business & industry

Key business sectors in Germantown include: Medical and Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Education and Information Technology. Many of these companies have placed their national and regional headquarters in Germantown. 

Medical and Life Sciences - Home to Methodist LeBonheur, Baptist Rehabilitation, Campbell Clinic, West Cancer Center, OrthoSouth, Stern Cardiovascular and more, the city is a regional leader in medical care. Linkages to logistical assets such as FedEx – and air, rail, water and highway transportation systems make Germantown a critical location. With approximately 30% of Memphis area college graduates earning a bioscience/medical related degree, the Germantown Campus of Union University nursing programs and state-of-the art technology and medical space, Germantown is well positioned for growth in this cluster. The synergy of these companies come from their locations in the Central Business and Wolf River Districts. 

Manufacturing & Headquarters – With giants such as West Fraser and TK Elevator located here, Germantown has become a hub for international companies in manufacturing and distribution. Companies like MAA (S&P 500) choose Germantown for their corporate headquarters. Easy access, logistical assets, workforce strength and quality of life provide the key ingredients for small and mid-size companies to locate in one of five key economic Districts. These headquarters are located in the Forest Hill Heights District, the Central Business District and the West Poplar Avenue District.

Education – Germantown is known for exemplary education, from K-12 in both public and private schools. The Germantown Campus for Union University offers degrees in nursing and medical, masters of business administration and design/marketing. Germantown ranks among the highest in the state for educational attainment.

Retail – Saddle Creek is home to the first lifestyle shopping destination in the United States, making Germantown a shopping mecca in the Memphis region. Five commercial districts offer a wide variety of experiences and retail offerings. As one of the most affluent zip codes in Tennessee, Germantown has been recognized as one of the best suburbs in America due to its low crime rate, education, housing, and cultural and recreational amenities. Quality of Life is Germantown’s middle name.

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Ratings

Germantown is consistently ranked among the top communities in the United States, with a triple A bond rating from both Moody’s and Standard & Poors. It also enjoys the following top designations:

 

#2 (Tennessee) for the highest ACT composite in Germantown Municipal School District (view article) 

#15 (Tennessee) in Newsweek's Best High Schools (view article)

#2 (Tennessee) Best Places to Retire (view source)

#1 Best Suburbs to Live in Memphis Metro (view source)

Top 8% for money mangement skills (view article)

1 of 4 municipalities nationwide to have ever received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (view article)

1 of 191 (out of 12,000+) Parks and Recreation agencies nationally accredited through CAPRA and NRPA (view source)

The only City in west Tennessee designated a Platinum Sustainable Community through TVA, and only 1 of 5 cities in the TVA seven state region (view source)

1 of 9 pilot communities in Tennessee chosen for the Governor's Healthier Tennessee initiative (view article)

 

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TRANSPORTATION

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Located just 20 minutes east of Memphis, Germantown has direct access to the Memphis International Airport – America’s Aerotropolis. It also has direct access into the City from Interstates 40, 240 and 385. Germantown has convenient bus service via the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA)

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Taxes

Tennessee is one of the lowest-taxed states in the nation for both businesses and individuals. Other cost benefits to your business include low utility costs, low real estate costs, and a low cost of living. Germantown's sales tax rate is 1.6250% (in addition to Shelby County: 1.125% and Tennessee: 7.00%).  The property tax rate is $1.678 per $100 assessed value. 

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Workforce

The intellectual capital in Germantown is one of its greatest assets and makes it uniquely stand out among all other geographic comparisons. According to 2005-2019 Census ACS data, close to 98% of its youth are high school graduates, and 66% of Germantown’s population (age 25+) holds a bachelor’s degree or higher.

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INCENTIVES

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about our PILOT and Retention PILOT programs and other tools available through EDGE and the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development.

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