Legislative Recap: Why Businesses Choose Tennessee - And Keep Choosing Tennessee

When businesses decide where to locate, expand, or relocate, they're making calculations about where they can best serve customers while providing good jobs for workers. The verdict is in: Tennessee dominates virtually every category that matters to business success.Our pro-business policies aren't just beneficial for companies - they're also good for working families who depend on those companies for jobs, economic opportunities, and community prosperity. When we make it easy for businesses to succeed, everyone benefits. Tennessee's Business Dominance:#1 in Energy Availability and Costs (areadevelopment.com) - Reliable, affordable energy is essential for manufacturing, technology, and every business in between. Tennessee's diverse energy portfolio and competitive rates provide businesses with a crucial advantage over high-cost states that burden companies with expensive and unreliable power. #1 in Overall Cost of Doing Business (areadevelopment.com) - From real estate costs to regulatory compliance, Tennessee offers the best value proposition in the United States. Businesses can invest in growth and jobs instead of wasting money on unnecessary overhead and bureaucratic obstacles. #2 in Cooperative and Responsive State/Local Government (areadevelopment.com) - Government should be a partner in economic development, not an obstacle. Tennessee's streamlined permitting, responsive agencies, and business-friendly officials make it easy for companies to navigate government requirements quickly and efficiently. #3 Best States for Business (Chief Executive) - CEOs consistently rank Tennessee among the top destinations for business operations. They appreciate our combination of low costs, a skilled workforce, a strategic location, and a government that understands business needs. #3 Best States for Doing Business (areadevelopment.com) - Multiple independent rankings confirm what businesses already know - Tennessee offers unmatched advantages for companies seeking to grow and prosper. #4 in Water Availability (areadevelopment.com) - Abundant, clean water resources support manufacturing processes, technology operations, and quality of life that attracts workers. While other regions face shortages and restrictions, Tennessee’s advantage comes with responsibility. Protecting the quality and balance of our water supply ensures that future generations — and every sector, from agriculture to industry — can continue to thrive without depleting the very resource that sustains us all. #5 in Best Business Climate (Business Facilities) - Our comprehensive approach to business development, combining tax policy, regulatory environment, infrastructure, and workforce development, creates an ecosystem where businesses thrive. #6 Best Business Environment (WalletHub) - Independent analysis confirms Tennessee's business advantages across multiple categories, including costs, regulations, workforce quality, and economic climate. Why Businesses Choose Tennessee: Strategic Location - Tennessee sits at the crossroads of America, with 65% of the U.S. population within a day's drive. Our central location reduces transportation costs and delivery times, making Tennessee an ideal hub for distribution and manufacturing. Skilled Workforce - Our education investments, technical training programs, and work ethic create workers who are productive, reliable, and adaptable. Businesses find the talent they need to compete globally while paying competitive wages. Infrastructure Excellence - From interstate highways to airports to broadband networks, Tennessee's infrastructure supports business operations efficiently and reliably. We invest in the systems businesses need without burdening them with excessive taxes. Regulatory Sanity - While other states pile on regulations that stifle innovation and increase costs, Tennessee maintains common-sense rules that protect workers and consumers without killing jobs or competitiveness. Tax Competitiveness - Our low-tax environment enables businesses to retain more capital for reinvestment, expansion, and job creation. Every dollar not sent to the government is a dollar available for business growth. Industry Success Stories: Agriculture Excellence - Tennessee's agricultural sector continues to grow and develop, leveraging its natural advantages in weather, soil, and water resources. From traditional farming to ag tech innovation, agriculture remains a cornerstone of our economy. Entertainment Industry Growth - Our music, film, and entertainment industries attract global talent and investment, fostering a thriving ecosystem. From Nashville's music scene to film production across the state, entertainment provides high-paying creative jobs while enhancing Tennessee's cultural appeal. Manufacturing Leadership - Tennessee ranks among the top manufacturing states, producing a wide range of products, from automobiles to aerospace components. Our skilled workforce, logistics advantages, and business-friendly environment make Tennessee a manufacturing powerhouse. Technology Innovation - From healthcare technology to financial services, Tennessee attracts tech companies seeking alternatives to high-cost, high-regulation locations. Our quality of life and business climate appeal to tech workers and entrepreneurs looking to build the next generation of innovative companies. The Migration Numbers: #4 in Movers Inbound (North American Moving Services) - People vote with their feet, and they're choosing Tennessee. Families and businesses alike recognize our advantages and are relocating here from high-tax, high-regulation states. #8 Best States for Middle-Class Americans (New Trader University) - Tennessee offers the best combination of economic opportunity, affordable living, and quality of life for middle-class families. This is where the American Dream remains alive and achievable. Tourism Recognition - East Tennessee was featured on Wanderlust's 2025 "Good to Go" list, highlighting its natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Tourism brings billions of dollars into our economy while showcasing Tennessee's attractions to potential residents and businesses. What This Means for Tennessee Families: Business success translates directly into benefits for working families: More Job Opportunities – Business growth creates employment options across skill levels and industries. Higher Wages – Competition for workers drives wages up naturally. Career Advancement – Growing companies promote from within and offer advancement opportunities. Better Quality of Life – When workers are respected, fairly compensated, and able to provide for their families, entire communities thrive. Happy, stable workers make for stronger businesses and stronger neighborhoods. Economic Security - Diverse business base provides stability during economic fluctuations The Policy Foundation: Our business success isn't accidental - it results from deliberate policy choices that prioritize economic freedom and competitiveness: Right-to-Work Laws - Workers can't be forced to join unions as a condition of employment Reasonable Regulations - We protect workers and consumers without strangling business innovation Competitive Tax Structure - Businesses keep more capital for investment and growth Infrastructure Investment - We build the roads, utilities, and systems businesses need Workforce Development - We prepare workers for the jobs businesses are creating Looking Forward: We'll continue pursuing policies that make Tennessee the most business-friendly state in America. This means: -Reducing regulatory barriers that prevent innovation -Maintaining our competitive tax advantageInvesting in infrastructure that supports business growth -Developing workforce skills for emerging industries -Protecting the quality of life that attracts workers and entrepreneurs The Tennessee Advantage is Real: Companies don’t choose Tennessee because of slick marketing campaigns — they choose us because we deliver results. Our rankings reflect real advantages that translate into bottom-line benefits for businesses and better opportunities for workers.That’s also why we don’t need to rely on corporate welfare to attract growth. The companies that thrive here aren’t coming with their hands out — they’re coming with sleeves rolled up. They know that long-term success depends on a strong workforce, not short-term subsidies.Businesses choose Tennessee even when other states offer bigger financial incentives — because here, profits grow naturally without the burden of high taxes or excessive regulation. In short, our strength isn’t in giveaways, it’s in governance that works. A Personal Note: I'm proud of Tennessee's business leadership. Every ranking improvement means more jobs for our neighbors, more opportunities for our children and our communities.We prove every day that conservative principles work. When the government gets out of the way and lets free enterprise flourish, everyone benefits. Building Tomorrow's Economy Today, Michele Reneau TN State RepresentativeDistrict 27 Hamilton County