U.S. Chamber ranks Tennessee No. 7 in trade and transportation

Tennessee ranked No. 7 among the 50 states for the quality of its transportation and trade and stood out for high-tech job growth, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s survey of states.

Georgia ranked even higher than Tennessee at No. 4 in transportation and trade, which was measured in terms of the states quality of roads and bridges – infrastructure that included access to broadband Internet services as well as the state’s trade enhancement programs.

The Chamber’s survey released Tuesday is intended to point to the states that are poised to thrive in the changing economy and ranks states across six policy measures based on policy makers’ ability to create job growth. North Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Colorado were ranked among the best performing states across the country.

In the South, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama were not at the top of the list on most policies related to innovation, entrepreneurship and creating a talent pipeline. But the states were mentioned as places where businesses in technology fields, such as software developers, marketing and sales managers and designers, have a chance to grow and take advantage of the educational infrastructure and low costs of living.