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Marine Manufacturing 

East Tennessee has a strong and growing marine manufacturing industry due to its central location, skilled boat building workforce, abundant lakes, access to advanced materials research and a favorable business climate.

• More than 15 major boat manufacturers located in the region
• Headquarters to the world's largest recreational boat builder
• Over $90 million invested in the region by the boat building industry since 2004
• A workforce of 550,000,  with over 4,500 workers employed in the marine manufacturing industry
• A central location with excellent water and highway access
• Seven TVA lakes
• One of the nation's most favorable business climates
• Access to advanced materials research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee 

Workforce

• Fastest growing metro area in the State of Tennessee
• Flexible, growing regional workforce of 550,000
• Manufacturing workforce of 56,000 in manufacturing, with labor costs 8% below the U.S. average  (TN Dept of Labor, June 2008)
• Over 4,500 people employed in the marine industry
• Marine Institute at Tellico developing a future pipeline of industry experienced experts
• 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

Accessibility

• Located at the juncture three major interstates: I-40, I-75, and I-81
• Barge service on the Tennessee - Tombigbee Waterway System, with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico
• Rail service by Norfolk Southern, CSX, and local short-line railroads
• US Customs Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone designation
• 15 OEM's within 60 mile radius
• Regional airport offers more than 140 flights daily to 21 major U.S. destinations
• Within a day's drive of 70% of the US population

Technology

• Access totechnology research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and its 16 industrial user facility
• World's premier laboratory in advanced materials
• 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
• Regional 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 11% below national average (ACCRA 1Q 2010)
• No state personal income tax
• Tennessee state taxes among the nation's lowest (Tax Foundation, 2009)
• Housing costs 18% below national average (ACCRA 1Q 2010)
• Healthcare costs 10% below the national average (ACCRA 1Q 2010)
• 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
• 3rd Best Place in the U.S. to Live and Boat (Boating Life Magazine, 2007)
• Two symphonies, an opera company, 3 ballet companies and a fine arts museum
• Nationally acclaimed zoo
• World-class aquarium