CNBC ranks Tennessee infrastructure among best

photo TDOT Commissioner John Schroer

NASHVILLE - Tennessee's transportation and infrastructure system remains among the nation's best, according to CNBC.

State Transportation Commissioner John Schroer on Thursday ballyhooed the state's No. 2 ranking, its fourth listing in the top ranks in as many years in that category by CNBC's "America's Top States for Business."

The state's No. 2 ranking is up from fourth place last year. Officials noted Tennessee is the only state at or near the top with no transportation debt.

"We are striving to be the best DOT in the nation," Schroer said in a news release. "This ranking is an affirmation of the efforts TDOT has made in the last two and half years to be innovative, efficient, and responsible."

That helps with economic development, he said.

The CNBC report scored all 50 states on 51 measures of competitiveness developed with input from business groups. The various areas are grouped into 10 broad categories, ranging from transportation to education. Tennessee also ranked well in the categories of workforce and cost of living. And overall, CNBC ranked Tennessee 13th when combining all categories.

But not everything looks good. In fact, CNBC put Tennessee next to the bottom -- No. 49 - on quality of life. And in education, the Volunteer State ranked 45th.

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