliers in Region  

Click here to learn more about automotive manufacturing 

Workforce   

• Fastest growing metro area in the State of Tennessee
• 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)
• Tennessee  ranked as  the 5th largest auto producing state in U.S. (TN Department of Economic and Community Development, 2007)
• Home to University of Tennessee flagship campus,  with nationally acclaimed logistics and engineering programs
• 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  

• Located at the juncture three major interstates, I-40, I-75, and I-81
• Region is within one-hour drive of newly announced Volkswagen plant and within 4 hours of several major auto and truck manufacturing plants
• Rail service by Norfolk Southern, CSX, and local short-line railroads
• Barge service on the Tennessee- Tombigbee Waterway System
• Regional airport offers more than 120 flights daily to 19 major U.S. destinations
• US Customs Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone designation
• Excellent access to an existing network of raw materials suppliers from steel to plastics to automotive electronics
• 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 across multiple disciplines
• World's premier laboratory in advanced materials
• National Transportation Research Center (NTRC), which provides research for the transportation industry, is located in Knoxville 
• Automotive Research Alliance provides the automotive industry with access to research funding, to scientists, engineers and researchers, and to laboratories and equipment.
• Internationally recognized Center for Transportation Research (CTR) located on the University of Tennessee campus
• Collaborative research agreements available at ORNL and the University of Tennessee  

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 26% below the U.S. industrial average
• Electricity reliability at 99.999% for past 6 years
• Building costs 21% below the national average (RSMeans Construction Index 2008)
• Competitive lease rates
• Right to work state

Quality of life

• Cost of living 10% below national average (ACCRA 2008 Annual Average Data)
• No state personal income tax
• Tennessee ranked in the top 10 among states in overall personal tax burden (Retirement Living Information Center, Jan 2009)
• Housing costs 23% below national average (ACCRA 2008 Annual Average Data)
• Healthcare costs 9.7% below the national average
• 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
  

Automotive Suppliers with 100+ Employees in ETEDA Region        

Automotive Firms - ETEDA Region         

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