The Knoxville-Oak Ridge-Smoky Mountains Region’s cultural, recreational, and business climate is thriving.

With the best of both worlds, urban and rural, it is easy to see why. Our region offers unparalleled natural beauty and recreational opportunities, a robust business environment, and topnotch educational institutions.

The Knoxville area itself has long been the center for economic growth, innovative technology, and arts and culture for the East Tennessee Region. A rich heritage, strong workforce, central location, low cost of living, and beautiful natural resources have no doubt contributed to the recent national recognition the Knoxville-Oak Ridge-Smoky Mountains Region has received.

• Expansion Management Magazine - 2006 Knoxville ranked No. 9 on list of America's 50 Hottest Cities.
• Economic Research Institute - 2006, ranked Knoxville best place in U.S. for recent college graduates.
• Forbes Magazine 2006 - "Knoxville ranked No. 5 for "Best Metros for Business and Careers"
• Forbes Magazine 2004 "Knoxville ranked No. 13 for "Best Places for Business Careers"
• Forbes Magazine 2003 "Knoxville ranked No. 22 in "Best Places for Business and Careers"
• Tennessee ranked No. 3 in the top 20 plastics locations by Business Facilities Magazine .
• Expansion Management Magazine June 2003 - "Knoxville Ranked 14 in "Top Logistic Cities in the Southeast"
• Southern Business and Development magazine June 2003 - "Knoxville is "Top Mid-Market" with population between 250,000 and 750,000.
• Millennium edition of "Places Rated Almanac" - Knoxville ranked third on Best Cities for Relocating Families list"
• "Places Rated Almanac" Millennium edition - No. 1 Best Place to Live for cities under 1 million populations.
• MSN Business - "Tennessee ranked No. 7 for the best states to have small business.
• Oak Ridge City School Districted ranked nationally in the top 20% by Expansion Management Magazine .