RELOCATION GUIDE knoxvillechamber.com | 1
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MEET KNOXVILLE’S FAVORITE TENNESSEE APPAREL STORE. COME VISIT US AT: 23 Market Square • Knoxville, TN For hours please call: (865) 540-9995
WWW.TAILGATECLOTHING.COM
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CONTENTS K N O X V I L L E
R E L O C A T I O N
Welcome Home Explore the captivating charm
G U I D E
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7
of Knoxville’s
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up-and-coming communities.
The 411 Travel times, weather reports and important phone numbers, all at the tip of your fingers.
Business Starts Here From start-ups to corporate head-
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quarters, regional resources support a
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diverse and thriving
Exceptional Care
business landscape.
A patient-centric approach and cutting-edge treatments provide residents with access to high-quality
Equipping Students For The Future
healthcare.
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With outstanding public, private, and post-secondary
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options, Knoxville students are guaranteed a top-notch education.
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Advertisers Index Complete list of advertisers.
•Savings accounts
to e ! m co ille l We oxv kn
•Checking accounts •Youth accounts •Credit cards •Personal loans
•Vehicle loans •Mortgages •Full business suite •Financial planning •And more!
www.UTFCU.org (865) 971-1971 Federally insured by NCUA. Equal housing lender. MLO#408460 RELOCATION GUIDE knoxvillechamber.com | 5
WELCOME! On behalf of the Knoxville Chamber’s board of directors and more than 2,200 member businesses, welcome to our region! Whether you are making Knoxville home thanks to a new career opportunity or because the picturesque beauty enticed you to retire or purchase a second home here, we’re delighted you have made the choice to be part of our community. This publication provides you with valuable insight into your new home, hopefully making your transition a bit easier. Inside is everything from important phone numbers and demographic information to articles featuring area amenities. I also encourage you to visit our websites, KnoxvilleChamber.com, KnoxCommerce.com and KnoxvilleOakRidge.com, to find more information about our community. Each website delivers relevant and unique content that helps you explore different facets about the region. The Chamber’s website, KnoxvilleChamber.com, helps you find everything from real estate agents and personal service providers to restaurants and hospitals, all with the assurance that listed companies are associated with the region’s oldest and most trusted business organization – the chamber of commerce. For information on current trends, area business news and an in-depth look at some of the region’s most notable companies, visit KnoxCommerce.com. The Chamber’s robust blog provides a comprehensive look at the area business climate including public policy, development resources, workforce and education. To learn even more about the advantages offered to regional businesses, I invite you to visit KnoxvilleOakRidge.com. Produced by Innovation Valley, the area’s economic development partnership managed by the Knoxville Chamber and six partner agencies, the site provides details regarding existing industry services, major employers, available sites and buildings and cost of living. Once again, thank you for choosing Knoxville as your home! If my team can be of any further assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Michael Edwards, President/CEO Knoxville Chamber 17 Market Square, #201 Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 637-4550
Choose Knoxville is a publication of the Knoxville Chamber Knoxville Chamber 17 Market Square, #201 Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 637-4550 www.knoxvillechamber.com www.knoxvilleoakridge.com Michael Edwards President/CEO Rhonda Rice Clayton Executive Vice President
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Mark Field Senior Vice President Larry Johnson Senior Vice President/CFO Michelle Kiely Vice President, Membership Development Doug Lawyer Vice President, Economic Development Amy Nolan Vice President, Public Policy Lynsey Wilson Managing Editor Laddy Fields Creative Director/Photographer Amy Nolan Contributing Writer Jessica Gutman Contributing Writer Kayla Smith Contributing Writer
THE
411
Approximate Distance from Downtown Knoxville to: (Source: Google Maps) Lexington, KY Nashville, TN Atlanta, GA Charlotte, NC Cincinnati, OH Louisville, KY Birmingham, AL Charleston, SC Memphis, TN Destin, FL
170 miles 180 miles 215 miles 230 miles 250 miles 250 miles 260 miles 370 miles 370 miles 500 miles
The Weather (Sources: National Weather Service & weather.com) Average High
69.3˚F
Average Low
49.7˚F
Average First Freeze
Nov. 3
Average Last Freeze
April 6
Warmest Month July (88˚F avg high) Coldest Month
January (47˚F avg high)
Average Snowfall/year
6.5 inches
Rainiest Month
March (5 inches)
Average Precipitation/ year
48 inches
Taxes
The state of Tennessee does not have a personal income tax. The state sales tax rate is 7 percent and the Knox County sales tax rate is 2.25 percent (9.25 percent total). Property taxes vary based on location.
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Local Government Offices Counties listed are part of the Innovation Valley footprint. Cities listed are the top four metros within the same area.
Knox County
Jefferson County
Mayor Tim Burchett 400 Main Street Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-2005 www.knoxcounty.org
Mayor Alan Palmieri 214 West Main Street Dandridge, TN 37725 (865) 397-3800 www.jeffersoncountytn.gov
City of Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero 400 Main Street Knoxville, TN 37902 (865) 215-2000 Dial 3-1-1 for info on city services www.knoxvilletn.gov
Loudon County Mayor Buddy Bradshaw 100 River Road Loudon, TN 37774 (865) 458-4664 www.loudoncounty-tn.gov
Monroe County
Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank 100 North Main Street Clinton, TN 37716-3617 (865) 457-6200 www.andersontn.org
City of Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch 200 South Tulane Avenue Oak Ridge, TN 37830 www.oakridgetn.gov
Blount County Mayor Ed Mitchell 341 Court Street Maryville, TN 37804 (865) 273-5700 www.blounttn.org
City of Alcoa Mayor Don Mull 223 Associates Boulevard Alcoa, TN 37701-1948 (865) 380-4700 www.cityofalcoa-tn.gov
City of Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor 400 West Broadway Avenue Maryville, TN 37801 (865) 273-3900 www.maryvillegov.com
Mayor Tim Yates 105 College Street Madisonville, TN 37354 (423) 442-3981 www.monroegovernment.org
Roane County Ron Woody, County Executive 200 E. Race Street Kingston, TN 37763 (865) 376-5578 www.roanecountytn.gov
Registrations State of Tennessee Vehicle Registration
Department of Veterans Services There is also a form online at sos.tn.gov/ products/elections/register-vote that can be filled out and filed directly with the county election commission.
Utilities Electric & Gas First Utility District of Knox County.............................(865) 966-9741 Hallsdale Powell Utility District ........................... (865) 922-7547 Knox Chapman Utility District............................(865) 577-4497 Knoxville Utilities Board.................................(865) 524-2911 Lenoir City Utilities Board...............................(844) 687-5282 Northeast Knox Utility District............................(865) 687-5345 West Knox Utility District............................ (865) 690-2521
Telephone/Internet/Digital & Cable TV (Residential) AT&T.................................. (800) 331-0500 Comcast........................... (800) 266-2278 Frontier............................ (844) 316-6860 WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone......................... (866) 376-7003 TDS Telecom....................(866) 571-6662 Windstream....................(866) 445-5880
Waste Management/Recycling Waste Connections of Tennessee, Inc............. (865) 522-0078 Waste Management, Inc. of Tennessee.................(865) 525-0529
New residents and those relocating to the state can obtain a vehicle title from their local county clerk’s office after emissions testing (if it is required by the county). Visit www. tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration for more information and county clerks’ locations.
Transportation
Voter Registration
Public School Districts
Residents can register to vote in person at the following locations: County Clerk’s Offices County Election Commission Office Public Libraries Register of Deeds Offices Or during a transaction with one of the following: Department of Health (WIC program) Department of Human Services Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Department of Mental Health Department of Safety (motor vehicles division)
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Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is the city of Knoxville’s transit system, operating buses, trolleys, and paratransit service across the city. KAT carries more than 3 million passenger trips each year. For more information about KAT visit, www.katbus.com.
Alcoa City Schools (865) 984-0531 www.alcoaschools.net
Anderson County Schools (865) 463-2800 www2.acs.ac
Blount County Schools (865) 984-1212 www.blountk12.org
Colleges, Universities & Technical Schools
Virginia College School of Business and Health
(865) 594-1800 www.knoxschools.org
(List only includes members of the Knoxville Chamber)
WGU Tennessee
Lenoir City Schools
Carson-Newman University
Jefferson County Schools (865) 397-3194 www.jc-schools.net
Knox County Schools
(865) 986-8058 www.lenoircityschools.com
Loudon County (865) 458-5411 www.loudoncounty.org
Maryville City Schools (865) 982-7121 www.maryvilleschools.org
Oak Ridge Schools (865) 425-9001 www.ortn.edu
(866) 543-0136 www.vc.edu/locations/knoxville
(855) 948-8495 http://tennessee.wgu.edu
(865) 471-2000 www.cn.edu
Regional Hospitals
Crown College
(List only includes members of the Knoxville Chamber)
(865) 938-8186 www.thecrowncollege.com
Johnson University
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (865) 541-8000
(865) 573-4517 www.johnsonu.edu
Fort Loudoun Medical Center
Lincoln Memorial University
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center
(423) 869-3611 www.lmunet.edu
(865) 271-6000
(865) 541-1111
Jefferson Memorial Hospital (865) 471-2500
Roane County
Maryville College
(865) 376-5592 www.roaneschools.com
(865) 597-2687 www.maryvillecollege.edu
LaFollette Medical Center
Select Private Schools
Pellissippi State
LeConte Medical Center
(List only includes members of the Knoxville Chamber)
Roane State Community College
Clayton-Bradley STEM Academy (865) 494-1222 www.claytonbradleyacademy.org
Episcopal School of Knoxville (865) 777-9032 www.esknoxville.org
Tate’s School of Discovery (865) 693-3021 www.TatesSchool.com
Webb School of Knoxville (865) 693-0011 www.webbschool.org
For a full list of Knoxville area private schools visit www.privateschoolreview.com
(865) 694-6400 www.pstcc.edu
(865) 354-3000 www.roanstate.edu
South College (865) 251-1800 www.southcollegetn.edu
Strayer University (865) 288-6000 www.strayer.edu/campus-locations/ tennessee/knoxville
Tennessee College of Applied Technology
(423) 907-1200
(865) 446-7000
Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge (865) 835-1000
Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System (423) 492-9000
Newport Medical Center (423) 625-2200
North Knoxville Medical Center (865) 859-8000
Parkwest Medical Center (865) 373-1000
(865) 546-5567 www.tcatknoxville.edu
Physicians Regional Medical Center
Tennessee Wesleyan College
Roane Medical Center
(423) 745-7504 www.tnweslyan.edu
Tusculum College (865) 636-7312 www.tusculum.edu
University of Tennessee-Knoxville (865) 974-1000 www.utk.edu
(865) 545-8000
(865) 316-1000
Thompson Cancer Survival Center (865) 331-1720
Turkey Creek Medical Center (865) 218-7011
University of Tennessee Medical Center (865) 305-9000
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By: Jessica Gutman
I
t’s not a hard choice. Whether you’re seeking a new place to call home, selecting a location for your business to thrive or simply looking for the perfect vacation destination, Knoxville is the city for you. Its growing population demonstrates that people from all over are attracted to its moderate climate, breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture and booming economy. The diversity of its people and recreational activities is only matched by its eclectic collection of neighborhoods that suit any style of living. West Knoxville is home to the largest population concentration and more established neighborhoods like Sequoyah Hills, Bearden and West Hills. However, closer to the city’s urban core lies unique, up-and-coming neighborhoods that continue to attract young professionals, families and retir-
ees. In the heart of Knoxville lies downtown’s industrial-chic and contemporary lofts and condos, many fully restored with modern amenities yet maintaining original charm. Conveniently located near shops, restaurants, bars and theaters, downtown residents enjoy urban living with countless activities just outside their doors. Just north of Downtown Knoxville, Fourth and Gill, Happy Holler and Old North offer lovely historic homes, walkable streets and quaint, cottage-style gardens. The neighborhoods are growing steadily with trendy businesses including coffee shops, breweries and maker collectives opening in the area. Across the Tennessee River lies the developing South
Jason Thompson lives in a historic home in the Fourth & Gill neighborhood with his wife, Mary June.
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Knoxville waterfront and Island Home Park, an inviting neighborhood featuring primarily bungalow-style homes. This area is also the prime destination for outdoor adventure lovers with access to Ijams Nature Center and the Urban Wilderness. The greatest testament to the excellence of Knoxville’s neighborhoods are the residents who call them home. We talked with some locals living in these emerging neighborhoods to see what they love about their communities, what makes them special and the types of housing and entertainment options available there.
DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE Resident: Hannah Blackwell, coowner and pharmacist at The Phoenix Pharmacy & Fountain WHERE DO YOU LIVE & WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE THERE? My family and I live in The Phoenix Building on the 400 block of Gay Street in Downtown Knoxville. We lived downtown three years ago and absolutely loved it. Not long after my husband Brad finished his MBA at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, we were expecting our first child and thought we might want a little more space. After moving we still found ourselves traveling down there most weekends to enjoy the entertainment and activities, and it didn’t take us long to realize we would like to move back downtown. Once the opportunity to purchase the Pharmacy became available, we immediately started looking for places. It just worked out perfectly that the apartment above the Pharmacy became available a month after we started. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE? That we have (literally) a 10-second commute to work each morning and evening. We live on the third floor and work on the first floor. Aside from that, we love that we’re within walking distance of basically everything we could
Hannah Blackwell, her husband Brad, and one-year-old son Bo live on the 400 Block of Gay Street in the Phoenix Building.
need. This area has so much to offer, and we love being a part of this unique residential community and supporting the downtown businesses. Not to mention, we haven’t moved my car in over six weeks! DESCRIBE THE HOUSING OPTIONS AVAILABLE DOWNTOWN. There are great housing options close by for nearly everyone. There are lofts and apartments in the immediate downtown area that range from cool and urban to charming and full of character. We love that every downtown space seems to have its own unique view of the city. However, just a short trip across the Henley Street Bridge in South Knoxville there are some great neighborhoods near the water and a lot of great developing areas. Also, we absolutely love the Old North and Fourth and Gill neighborhood houses. They’re so beautiful and unique. WHAT ARE THE BEST ACTIVITIES IN DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE? There is never a shortage of things to do downtown, but my first answer would be: eat! There are so many great restaurants and bars downtown that we definitely take full advantage of. Honestly, though, it is hard to mention just one thing because there is always something new and fun going on. Raising a little one downtown is especially fun because
there are so many festivals and events taking place that we love being able to experience so easily. My husband and I both are truly in love with the downtown area. We would recommend downtown living to anyone. We’re excited by the growth we see happening here and feel fortunate that we are able to be a part of it. Lastly, if you do happen to live in or near downtown come see us at The Phoenix Pharmacy! We’ll take great care of you (end shameless plug).
NORTH KNOXVILLE – FOURTH AND GILL Resident: Jason Thompson, saxophonist in Frog & Toad’s Dixie Quartet WHERE DO YOU LIVE & WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE THERE? My wife and I live in the Fourth and Gill neighborhood, just outside of downtown. My wife actually bought the house when we had just started dating in 2010. The historic nature of the property, the beautiful architecture, the vibe of the neighborhood as a whole, as well as the proximity to downtown, were all big draws. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN FOURTH AND GILL?
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Fourth and Gill is a friendly, vibrant community with people from all walks of life: young professionals, students, artists, families and retired people. It is one of only a handful of designated historic districts in Knoxville, which makes it unique in that most people who live here have a passion for and commitment to keeping the historic details and charm of the neighborhood alive. The wide sidewalks connecting this neighborhood with other surrounding neighborhoods, the old growth trees and being in easy walking distance to downtown, Old North and the Old City--including two of my regular gigs-are all very appealing as well. DESCRIBE THE HOUSING OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN FOURTH AND GILL. There are actually a wide variety of housing options in the neighborhood. Some of the homes have been converted into apartments or duplexes, and there are a lot of options for single-family houses as well, both to own and for rent. You can find everything from smaller, one-story bungalows to massive three-story homes, including Craftsman, Foursquare and Queen Anne-style homes, as well as some homes designed by famous Knoxvillebased architect George Barber. WHAT ARE THE BEST ACTIVITIES IN FOURTH AND GILL, AND WHAT IS IT KNOWN FOR? Fourth and Gill is probably most notable for its concentration of Victorian-
era homes and commitment to historic preservation. The neighborhood association sponsors several annual activities that are open to all residents, including a Porch Hop in the summer, a Halloween costume contest and chili cook off, a holiday open house and a home tour every spring, which is open to the public. There is also a monthly potluck dinner to meet and mingle with your neighbors.
SOUTH KNOXVILLE – ISLAND HOME PARK Resident: Tommy Smith, vice president of marketing strategy at Ackermann Marketing & PR WHERE DO YOU LIVE & WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE THERE? We live in South Knoxville in a neighborhood called Island Home Park. The houses date back to the mid-19th century, which provides a lot of character to the neighborhood. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN ISLAND HOME PARK? Island Home Park is special to us. Every other month neighbors gather for “porch hops” where we visit on the porch of one family, and then walk to a second home to do the same. Holidays are filled with family fun. Families gather together each year for an Easter egg hunt, the July Fourth parade and picnic, lighting of the neighborhood park
Christmas tree, backyard fires and jumping in leaves in the fall. Neighbors lend a hand to one another every day, and we cherish the friendship that surrounds this community. WHAT ARE THE BEST ACTIVITIES IN SOUTH KNOXVILLE? Our community is full of outdoor fun with walking and bicycle access to schools, parks and local businesses. There are so many options to get out and play, including walking to Downtown Island Airport (DKX) to watch the planes take off, bicycling in the Urban Wilderness, climbing at Baker Creek Preserve at Suttree Landing Park, exploring trails and ponds at Ijams Nature Center, kayaking and swimming at Mead’s Quarry, picnicking at Fort Dickerson Park and exercising at South Landing Crossfit. When we need to get downtown, we easily bicycle across the Gay Street Bridge. Although we enjoy easy access to downtown restaurants and amenities, we also have great, new community businesses near us. We enjoy food and drinks with friends at Alliance Brewing Company, Landing House, Trailhead Beer Market, SoKno Taco Cantina and Honeybee Coffee. Nights are also filled with multiple food truck options for dinner. We’re excited about South Knoxville and the overall connectedness of the community. We value the diversity of people and options for enjoying activities with one another.
Tommy Smith, along with his wife Jamie and their children Carter (4), Avery (2) and Caroline (2), lives in the Island Home Park neighborhood in South Knoxville.
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Join us at the Top
• Business Services • Social • Events 800 South Gay Street • 27th Floor • 865.523.0405 • Clubleconte.com
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By: Kayla Smith
I
n Knoxville, you find a thriving, diverse business ecosystem complete with advance manufacturing facilities, notable corporate headquarters and a bustling entrepreneur-startup community. Attracted to the exceptional quality of life, unparalleled access to technology and a heritage rich in innovation, business is thriving across the region. From July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, the Knoxville region reported a total economic impact of 1,568 new jobs created and announced $241.68 million in capital investments. Since September 2013, nearly 34,000 jobs have been created 16 | KNOXVILLE CHAMBER knoxvillechamber.com
in the Knoxville MSA, representing nine percent growth. “Knoxville has a thriving entrepreneurial culture that provides great ease of entry for start-ups as well as a vibrant talent pool for large employers,” said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. “We have the benefit of major public institutions at the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), which bring research resources and world-leading technology into our region. We are seeing strong population growth and new investment across our metropoli-
tan area, which means an expanding base of consumers and a growing labor force. Put simply, this is a great place to do business!”
MANUFACTURING THE FUTURE Situated at the intersections of Interstates 40 and 75, the Knoxville region is within a day’s drive to over 60 percent of the United States population, making it a convenient hub for manufacturing operations. The enterprise has a storied history in Knoxville with advanced manufacturing taking
off as one of the city’s primary industries, marked by significant technological advances and scientific breakthroughs. Home to ORNL, TVA, Y-12 National Security Complex, and the University of Tennessee, the Knoxville region has a high concentration of the scientific and technological assets necessary to convert research breakthroughs into commercial possibilities. The region has recently seen an influx of carbon fiber and composites companies as businesses tap into the available technology resources needed to elevate their operations.
The advanced composites industry is growing steadily at nearly 15 percent per year in the United States, accounting for 300,000 new, high-paying jobs over the past five years. The Knoxville region is considered a hotbed for the composites industry, and the Knoxville Chamber’s economic development partnership announced in fall 2017 a new recruitment initiative dubbed Composites Coalition. Composite equipment manufacturer, Magnum Venus Products (MVP), is one of the companies capitalizing on the regional success of the composites industry and announced its plans to ex-
pand Knoxville operations in late 2016. “MVP loves the many connections in the composites industry this area provides, as well as the tremendous benefit provided by the convenient logistical supply chain located in and around the area,” said Peter Hedger Jr., director of marketing and communications at MVP. “We are now situated within less than 48-hours of 80 percent of our customer base. This is a huge cost and time savings for MVP and our customers. We love the University of Tennessee and the research it provides the company. In addition, we have seen a massive uptick in our RELOCATION GUIDE knoxvillechamber.com | 17
STARTUP SUCCESS
industry of composites in this area. ORNL and the cities of Knoxville and Oak Ridge have set up a robust ecosystem of startups and research that has led to the area being coined the “Silicon Valley of the composites industry.”
CORPORATE VARIETY Knoxville is home to a diversified corporate climate with fashion labels to movie cinemas establishing corporate headquarters in the region. Launched in 2010, Patricia Nash Designs can be found in department stores like Macy’s, Dillard’s and Lord & Taylor, as well as selling live on TV and online at Home Shopping Network (HSN). In October 2016, Patricia Nash moved into its new headquarters near downtown Knoxville. The newly renovated industrial building houses its showroom, creative and corporate operations and E-commerce distribution center. As the second biggest cinema chain in the United States, Regal Entertainment Group’s headquarters lies on Knoxville’s revitalized South Waterfront. Regal Entertainment began in Knoxville in 1989 and grew at a rapid pace. The company now employs over 500 em-
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ployees at its Knoxville location and operates over 7,300 screens in 43 states. With its corporate headquarters located just outside of Knoxville, Clayton Homes is one of the region’s major employers with nearly 3,000 employees. As one of the largest homebuilders in America, the company began in Knoxville over 60 years ago and has grown from a small retail center to one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S. The company was acquired by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway in 2003 and built more than 34,000 homes in 2015.
Knoxville has long had a healthy environment for entrepreneurism with nationally-recognized companies like Pilot Flying J, Jewelry Television, and the home of HGTV and Food Network, Scripps Networks Interactive, all getting their start in the region. The entrepreneurial spirit is further fostered thanks to Knoxville’s abundance of resources designed to help entrepreneurs transition from concept to launch. Since ots founding in 2013, the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC) has helped over 700 entrepreneurs and hosted 400 start-up focused events. KEC is a mentor-driven business accelerator that serves as the front door for entrepreneurs in the region. It provides a collaborative environment for entrepreneurship, networking and inspiration to take place. Software development startup, Cirrus Insight, has experienced the success of starting a business here firsthand. The customer relationship management application company was founded in 2011 and now boasts 3,400 customers and more than 100,000 users in every industry and in dozens of countries. “Cirrus Insight loves Knoxville,” said Brandon Bruce, CCO and co-founder of Cirrus Insight. “We have access to the talent and resources that have helped us grow from one to 35 employees here. Our growing team enjoys all the coffee shops, craft breweries and mountain bike trails that make Knoxville
DOING BUSINESS IN KNOXVILLEOAK RIDGE INNOVATION VALLEY With its heritage of innovative science and technology breakthroughs and solid, business-friendly values, Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley is a prime location for business. The region is home to world-class business facilities and headquarters. Last year, 22 companies decided to relocate or expand in Innovation Valley creating 1,568 new jobs and investing $241 million.
NATIONAL BRANDS HEADQUARTERED HERE
TOP 10
AMERICA’S BEST CITIES FOR GLOBAL TRADE
RECENT RANKINGS
#5
BEST CITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Global Trade magazine
CNN Money/Thumbtack
#15
BEST CITIES FOR WOMANOWNED BUSINESSES
Wallethub.com
#8
#6
#7
BEST CITIES IN AMERICA FOR JOB GROWTH
BEST CITIES FOR MILLENNIAL ENTREPRENEURS (18-34 YEAR-OLDS)
INC. 5000
Thumbtack.com
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE’S RANKING FOR AMERICA’S BEST GRADUATE PROGRAMS - SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
U.S. News and World Report
A SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED WORKFORCE MORE THAN 17,900 INDIVIDUALS GRADUATE EACH YEAR WITH A HIGHER-EDUCATION DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE THROUGHOUT INNOVATION VALLEY National Center For Education Statistics
402,270 NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE KNOXVILLE MSA TN Department of Labor
If your company is looking to relocate or expand, contact Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development at the Knoxville Chamber for more information at dlawyer@knoxvillechamber.com | 865-637-4550
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Wherever you are, Covenant Health is always nearby. Just like we promised.
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center Downtown Knoxville
Parkwest Medical Center West Knoxville
Methodist Medical Center Oak Ridge
Fort Loudoun Medical Center Lenoir City
Roane Medical Center Harriman
LeConte Medical Center Sevierville
Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System Morristown
Cumberland Medical Center Crossville
Claiborne Medical Center Tazewell
We are the top performing healthcare network in our region, with more than 10,000 employees and 1,500 affiliated physicians across East Tennessee and the Cumberland Plateau. And we are honored to care for more than one million patients every year as we fulfill our mission to improve the health of residents in the communities we serve.
www.covenanthealth.com 1-877-334-4500
Claiborne Medical Center | Cumberland Medical Center | Fort Loudoun Medical Center Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center | LeConte Medical Center | Methodist Medical Center Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System | Parkwest Medical Center | Peninsula, a Division of Parkwest Roane Medical Center | Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center | Thompson Cancer Survival Center Covenant Breast Centers | Covenant Joint Centers | Covenant HomeCare and Hospice Covenant Medical Group | Covenant Sleep Centers | Covenant Therapy Centers Fort Sanders West | Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center | Nanny’s
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PROUD MEMBERS OF COVENANT HEALTH
By: Amy Nolan
Knoxville residents enjoy state-of-the-art medical care as the region boasts more than 23,000 medical professionals in specialties ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics.
T
he city is home to Tennessee’s flagship academic medical center; a nonprofit healthcare system named by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best Employers; acute care hospitals operated by a Forbes
500 company; and a comprehensive regional pediatric hospital. As an academic medical center, UT Medical Center develops physicians and healthcare providers for the future; carries out research activities to advance diagnostic and treatment
methods; and provides state-of-the-art care through board-certified physicians, nurses and medical staff. Its Centers of Excellence include the Brain and Spine Institute, Cancer Institute, Center for Women & Children’s Health, Emergency and Trauma Ser-
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vices, Heart Lung Vascular Institute and the Advanced Orthopaedic Center. An example of this combination of clinical research and compassionate care is the Pat Summitt Clinic, a strategic partnership between the legendary basketball coach’s foundation and the medical center that officially opened in January 2017. The medical center currently serves 3,000 patients and their families at the clinic and projects the need will double to 6,000 in the next five years. The region’s largest employer is Covenant Health, the parent organization to nine acute-care hospitals, outpatient and specialty services, and Covenant Medical Group, its fastgrowing physician practice division. Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers in 2016 and 2017, Covenant Health employs more than 10,000 residents and is affiliated with 1,500 physicians. Covenant Health and its member hospitals have been recognized both nationally and regionally for quality patient care. For example, the health system previously has been named in the top 20 percent among health systems in a national study by Truven Health Analytics. Quality awards have also come from The Joint Commission, VHA, and others. Covenant HomeCare has been recognized as the only home health agency in Tennessee and only one of 10 in the nation to reach Milestone 4 of a five-step Home Health Quality Improvement initiative aimed at preventing heart attack and strokes.
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The third major hospital system in the Knoxville area is Tennova Healthcare, which encompasses 16 hospitals and numerous health care service facilities across Tennessee. Tennova provides medical services and procedures at three hospitals in North and West Knoxville, and another three in more rural East Tennessee counties. Tennova is owned by Community Health Systems, based in Franklin, Tenn., one of the nation’s largest for-profit health system operators. “Because children are special,” Knoxville’s East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is certified by the state of Tennessee as one of four Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Centers in Tennessee and is accredited by the Joint Commission. The hospital provides a unique environment and offers the services of many different pediatric subspecialties to care for children. Children’s Hospital also works jointly with the University of Tennessee Medical Center to ensure that injured children across the region receive trauma care at the institution most appropriate for the child’s needs. Over the past two years, the hospital has begun treating patients in its Scripps Networks Tower, named for a generous donation from the Knoxvillebased lifestyle media company. The tower includes a new neonatal intensive care unit with 44 private rooms so families can remain close to their newborns. Other features include an inpatient/outpatient surgery center, family lounge and resource center overlooking a rooftop garden and a computerized pediatric simulation center.
In part because of the significant investments that continue to be made in technology and facilities by health systems, Knoxville boasts a healthy supply of physicians and has been on the forefront of helping them to adapt to an ever-changing health care environment. Summit Medical Group is East Tennessee’s largest primary care organization, comprised of more than 220 physicians who engage in almost 1 million patient encounters annually. Physicians groups affiliated with University Physicians Association and Covenant Health also benefit from the efficiencies those organizations bring to administration, allowing physicians and other medical professionals to focus on patient care. The region’s quality of care has also benefited from the brainpower that the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory bring to Innovation Valley. Longtime Knoxville entrepreneur Dr. Terry Douglass, a UT-educated engineer and collaborator with lab researchers, is the founder of Provision Health Alliance, a world-class comprehensive clinical outpatient center for cancer care with a wellness focus. The core is the Proton Therapy Center, using an innovative form of radiation therapy that focuses beams on tumors and results in less damage to adjacent tissue. Douglass’s firm ProNova is developing smaller, less expensive equipment that could make proton therapy more accessible worldwide. Whatever your medical needs are, Knoxville cares for you.
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Image courtesy of Knox County Schools
By: Lynsey Wilson
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Knoxville not only boasts an excellent quality of life and vibrant economy, but also has some of the best K-12 education opportunities. With an outstanding publicschool system and a variety of private school options, parents relocating to the area can rest assured their children receive a top-notch education.
K
nox County Schools’ dedicated education professionals serve more than 59,000 students at the elementary, middle and high school level. With a mission of providing “excellence for every child,” the district is committed to continuous improvement – maintaining academic rigor and engaging students with skills relevant to their future workforce. “The foundation to succeeding in this area is rigorous program standards that provide hands-on context to academic material and prepare students for the world of work,” said Bob Thomas, Knox County Superintendent of Schools. “The more educational opportunities and industry certifications we can provide to our students, the more students will be able to do what their diploma says they can do.” In Nov. 2017, Knox County School students broke the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people learning to code at the same time. The initiative, spearheaded by a local entrepreneur in partnership with the school system, was designed to highlight the region’s attention to technology and education. “Computing positions account for roughly two-thirds of all STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) jobs available in the country,” said Mike Edwards, president and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber and member of the governor-appointed Tennessee Board of Education. “In the future, the com-
puter science skills currently required by software and advanced manufacturing companies will be necessary for employment in all industries. Initiatives like the world-record attempt are important for engaging and equipping our students to compete for these jobs.” Knox County Schools continue to focus on excellence in K-12 education with the Knox Schools 2020 strategic plan, which emphasizes higher academic expectations with rigorous curriculum, personalized learning and strong learning foundations. These goals align with the State’s 2020 plan which include: Tennessee ranking in the top half of states on the NAEP; the average ACT composite score in Tennessee is a 21; and the majority of high school graduates that year earn a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree. “These goals are bold, but achievable,” said Edwards. PRIVATE-SCHOOL OPTIONS In addition to an excellent publicschool system, the Knoxville area offers great private-school options. There are 49 private schools in the Knoxville area serving almost 10,000 students. The Episcopal School of Knoxville is an independent, co-educational school that offers academic excellence and character training for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. With small class sizes, the school seeks to instill a lifelong love
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of learning in its students and enrich their lives through intellectual, cultural, and spiritual growth. For more than 50 years, Webb School of Knoxville has offered comprehensive curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade. The school boasts an impressive 100 percent college placement rate for its graduates. Webb prides itself on preparing its students to become tomorrow’s leaders through
teaching them how to think critically and be socially conscious. Tate’s School of Discovery offers a robust learning experience for elementary and middle school children. The school builds its curriculum around “brain-compatible learning,” which aims to shape students through multiple instructional techniques and strong character development. Tate’s School has several specialty area classes, including art, music, physical education,
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and Spanish. Located in Maryville, the ClaytonBradley STEM Academy is creating a unique learning experience for its students by partnering with the business community. The school offers STEMbased curriculum for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Cofounded by Clayton Homes, the school has teamed up with area companies and organizations to provide realworld experiences in the classroom. With the combination of STEM curriculum and practical business applications, the academy aims to prepare its students for tomorrow’s workforce. HIGHER-EDUCATION ACCESSIBILITY Graduating high school seniors have the opportunity to receive two years of community college or technical school tuition-free through the Tennessee Promise program. The program was created to address Gov. Bill Haslam’s “Drive to 55” mission, which aims to increase the percentage of Tennesseans with postsecondary certifications or degrees from 32 percent to 55 percent by 2025. In order to reach this goal, the state needs an additional 494,000 degrees or certifications, particularly in programs provided at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and community colleges. The program got off to a strong start in 2015, as community colleges and TCATs across the state welcomed more than 15,000 Tennessee Promise students. Tennessee Promise students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete community service hours to remain eligible for the scholarship. Post-secondary access and success program tnAchieves is helping Tennessee Promise students meet that benchmark. The program provides participating students with mentors that will coach them through the college application process and their first year or more of school.
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ADVERTISERS INDEX Aqua-Chem 3
Gibson Hotel Management
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Carson-Newman University
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Gouffon Moving & Storage
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Club LeConte 15
Grace Christian Academy
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Provision Cares
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Covenant Health 20
Hallsdale-Powell Utility District
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St. Mary’s School
11
Crye-Leike Relocation
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Tennessee State Bank
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UT Federal Credit Union
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Webb School
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Episcopal School of Knoxville
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Knoxville Area Transit (KAT)
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Pellissippi State Community College
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For more information on advertising opportunities with the Knoxville Chamber, call 865-637-4550.
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