Magazine rates Nashville tops again for expansion, relocations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. — An industry trade magazine has ranked Nashville No. 1 for businesses seeking to expand or move for the second year in a row.

State leaders touted the ranking by Expansion Management, a 45,000 circulation magazine read by corporate executives and real estate professionals, saying the coverage can boost economic development.

Other Tennessee cities on the magazine’s “America’s Hottest 50 Cities” list were Memphis at No. 7, Knoxville at No. 9 and Jackson at No. 42.

“The fact that this list is compiled based on feedback provided by site selection consultants and corporate executives with decision-making authority is a real feather in Tennessee’s hat,” Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matthew Kisber said.

Nashville has recently landed corporate headquarters relocations by Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co., pharmaceutical benefits manager CareMark and building products company Louisiana-Pacific.

In order to determine the list ranking, Expansion Management surveyed more than 80 of the industry’s site selection consultants.

The consultants consider such factors as business climate, work force quality, operating costs, tax incentive programs and the ease of working with local political and economic development officials.