RESEARCH

One-Pager: Ranking of Tennessee’s Top 50 Cities Full Report: How Business-Friendly Are Tennessee’s Cities?   NASHVILLE – The Beacon Center of Tennessee, the state’s free market think tank, today announced the results of its seventh annual ranking of the state’s 50 most populous cities based on their business climate. The ranking is the result of data collected across ten factors considered to affect economic stability and growth. This year’s Most Business-Friendly City is Brentwood. Later this month, the Center will present Brentwood city officials with a plaque commemorating the honor. The study, titled How Business-Friendly are Tennessee’s Cities?, scores each city in three categories that reflect a commitment to encouraging business success and fostering economic growth. Those categories are Economic Vitality, Business Tax Burden, and Community Allure. Brentwood has consistently ranked toward the top, placing a close second for the past two years in a row. In 2012, its performance in a range of categories, including low taxes, a quality education system, strong population growth, high median income, low crime, and above average job growth, led it to the top overall spot. “Brentwood is an inviting place to do business,” said the Beacon Center’s Director of Policy Trey Moore, co-author of the report. “The city’s dedication to economic growth, low taxes, and community allure has paid off, leading it to the top of the business-friendly rankings.” The Middle Tennessee city finished first in the Economic Vitality category, sixth in Business Tax Burden, and fifteenth in the less-weighted category of Community Allure. “This award is a reflection of Brentwood’s commitment to creating a climate that is free of stifling taxes and inviting to businesses and entrepreneurs,” Moore said. “We applaud the local elected officials and business leaders for earning the distinction as Tennessee’s Most Business-Friendly City in 2012.” The full report, along with the ranking of each of Tennessee’s 50 most populous cities, can be found at http://www.beacontn.org/wp-content/uploads/2012-Business-Friendly-Cities-Report.pdf. For  simple list of the rankings without the full report, click here. The Beacon Center of Tennessee is an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan research organization committed to achieving a freer, more prosperous Tennessee. The Beacon Center’s mission is to change lives through public policy by advancing the principles of free markets, individual liberty, and limited government.

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