Tennessee

Overview

Great Britain obtained the area known as Tennessee after the French and Indian war in 1763. The land was settled as the state of Franklin in 1784, which was later abandoned and reformed into Tennessee in 1796. The state joined the Confederacy during the Civil War, despite the considerable pro-Union support found throughout the state. Today, the majority of Tennessee’s population lives in urban areas. The state is primarily industrial, producing vast quantities of chemicals, textiles, and apparel. Its agricultural output is primarily based around soybeans and tobacco. The Tennessee Valley Authority operates and maintains an extensive system of dams and reservoirs along the Tennessee and Cumberland River systems. The state is home to the headquarters of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited national park in the US, and the southernmost section of the Appalachian Trail follows the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Notable residents of Tennessee include Davy Crockett, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, and Quentin Tarantino.

Industry Stats

• There are more tire builders than travel agents in Tennessee.

• Of the 55,882 weddings held in 2015, 35,764 spent an average of $110 on gifts for the parents.

• There are only 1,335 barbers in Tennessee serving over 6.6 million people.

• More people work in religious organizations than banking in this state.

• Tennessee couples spent a combined $1.1 billion on weddings in 2015.

• Almost 60,000 people work in vehicle manufacturing in this state.

Living in Tennessee opens up several large markets for your small business. Both Memphis and Nashville are large, prosperous cities that have substantial tourism draws. A steady market combined with Tennessee’s low cost of living and stable economy enables startup success.

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