Knoxville Ranks As A Top 10 City For Retirement, Place To Raise a Family, or Start a Career (New Jobs)

Posted on May 19, 2008 by Jeremy Floyd

Knoxville's vibrant growth and development has helped to bring national attention to the region. Says Garrett Wagley of the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership: "The greatest benefit of the national rankings is that they place Knoxville in the national spotlight. They call attention to Knoxville among the nation’s largest companies and among those companies that might be looking to expand."

Knoxville's National Rankings

  • Best Cities for Relocating Families (2008, 2007) - Worldwide ERC and Primary Relocation - #4, #1
  • Best Place for Recent College Graduates (2006) - Economic Research Institute - #1 of 206 reviewed
  • Best Metros for Business and Expansion (2007) - Business Expansion Magazine  - #3
  • America's 50 Hottest Cities for Business Relocation & Expansion (2007, 2006, 2005) - Business Expansion Magazine - #23, #9, #14 of 50
  • America's Most Affordable Travel Destinations (2006) – Hotwire.com - #4 of 50
  • Knoxville - Best Cities to Do Business in America (2005) – Inc Magazine - #7 of 274
  • Best Overall Business Climate (State Ranks, 2005) – Site Selection Magazine - #5 of 50
  • Best Places for Affordable Living (2005) – Sperling’s Best Places - #8 of 32
  • Best Places for Business & Career (2008, 2006, 2005) – Forbes Magazine - #10, #5, #17 of 200
  • Best Places to Retire (2006) – Money Magazine - #10 of 100
  • Top Mid-Size City Boom Towns (for Job Growth, 2006) – Inc Magazine - #23 of 60
  • States With A Strong Workforce Training Program (2006) – Expansion Magazine - #6 of 50
  • 3rd best places to live and boat in the country by Boating Life magazine.

This national attention and the dedication of area government, business, and community leaders has resulted in a steady increase in jobs for the region. A regional economic development campaign meant to coordinate public and private support was launched in 2002. Jobs Now! was charged with "creating 35,000 net new jobs, growing non-residential capital investment to $2.5 billion, and increasing the average annual wage to $40,908" within five years. Funded by 170 public and private investors, Jobs Now! members support economic development by actively marketing the region and coordinating responses to business inquiries. The investors also support capital improvements and higher wages for regional employees. National attention and their efforts have done much for the region: At the end of year four, the program "had reached 109% of its five-year goal of 35,000 net new jobs and 141% of the five-year capital investment goal of $2.5B."

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Tennessee River: Source of Knoxville Development

Posted on October 3, 2007 by Jeremy Floyd

Like so many cities, Knoxville developed on a waterway. Early maps of Knoxville show development radiating from the Tennessee River, the city’s primary means of transportation before railways developed. The electric trolley would come to Knoxville in 1890 (a good idea then and, some believe, now), expanding the city to around six square miles in area; before that, city development was limited to the distance one could walk or ride horseback. Later, the automobile would open the door to even more outward development shifting the city’s focus away from the Tennessee River that once supported its economy to the west, north, and east. The Tennessee River, seemingly, had outlived its usefulness.

But as cities all over the United States began to undergo the stresses of sprawl, urban planners, in hopes of drawing people back to the city center, sought to identify the common features among cities whose downtowns remained vibrant. One commonality was water. Cities that have healthy, developed waterfronts maintain denser downtown populations, more vibrant downtown activities, and healthier economies as a result. Working with that information, many cities across America with neglected waterfronts are looking to revitalize by cleaning up and developing their shorelines.

To that end, Knoxville’s leadership joined with citizens, technical experts, developers and others to construct a plan to redevelop the south waterfront along the Tennessee River. Complete in 2005, the South Waterfront Action Plan spans 20 years with several phases of development. Currently, Phase I (0-5 years) is underway with plans to initiate a number of projects such as the construction of riverwalks, an amphitheater, a pedestrian bridge, and several area transportation improvements. When complete, several public parks will provide direct access, or “windows,” to the water; bike paths, sidewalks, street improvements, and parking areas will draw recreational crowds; and private residential, office, entertainment, and retail development will encourage people to move to the area, making it a true extension of the city rather than simply an outdoor recreation area.

Wondering about the other side of the river? The northern shore has received attention during the last decade with the construction of a two-mile riverside promenade and Volunteer Landing, a popular outdoor venue for game day gatherings, special events, or just playtime; several interactive fountains attract children during the summer. Fishing docks, park benches, a playground, and picnic tables dot the way attracting families, students, and downtown workers. Several restaurants are accessible via the riverwalk, and a pedestrian bridge provides safe crossing from downtown Knoxville to the park. All of this is tucked between and beneath Knoxville’s historic Gay Street and Henley Street bridges which add beauty and interest to the scenery while serving as subtle reminders of the good things happening on the other side.

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