A consumer finance website ranks Cleveland among the best places in Tennessee to start a business.
NerdWallet ranked Cleveland 14th after examining 85 Tennessee locations with populations of 5,000 or more. The website examined factors related to business climate and local economic health.
According to the report, "Cleveland is one of the largest cities in our list. With 41,898 people, the city has 4,356 businesses and over 30 percent of these businesses have paid employees. These statistics, coupled with Cleveland’s ratio of businesses per 100 people (10.4), support the city’s strong business climate."
Mayor Tom Rowland noted this is not the first time NerdWallet has included Cleveland on lists of outstanding cities.
"After looking at some of the criteria," Mayor Rowland said, "it looks like we exceed the important ones such as low taxes and less regulation. Clevelanders are more and more shopping with local businesses as our merchants continue to offer more opportunities and selections of merchandise and services."
"A good barometer is the many ribbon cuttings sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce as new businesses open. Your elected officials and city staff strive to make it easy to begin a new business and encourage success of the entrepreneur who has faith to invest in the city. I am always proud when our city is recognized by someone on the outside," said Mayor Rowland.
NerdWallet ranked Alcoa first on its list, followed in order by Pigeon Forge, Crossville, Lebanon, Brentwood, Greeneville, Pulaski, Franklin, Sparta and Bristol. Sevierville was ranked eleventh, followed by Athens, Morristown, Cleveland and Knoxville.
Statewide, the website's study cites Tennessee's initiatives to encourage business startups and entrepreneurship, including Launch Tennessee, a public-private partnership.
Click here to see the study.