January 2010
Tennessee Rates 13th-Best State for Small Businesses
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Tennessee rates as the 13th-best state for small businesses, according to the
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council’s “Small Business Survival Index
2009.” The small business survival index is a comprehensive measure of
states and how friendly they are to businesses, based on taxes, various
regulatory costs, government spending, property rights, and health care and
energy costs.
January 2010
Tennessee Named 2009 State of the Year
Business Facilities
Tennessee was named the 2009 State of the Year by Business Facilities
magazine, a national economic development publication. The Hemlock
Semiconductor project in Clarksville was also named the magazine's 2009
Silver Award winner for the Economic Development Deal of the Year, with
Hemlock announcing its $1.2 billion investment and creation of 500-900 jobs.
In 2009, Tennessee had 16,700 new jobs and $3.1 billion in new capital
investments, according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and
Community Development.
December 2009
Tennessee Ranked as 4th Happiest State
Center for Disease Control
Tennessee ranked as the fourth-happiest state in America based on the
answers of Tennesseans and what researchers called objective measures of
good living. The Centers for Disease Control polled more than 1.3 million
people across the country. The places where people are most likely to report
happiness also tend to rate high on studies comparing things like climate,
crime rates, air quality and schools.
December 2009
Nashville Ranked 18th Most Literate City
Central Connecticut State University
Nashville is the nation's 18th most literate city, according to a study by Central
Connecticut State University — ahead of every city in the South except Atlanta,
New Orleans and Austin, Texas. The study ranked cities with at least 250,000
people according to their reading habits and education level.
December 2009
Nashville: Music City Still Rocking
FOX News
Karl Dean, mayor of Nashville, on why Tennessee is drawing more than country
music hopefuls.
December 2009
Nashville Ranked as One of the Best Cities for Business
MarketWatch
Nashville ranked 15th as one of the best U.S. metro for business in
the MarketWatch's 3rd annual survey.
December 2009
Nashville One of America's Fastest Recovering Cities
Forbes
Nashville ranked 19th as one of America's Fastest Recovering Cities based
on diversified industries and relatively stable housing that give residents a
measure of economic security.
November 2009
10 Best Cities for African Americans
Black Enterprise
Nashville ranked 6th as one of the Best Cities for African Americans based on
high-paying jobs, affordable homes, a vibrant social life and short
commutes.
November 2009
Tennessee Ranks #5 for Business Climate
Site Selection Magazine
Tennessee ranked as the fifth-best state in the country to do business,
according to an annual listing by Site Selection magazine. The Volunteer
State has been ranked in the top five for five of the past seven years. The
annual business climate rankings are determined by two factors: 50
percent by the state’s economic performance in Conway Data’s New Plant
Database, which tracks new and expanded business facility activity, and 50
percent from surveys of corporate site selectors nationwide.
October 2009
Nashville Ranked #4 for Best North American Cities for Live Music
The Society of American Travel Writers
The Society of American Travel Writers, the world’s largest organization of
professional travel journalists and photographers, recently polled its
members to come up with the “Top 10” best North American cities for live
music. Nashville ranked number 4 for live music.
October 2009
Nashville Named America's Friendliest City
Travel & Leisure
Nashville has been named America’s Friendliest City from Travel + Leisure
magazine. The publication asks readers to rate 30 U.S. cities based on
culture, shopping, restaurants, nightlife and more. This year, Nashville also
ranked second in the nation for live music and concerts and fourth for an
affordable getaway.
August 2009
3 Universities in Nashville Rank Among Best in the Nation
U.S. News & World Report
Three area schools landed in the top 20 on lists in the U.S. News and World
Report annual rankings of the nation's best colleges and universities. Vanderbilt
University came in at No. 17 on the overall list. Belmont and Lipscomb
universities appeared on the "Best Universities-Master's" list for the southern
region. Belmont came in at No. 7 and Lipscomb at 21. Both also appeared on
the magazine's "Top Up-and-Coming Schools" list for the South, Belmont at No.
2 and Lipscomb at No. 13.
August 2009
Nashville Metro Ranks #1 Quality of Life, #6 Best Cost of Living and #9
Economic Growth Potential
Business Facilities'
Nashville receives high rankings in Business Facilities' August issue with the
Metro Rankings cover story. Nashville ranked as #1 in Quality of Life, #6 Best
Cost of Living and # 9 Economic Growth Potential.
July 2009
Nashville Ranked as One of the Best Places to Begin a Career
Forbes
Nashville ranked 13th out of 350 of the country's metropolitan statistical areas
(MSAs) in Forbes listing of the Best Places to Begin a Career.
June 2009
Hendersonville, TN Named One of the Top Cities in the US for Families
Family Circle
Family Circle announced the results of its exclusive survey to identify the best
TOWNS AND CITIES across the country FOR FAMILIES. The communities
featured in the magazine’s annual roundup of perfect places to call home
combine affordable housing, good neighbors, green spaces and A+ public
school systems. Hendersonville, TN ranked in the Top 10.
June 2009
TN Ranks #9 in State's Economic Outlook and Perfomance
American Legislative Exchange Council
ALEC reviewed state's ecnomic outlook by comparing the economic
performance over the last 10 years by evaluating state's fiscal and economic
policies, as well as the ramifications of those policies. Tennessee ranked ninth
for best economic outlook.
June 2009
TN Wins Top Honors with Gold Shovel Award
Area Development
Area Development, a leading executive magazine covering corporate site
selection and relocation, has honored the state of Tennessee with its
prestigious Gold Shovel Award. The honor is presented annually to the
state achieving the most success in terms of job creation and economic
impact.
June 2009
Nashville Ranked 14 on Next Cities List in Super City Category
Next Generation Consulting
Next Generation Consulting announced its "Next Cities™" rankings - the
best places to live and work for young professionals - in three population
categories. Nashville is ranked 14 on NGC's Next Cities List in Super Cities
Category - with population over 500,000.
June 2009
Three Nashville High School's Ranked as Top Schools in the US
Newsweek Magazine
Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Magnet High School have been named to Newsweek Magazine’s Top 30
U.S. High Schools, ranking respectively at 28 and 29. This is the fourth
consecutive year Hume-Fogg and MLK have been recognized by
Newsweek’s annual report that evaluates and ranks the nation’s top 1,300
high schools. In addition to HFA and MLK, Hillsboro High also gained
recognition for the fourth consecutive year, ranking 677.
May 2009
Nashville's The Gulch Rated One of the Best Neighborhoods in the Southeast
Men's Journal
Nashville's The Gulch neighborhood rated as one of the best eight
neighborhoods in the Southeast by Men's Journal.
May 2009
Nashville Ranks 5th for "Economic Strength"
POLICOM Corporation
Each year, POLICOM Corporation ranks the 366 Metropolitan and 574
Micropolitan Areas for "Economic Strength." Nashville ranks 5th for "economic
strength." This is the long-term tendency for an area to consistently grow in size
and quality.
March 2009
Top States for Job Growth and Business
Chief Executive
Chief Executive magazine's 2009 "Best & Worst States" survey took CEO's
pulse on what the best and worst places for jobs and business growth.
Tennessee ranked 5th. The fifth annual survey asked 543 CEOs to evaluate
their states on a broad range of issues, including proximity to resources,
regulation, tax policies, education, quality of living and infrastructure.
March 2009
The Best Places For Business And Careers
Forbes
Nashville ranks 25th on Forbes 11th annual ranking of the Best Places for
Business and Careers.
March 2009
Top 125 US Hospitals: Vanderbilt University Med. Center & Baptist Hospital
Consumers' Checkbook
Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Baptist Hospital are ranked among
the top 125 hospitals in the nation by Consumers’ Checkbook. Top hospitals
were selected from 1,467 acute-care facilities in and around the nation’s
largest metropolitan areas.Criteria for selection included death rates and
adverse-outcome rates for various medical and surgical cases, ratings by
physicians and patients and major medical school affiliation.
March 2009
Top State for Graduation Rate Gains
The Tennessean
Tennessee's high school graduation rate rose more than any other state's
between 2002 and 2006 according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
March 2009
TN ranks 3rd for Child Care
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
Tennessee’s child care oversite was ranked third nationally on a report card
from the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.
TN ranked behind the Department of Defense and the District of Columbia in
the study that reviews child care standards, safety, school readiness and health
promotion of young children.
January 2009
Top 10 Greatest Low-tax Places to Retire
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report sifted through more than 2,000 U.S. places to find
locales that have relatively low taxes but also offer amenities important to
retirees, such as a reasonable cost of living and fine recreational and cultural
choices. Nashville ranked in the Top 10.
January 2009
TN’s I-40 Voted Top US Highway
Overdrive
According to a survey of truck drivers conducted by Overdrive magazine,
Tennessee’s stretch of Interstate 40 is the top highway in the United States. I-
40 in Tennessee topped the list of best roads for the fourth consecutive year.
Tennessee also tied with Georgia for third in the best overall roads category.
January 2009
Vanderbilt University Ranked among Best Value Schools
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
Vanderbilt University ranks No. 15 as one of the nation’s universities with the
best value, says “Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.
2009
Top States For Jobs and Business Growth
Chief Executive Magazine
Recent listing published by Chief Executive magazine named Tennessee as the
fifth best state in the United States for jobs and business growth. The list is
based on a survey completed by 543 chief executive officers, who looked at
issues like proximity to resources, regulation, tax policies, education, quality of
living and infrastructure.
December 2008
Top 10 Metros of 2008
MarketWatch
Nashville ranked 8th on MarketWatch's second ranking of the best U.S. metro
areas for business.
Centennial Medical Center Large Community Hospitals The
100 Top Hospitals: National Benchmarks for Success and
100 Top Hospitals: Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success identify the
nation's top providers, using the two most recent years of data. These studies
benchmark the industry's management and clinical outcomes to help hospital
boards and executives ask the right questions about organizational
performance and assess the effectiveness of their own strategies and
execution.
February 2008
Best Places for Business and Careers
Forbes
Nashville ranks as the No. 15 best city for business and careers based on
job and income growth, as well as migration trends.
January 2008
Top Cities for Cultural Amenities bizjournals.com
Nashville ranks nationally as the No. 3 best city in terms of cultural amenities
behind New York City and San Francisco.
January 2008
Top Cities for Apartment Investing National Multi Housing Council
The Nashville-Middle Tennessee area ranks nationally as the No. 4 best city
for apartment investing.
January 2008
Best Cities for Jobs Forbes
Nashville ranks as the No. 14 best city for jobs in 2008.
2007 Digital CIties Survey Center for Digital Government
Nashville ranks as the No. 4 best city for technology based on how it uses
technology to create a seamless environment between local government and
constituents.
2007
Top 25 Places to LIve and go to School
Relocate America
Nashville ranks as the No. 22 best community across the nation that offers
families a great place to live based on quality of schools and choices in
educational offerings.
2007
10 Best Cities for African Americans Black Enterprise
Nashville ranked as one of the Best Cities for African Americans based on
high-paying jobs, affordable homes, a vibrant social life and short commutes.
2007
5-Star Business Opportunity Metros
Nashville ranks as the No. 18 best city for business opportunity in the U.S.
October 2007
Fastest Growing Wine Regions The Orbitz Food & Wine Index
Nashville ranks as the No. 7 fastest-growing wine regions in the U.S.
September 2007
Top 10 Cities for Business
MarketWatch.com
Nashville ranks as the No. 6 best city to do business because of
robust industry sectors ranging from music to health care.
September 2007
Top Sports Towns Sporting News
Nashville ranks as the No. 16 top sports towns in the U.S.
September 2007
Top 50 Best Adventure Towns National Geographic
Nashville is nationally ranked as a top city to live and play based
on an ideal mix of terrain, activity and opportunity.
August 2007
2007 Economic Strength Rankings
POLICOM
Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro MSA ranks No. 4 nationally for economic
strength based on long-term tendency to grow in size and quality.
August 2007
America's Friendliest Cities
Travel + Leisure
Nashville ranks among the top five friendliest cities in America
June 2007
Top 10 Metro Areas for Per-capita Income Growth
Bizjournals
Nashville ranks No. 8 nationally for per-capita income growth. Per-capita
income was determined by
salaries, dividends, interest payments, rental
income and government checks, including Social Security.
May 2007
Best Large City for Relocating Families
Worldwide ERC & Primacy Relocation
Nashville is named the No. 2 best large city for relocating families based
on economic, educational, quality of life and climate factors.
May 2007
Top MBA Employers
Fortune
Nashville ranks No. 8 nationally based on the percentage of MBA
candidates who voted where they would most like to work.
April 2007
Top 100 Places to Live
Relocate-America.com
Nashville and Brentwood rank among the top 100 places to live based
on education, crime, employment and housing.
April 2007
Best Places for Business and Careers Forbes
Nashville ranks No. 9 nationally based on job and income growth,
business and living costs, education of the workforce, migration trends,
and quality-of-life issues such as crime rates and cultural opportunities.
April 2007
Tax Friendly Places 2007
The Tax Foundation
Tennessee is named the No. 3 Tax Friendly Places nationally based on
average tax payer's total state and local tax burden.
March 2007
Top Metros
Site Selection
Nashville ranked ninth among the top 10 metro areas in the U.S.
February 2007
"Best Places for Artists in the U.S."
Business Week
Nashville ranks No. 7 nationally based on metro areas that have the
highest concentrations of artistic establishments.
February 2007
America's 50 Hottest Cities Expansion Managment
Nashville is ranked again as one of the nation's top hottest cities for
business relocations and expansions.
October 11, 2006
"Best Cities for Relocating Singles"
Worldwide ERC & Primacy Relocation
Nashville named the No. 1 Best City for Relocating Singles of 2006.
October 2006
"5-Star Logistics Metro"
Expansion Managment
Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, Tenn., has been given a "5-Star Logistics
Metro" designation based on 10 logistics categories including road and
bridge conditions, interstate highway access, and air cargo service.
August 31, 2006
Brainiest Cities in the United States CNNMoney.com
Nashville-Davidson ranks among America's smartest cities based on
highest concentration of college degrees.
August 2006
Hot Cities for Entrepreneurs Entrepreneur magazine
Nashville ranks No. 8 nationally based on "entrepreneurial activity index."
August 2006
The 2006 Inc. 500 List
Inc. magazine
Six Nashville-area firms included on annual ranking of fastest-growing
privately held companies in America.
August 2006
2006 Economic Strength Rankings
POLICOM
Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro MSA ranks No. 2 nationally for economic
strength based on long-term tendency to grow in size and quality.
July/August 2006
Five-Star Business Metros for Business Expansion
Expansion Management magazine
June 2006
Best Cities for Relocating Families Primacy Relocation
When it comes to suitable cities for relocating families,
Nashville ranks among the top five.
June 2006
Top 50 Smart Places to Live Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Low cost of living, high quality of life, reasonable
home prices elevate Nashville to No. 1.
May 2006
Best Places for Business and Careers
Forbes
Nashville cited among the top 10 cities in America.
May 2006
America's Best High Schools
Newsweek
Two Metro Nashville public schools crack the top 50.
April 2006
The South's Ten Top Headquarters Markets
Southern Business & Development
March 2006
America's 100 Fastest-Growing Counties
U.S. Census Bureau
Three Nashville-area counties (Williamson/No. 59, Rutherford/No. 84
and Montgomery/No. 96) claim spots on the list.
February 2006
Lowest State-Local Tax Burden Per Capita The Tax Foundation
Tennessee ranked among the top five most "tax-friendly" states
in this analysis of state and local tax burdens of residents.
January 2006
America's 50 Hottest Cities
Expansion Management
Nashville repeats No. 1 status as the nation's hottest
metro for business relocations and expansions.
December 2005
Big Deals 2005 Business Facilities
Nissan HQ relocation garners "Editor's Choice" recognition.
October 2005
"Seven Cool Cities" Kiplinger's
Nashville is ranked as one of 7 locations that are perfect for young
professionals.
October 2005
"Hot Spots" Entrepreneur
Nashville ranked 8th in the Entrepreneurial Hot Cities ranking.
October 2005
"Best Cities for Relocating Singles"
Worldwide ERC & Primacy Relocation
Nashville named one of 2005's Best Cities for Relocating Singles.
July 2005
"The 20 Hot Headquarters Metros for the 21st Century"
Business Facilities
Nashville is the No. 1 metropolitan area for corporate headquarters.
June 2005
"Average Disaster Premiums By State"
Expansion Management
Tennessee ranks as the 18th best state for disaster insurance premium
paid per business establishment.
May 2005
"Top US Cities for Doing Business"
Inc.
Nashville is the 47th best city in which to work, based on job growth.
May 2005
"2005 Knowledge Workers Quotient"
Expansion Management
Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro, Tenn., is listed as a five-star knowledge
worker city due to its well-educated workforce that attracts high-tech
companies and entrepreneurs.
April 2005
"Top 25 Art Destinations in America"
AmericanStyle
Nashville ranked 19th in
AmericanStyle magazine's eighth annual Top 25
Arts Destinations reader poll.
January 2005
"America's 50 Hottest Cities"
Expansion Management
Site consultants across the country chose Nashville as the hottest city for
business relocation and expansion.
They ranked the various metro areas according to business environment,
workforce quality, operating costs, incentive programs, worker training
programs, ease of working with local politicians and economic development
officials.
November 2004
"U.S. Biotechnology's Leading Locations"
Business Facilities In a study released by the Battelle Memorial Institute and the State Science
and Technology Insitute for the Biotechnology Industry Organization,
Tennessee ranked as the 11th best place in the country to locate a
biotechnology business.
October 2004
"Top 40 Real Estate Markets"
Expansion Management
Nashville ranked 12th among the top 40 hottest real estate markets in the
United States in this survey.
October 2004
"Attorney Counts, Economic Growth and Malpractice Measures"
Expansion Management Tennessee is ranked the 39th state with the most lawyers per capita and
ranked the 25th state with the best legal system.
January 2004
"Top 50 Hottest U.S. Metros"
Expansion Management The Nashville MSA ranked No. 2 in
Expansion Management's poll of 60
prominent site location consultants, based on their experiences over the past
two to three years.
2004
"Best Performing Cities"
The Milken Institute
Nashville ranked 68th in the Best Performing Cities index.
November 2003
"U.S. Biotech's Top 40 Locations"
Business Facilities
The Nashville MSA ranked No. 21 overall for biotechnology companies,
including life sciences and pharmaceuticals, through careful measurement of
13 separate factors.
November 2003
"Top 25 State Business Climate Rankings"
Site Selection Tennessee moved up to No. 3 overall in the annual business climate
rankings.
September 2003
"Five Star City for Logistics"
Expansion Management Nashville ranked No. 2 overall for logistics-friendly cities based on categories
such as transportation and distribution industry climate, available workforce,
road infrastructure and conditions, taxes and fees, waterborne commerce and
air cargo.