Distribution and Logistics

Distribution companies

East Tennessee’s excellent transportation system for moving goods, along with a growing and trainable workforce,  a pro-business climate and favorable operating costs makes it an ideal choice for the distribution/logistics sector.

In addition to the three interstates (I-75, I-40, I-81) that tri-sect in our region, we are served by two major railroads; a waterway system that permits access to 22 states and to ports on both the Eastern seacoast and the Gulf of Mexico; a major regional airport; a U.S. Customs port of entry; and a foreign trade zone designation as well as a major cargo freight complex. 

The 15-county region is within a day’s drive of 70% of the US market.  To top it off, a highly ranked supply chain management and logistics program at the University of Tennessee provides an excellent talent pool.

• Served by CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroads
• Barge service on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway System
• Regional airport with more than 120 flights daily to 19 major U.S. destinations
• Up-to-date cargo freight complex
• U.S. Customs Port of Entry
• Foreign Trade Zone designation
• Interstate 40 in Tennessee has been named Best Road in the US for the 4th year in a row by Overdrive Magazine.

Business Climate  
Pro-business environment - Favorable business tax climate consistently in the top 1/3 of U.S. states 

• 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
• 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% since 2000  
  • Abundant water supply
  • Gas by East Tennessee Natural Gas
• Available Buildings and Sites
  • Building costs 19% below the national average (RSMeans Construction Index 2012) 
  • Competitive lease rates
• Right-to-work state

Workforce

• Flexible, growing workforce of 570,000 in 15-county region
• Workforce of 780,000 in 32 laborshed counties
• Manufacturing workforce of 45,000 at costs 7% below the U.S. average
• More than 5,000 engineers
• Customized workforce training
• Transferable skill sets
• Competitive workers compensation rates
• FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program with training to quickly provide skilled workers
• University of Tennessee's supply chain management and logistics program ranked 9th in the nation

Accessibility  

• Located at juncture of three major interstates: I-40, I-75, and I-81
• 70% of the US market within a day's drive
• 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 21 major U.S. destinations
• US Customs Port of Entry and Foreign Trade Zone designation
• Easy access to deepwater ports on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
• Interstate 40 in Tennessee named Best Road in the U.S. for the 4th year in a row by Overdrive magazine

Technology

• Home of the Knoxville-Oak Ridge Technology Corridor
• Access to technology research at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the world's premier laboratory in advanced materials
• 16 user facilities across multiple disciplines