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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennessee has been named a hub for food manufacturing, according to a new report.
A recent study conducted by Global Location Strategies assessed metropolitan areas across all 50 states to identify the top locations for food manufacturers in the country.
In their annual analysis, the United States is divided into eight distinct regions, categorizing Tennessee within the East South Central division alongside Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama. Among the top 10 metropolitan areas ranked for 2025, four were situated within this region.
Cities were ranked based on factors such as demographics, education standards, workforce capabilities, the presence of current industry infrastructure, road and interstate networks, as well as proximity to airports and rail systems. Other considerations included regulations, tax policies, legal environment, quality of life, commuting trends, community health, and environmental conditions.
In first place, Warner Robins, Georgia was named the most desirable spot in the country for food manufacturers.
In Tennessee, Clarksville was ranked fifth, climbing up 14 spots from its 2024 placement.
The city’s improved ranking comes shortly after the establishment of Kewpie Company’s new production facility, Q&B Foods, in Montgomery County. This facility marks the Japanese company’s second manufacturing site in the U.S., with the first located in California.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development praised the development during its opening in May, emphasizing that Japan is Tennessee’s leading foreign investment partner.
In addition to Clarksville, two other Tennessee cities ranked in the top 10: Chattanooga in eighth and Knoxville in ninth.
Rank | City |
1. | Warner Robins, Georgia |
2. | Savannah, Georgia |
3. | Huntsville, Alabama |
4. | Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
5. | Clarksville, Tennessee |
6. | Kansas City, Missouri-Kansas |
7. | Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Roswell, Georgia |
8. | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
9. | Knoxville, Tennessee |
10. | Gainesville, Georgia |
Didi Caldwell of Global Location Strategies noted that Tennessee attracts business owners due to two main factors: the existing industry ecosystem and its strategic location.
“When you look at Tennessee’s location relative to the population of the United States has really good logistics infrastructure and access so that you can deliver these goods to the consumer base fairly quickly,” she said.
Of the top 50 cities listed in the ranking, nine were in the East South Central region.
The full report can be viewed at globallocationstrategies.com.