The Top 5 Reasons to Consider Northeast Tennessee for Your Next Expansion
Choosing where to expand your business is like buying a new home. There are many of the same factors to consider: What is the best location? Is the cost of living affordable? What job opportunities are available? How will this move improve our overall quality of life?
The Tri-Cities region of Northeast Tennessee ticks all of those boxes for aircraft-related maintenance, repair, and overhaul companies. Our region is home to Aerospace Park: a 160-acre development site located at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI). Besides providing exceptional advantages for business growth, operating from Aerospace Park is a unique opportunity in that it allows you to enjoy the benefits of a strong economy, low cost of living, and active lifestyle.
There are so many reasons why Northeast Tennessee is the perfect spot for your next expansion, but let me tell you about my top five:
Educated Workforce Availability
The availability of educated aviation maintenance technicians in our region is incredible. The Tri-Cities area is home to eight community and technical colleges with world-class aviation maintenance and advanced manufacturing programs, including the Tennessee Center for Advanced Technology (TCAT) in Morristown and the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM) in Kingsport. Additionally, the greater region offers an abundance of four-year universities with well-respected engineering programs.
Outside of the current pool of available skilled labor, our local network of educational institutions and aviation companies are working together to ensure a pipeline of engineers and technicians for years to come. It’s exciting to see partnerships develop like the one between Northeast State Community College and Bell, who have joined forces to launch an aviation maintenance technology program aimed at increasing the number of aircraft technicians within the Tri-Cities region.
Direct Runway Access
Location is everything in the aerospace industry — and Aerospace Park is in a prime spot. Aerospace Park is situated at TRI, a full-service commercial airport serving Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Kentucky. The site itself is 160 acres, with direct runway access to an 8,000’ main runway. The property’s strategic position, halfway between Miami and New York City, is central to many vibrant communities and businesses in the Eastern United States.
Solid Infrastructure
The Tri-Cities region is already equipped with superior logistics and transportation infrastructure. All you have to do is move in and set up shop! Whether importing, exporting, or distributing domestically, everything is in place to ensure your supply chain operates efficiently. Companies located at Aerospace Park also benefit from close proximity to two major interstates, I-81 and I-26, as well as a host of unparalleled highway networks.
Low Cost of Living
In today’s economic climate, cost of living is one of the most important factors when deciding to relocate — and Northeast Tennessee is one of the most affordable. Our region consistently appears as one of the lowest cost of living areas in Tennessee and the United States. At 13.9% below the national average and 9% lower than some of Tennessee’s largest cities, relocating your business to Aerospace Park can reduce your operational costs and living costs by huge percentages over time.
High Quality of Life
It’s an age-old saying, but it really is true for the Tri-Cities: There is something for everyone here. Our region is rich in history and culture, providing exciting opportunities to enjoy all types of entertainment and adventure: from NASCAR, to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, to the great outdoors. Nestled between North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky in the Appalachian Mountains, our region has 230 miles of internationally known rivers and 288 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend less time in traffic and more time hiking and camping in beautiful state parks? It’s easy to stay active here, from biking the Virginia Creeper Trail, to golfing at our picturesque courses, to fly-fishing or boating in our many lakes, rivers, and streams.
Northeast Tennessee is a great place to live, work, and play. With the development of Aerospace Park, it’s also the best place to expand your MRO operations. If you’re interested in learning more about Aerospace Park or want to schedule a site tour, contact me today.