Business Facilities -November 2008

METRO SPOTLIGHT Johnson City, Tennessee By Bill Trüb Johnson City: A Perfect 10in Tennessee O nce a 19th century railroad depot, Johnson City, TN has grown into a successful city with deep musical and historical roots. Positioned in the far eastern stretches of Tennessee, Johnson City spans Washington, Carter and Sullivan Counties. The MSA’s estimated population was 181,607 in 2006, with approximately 60,000 people residing in the city limits. Intelligent residents and a burgeoning business climate combine to make Johnson City one of Tennessee’s most notable metro areas. ranked fourth in the United States for excellence in rural medical education in 2009’s U.S. News & An aerial view of East Tennessee State University’s main campus in Johnson City, TN. Koyo Corporation of America’s new manufacturing facility is located in the Washington County Industrial Park. Washington Welcomes Two Japanese Auto Suppliers O PHOTO: LARRY SMITH, ETSU; JOHNSON CITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD SOURCE: TN LABOR MARKET REPORT World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” ETSU also was ranked in the top 25% of The knowledge community medical schools for primary care present at East Tennessee State education. The university has a University (ETSU), home to College of Pharmacy, as well. 13,000 students, solidifies JohnIn the business realm, Johnson son City’s educational foundaCity recently was ranked tenth by tion. The public university Forbes magazine’s “Best Smaller includes the James H. Quillen Metro Area for Business and College of Medicine, which was Careers.” In 2007, Washington County’s workforce 2007 NON-AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT totaled 60,600 BY GROUP JOHNSON CITY METRO AREA strong, with a INDUSTRY SECTOR MSA EMPLOYMENT countywide unemManufacturing 9,900 ployment rate of Goods Producing 13,400 4.1%, down from Transport/Comm./Utilities/Trade 14,000 4.9% in 2005 and Wholesale & Retail 12,700 5% in 2003, Financial Activities 5,000 according to the Professional & Business Services 6,900 Tennessee DepartGovernment 16,200 ment of EmployEducation & Health 12,900 ment Security. n October 27, 2008, two Japanese companies held an official opening and building dedication ceremony at the Washington County Industrial Park, located on Highway 11E near Johnson City, TN. Koyo Corporation of USA and Nakatetsu Machining Technologies broke ground in November of 2006 and their new manufacturing facilities became fully operational in May of this year. Both companies are involved in the manufacturing of bearings for the automotive industry and have brought approximately 100 to 150 new jobs, consisting primarily of machining, grinding, assembly, skilled trades and professional positions, to Johnson City and the surrounding area. “This is a positive development for Tennessee and Washington County,” says Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. “Attracting goodpaying manufacturing jobs is an important part of our job creation BUSINESS FACILITIES 19

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Business Facilities -November 2008 Contents First Word Sanpshots Corporate Moves: Utah Kodak Develops a Megasite in Upstate New York Anatomy of a Deal: Studley Finds a New Space for Myspace Metro Spotlight: Johnson City, TN A Renaissance of Growth in Medical Plastics The Lone Star State Flexes Its Muscles Asia: A Portrait of Growth Sky's the Limit for High-tech in Arizona Corporate Moves: Pennsylvania Ohio Leads the Way Alabama's Tide Rolls to the Future IEDC 2008 Award Winners Advertiser Index Introducing Navigator Livexchange

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