New CNBC Survey Ranks Tennessee As 3rd Place For Business

Tennessee ranked third for business competitiveness among 50 states in CNBC’s annual study. released this week.

McMinnville Warren County Industrial Board Director Wendy Sneed said the Upper Cumberland is a prime example of Tennessee’s success. She said the region has seen a lot of growth among all industry sectors.

“It’s a great thing for us to get this recognition,” Sneed said. “Tennessee has worked very hard over the last several decades to make it more lucrative and positive for businesses to come here.”

Sneed said businesses choose to locate here not just for what the area offers their company but also for the outdoor opportunities, education, and other advantages for their employees.

Sneed said Tourism, Chambers, and Industrial Development have been working together to put the full puzzle together and draw business in.

“Being new in my position, I’m using our educational resources as a top recruiting tool,” Sneed said. “Number one we have our TCAT facility here, it’s ranked one of the best.”

Sneed said TCAT had hired Daniel Bratcher, an engineer by trade and worked in the auto industry. She said she was partnering with him to work with local business to see if there are any workforce training programs they can assist with.

“And of course we don’t want to forget the Automation Robotics Training Center located here in McMinnville with Motlow,” Sneed said. “Mr. Flatt the executive director there, last time I spoke with him they’ve already trained a couple of hundred students from over I believe it’s over 125 companies across the country.”

Sneed said that local development boards were working extremely closely with local governments and communities, regional partnerships such as Upper Cumberland Development District, and partnerships with state agencies like Economic Community Development.

“There’s a lot of opportunity in all aspects as far as retail, commercial and industrial development,” Sneed said.

Tennessee ranked in the top five in infrastructure, economy, and education. The state struggled with cost of living increases, dropping from the 5th position to 22nd in rankings from last year’s results.