NEWS RELEASES from the Mayor's Office City of Knoxville, Tennessee Bill Haslam, Mayor

Knoxville 'Hot City' for business

America's 50 Hottest Cities List January 4, 2005 - Expansion Management, a business magazine for executives of companies actively looking to expand or relocate their businesses, ranked Knoxville as one of "America's 50 Hottest Cities" in its January issue. Knoxville ranks 14th on the Expansion Management's "America's 50 Hottest Cities" for businesses looking to expand or relocate. Knoxville ranked no. 14 on the list, compiled through a survey of site location consultants who were asked to list their top city choices taking into consideration such factors as the business climate, work force quality, operating costs, incentive programs and the ease of working with local political and economic development officials. "Some cities are well-prepared to attract and retain businesses," said Ken Krizner, managing editor of Expansion Management. "They have logistical advantages, a high quality of life, available work force, and a favorable tax and political climate. These 50 Hottest Cities have a built-in advantage when companies look to site a new manufacturing or distribution facility, or headquarters operation." Mayor Bill Haslam noted the ranking will put Knoxville on the radar of more site consultants, as well as companies seeking to expand and relocate. "Knoxville is a gaining a national reputation as a great place to do business, and this ranking by Expansion Management will further that standing," Mayor Haslam said. "The coordination and streamlining of our economic development efforts, evident in Jobs Now!, will pay dividends for Knoxville's economic future."

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