Business Facilities magazine, a national economic development publication, named Tennessee the 2009 State of the Year for the number of jobs created and amount of capital investment made.
The New Jersey-based magazine also named the Hemlock Semiconductor project in Clarksville, Tenn., its 2009 Silver Award winner for economic development deal of the year. Hemlock is investing $1.2 billion dollars and creating up to 900 jobs.
“With our strong and productive work force, low taxes and nationally recognized business climate, Tennessee continues to distinguish itself as one of the most business-friendly states in the nation,” Gov. Phil Bredesen said. The state is also involved with two other big projects — Wacker Chemie AG has announced plans for a $1 billion plant in Bradley County and Volkswagen is building a $1 billion auto assembly plant in Chattanooga.