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