Nashville Livability Magazine 2024

.com/tn/nashville

Nashville Region TENNESSEE

2024

Discover Why Nashville is a great place to launch your business

A retail paradise beckons LAUGH IT UP!

Music City's vibrant comedy scene will keep you in stitches

THE PERFECT PICK INFINITE AMENITIES, BOOMING ECONOMY MAKE REGION THE RIGHT CHOICE Sponsored by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

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Nashville, Tennessee

2024 EDITION

VOLUME 21

Contents

22 To-Do List

Family

PHOTOS, FROM TOP: JEFF ADKINS; NADH PHOTO

AFFAIR 10 must-try activities for families visiting the region

7 More Than Music Live Here

Plus

Celebrate Nashville’s rich diversity through these cultural festivals.

Story on page 10

Wondering if Nashville is right for you? Here are five reasons you should consider making a move.

10 Fit Right In Quality of Life

Nashville Region welcomes newcomers with charm, amenities and job opportunities.

9 Company Chronicles 14 Peak Performance Inside Info

Music Venues

Learn from a local entrepreneur why Nashville is the perfect place to launch a business.

These four fabulous music venues bring the vibrant Nashville Sound beyond the city limits.

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livability.com/tn/nashville See what's happening online

Find Your Place

Make Your Move

Test Drive That City

New City! Now What?

You’ve got your sights set on a new place to live! But here’s why you should take that city for a spin first before making the final decision to pack up and move there. livability.com/test-drive-city

Moving can be daunting. You know you have tons of tasks to complete, but where do you even start?

Learn from someone who’s moved five times to five different states. livability.com/11-moving-tips

So you chose your new city and made the move. What’s next? Now comes the fun part! Check out these six things you need to know about starting a new life in a new place. livability.com/life-in-new-city

Read the Digital Magazine Twice the Views

Visit livability.com/tn/nashville to read each feature or view the digital magazine.

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Nashville Region

2024

TEN NES SEE

Discover

Why Nashv ille is a great place to launch your business

A retail paradise beckons LAUGH IT UP!

Music City's vibrant comedy scene will keep you in stitches

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Post the digital magazine on your website and share it with the world!

THE PERFEC T PICK INFINITE AMENITIES,

BOOMING ECONO

Sponsored by the

MY MAKE REGIO

Nashville Area

N THE RIGHT CHOIC

Chamber of Commer

ce

E

Find Your Best Place To Live at LIVABILITY.COM 4

Nashville, Tennessee

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ISTOCK.COM/FOTOSTORM, MORSA IMAGES, PIXDELUXE, ZBYNEK POSPISIL

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a new place to live. We have 16 questions you should ask yourself before making this life-changing decision. livability.com/find-your-next-place

contents

Nashville Region 2024 Edition

Volume 21

V.P./Director of Content ° Bill McMeekin Senior Editor ° John Nalley Editors ° Lindsey Hyde, Holly Tilleros Sponsored Content Editor ° Susan Chappell Contributing Writers ° Erica Buehler, Teree Caruthers, Laura Hill, Bill Lewis, Kim Madlom, Joe Morris, Kelly Rogers, Rebecca Treon Staff Writer ° Kevin Litwin V.P./Creative Services ° Laura Gallagher V.P./Operations ° Molly Morton Art Director ° Amy Hiemstra Senior Graphic Designers ° Eliza Hawkins, Beatrice Herndon, Cynthia Hester, Emmylou Rittenour, Lindsey Tallent Photo Director ° Alison Hunter Photo Editor ° Jess Spence Senior Photographers ° Jeff Adkins, Nathan Lambrecht V.P./Digital Strategy ° Richard Stevens Digital Editor In Chief ° Amanda Ellis Digital Marketing Director/Managing Editor Cara Sanders SEO Editor ° Misty Emery Web Developer ° Eric Montzka Digital Graphic Designer ° Catherine Atlas Integrated Media Manager ° Rhonda Adams V.P./Sales Operations ° Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Coordinator ° Patricia Moisan Senior Ad Coordinator/Designer ° Vikki Williams Senior Marketing Designer ° Holly Bikakis Marketing Coordinator ° Sarah Henderson

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16 Laugh It Up

36 Fertile Ground

27 Economic Profile

38 Future-Forward

Entertainment

This magazine is published annually by Livability Media, a division of Journal Communications Inc., and distributed through the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chairman ° Greg Thurman President/Publisher ° Bob Schwartzman Chief Operating Officer ° Kim Holmberg Executive Vice President ° Jordan Moore Senior V.P./Content Strategy ° Jessy Yancey V.P./Business Development ° Jared Lane Business Development Executives Drew Colston, Chad Eastham Controller ° Chris Dudley Senior Accountant ° Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator ° Maria McFarland Database Director ° Debbie Woksa Executive Secretary ° Kristy York Human Resources Manager ° Peggy Blake For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at 615-771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.

PHOTO: JEFF ADKINS

For more information, contact: Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce 500 11th Ave. North, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37203 615-743-3000 ° nashvillechamber.com © Copyright 2023 Journal Communications Inc., 6550 Carothers Parkway, Suite 420, Franklin, TN 37067, 615-771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Please recycle this magazine.

From stand-up to improv and beyond, the local comedy scene offers something for everyone.

Check out the key numbers.

28 “YoPro” Paradise Housing Options

Young professionals find hipness and history in the region’s vibrant, urban neighborhoods.

32 Setting Up Shop Retail

There’s plenty in store for the Nashville Region’s retailers.

On the Cover (story on page 22)

Visiting the Nashville Farmers Market is one of the many fun things to do in the city. Photo by Jeff Adkins

Q&A

Stony Creek Colors founder sees a bright future.

Nonprofits

Mission

The region’s workforce benefits from a strong corps of nonprofit organizations.

42 Past, Present Education

and Future

HBCUs play vital role in powering the region’s workforce.

46 In Great Health Health Care

Nashville builds on its status as the nation’s health industry hub.

48 Community Profile Gain deeper insights into the Nashville Region.

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Nashville, Tennessee

Live Here

More Than Music

FIVE REASONS THAT NASHVILLE MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU By Rebecca Treon When people think Nashville,

they think Music City, a nickname that hints at the music legends that have put the region on the map.

They think of nightlife on Broadway, as well as the world-class cuisine and big-name brands that call the region home. What may get missed at first glance, though, is that Nashville offers access to the outdoors just minutes from town, has a thriving economy, and boasts both a vibrant arts scene and a big sports fan base. Find out what else you may not know about Nashville – and why it may be the place for you.

1) TAKING OFF

PHOTOS: JEFF ADKINS

Nashville International Airport (BNA) has daily flights to major cities from coast to coast and beyond, including direct flights to hubs like London or Los Angeles, plus flights to smaller cities like McAllen, Texas, or Peoria, Illinois. What’s more, BNA is undergoing a significant renovation and construction project. Titled New Horizon, the plan will expand two concourses, add a new air freight building and improve roadways. The $1.4 billion project is expected to be completed in 2028.

2) ECON CLASS Nashville’s economy is not only healthy, but diverse. Companies

A top-notch airport and pro soccer are two great amenities in Nashville.

such as Bridgestone, Nissan, AllianceBernstein, Oracle and Amazon have a significant presence here.

And add to that list Tech giant Asurion, which has almost 4,000 employees in the region. So, it’s no surprise that companies like Tritium, LG Chem and Ultium Cells are investing in the area, too. Entrepreneurs also find Nashville to be an advantageous locale to open shop.

3) LAKE LIFE Nashville may be a bustling metropolis, but beautiful state parks, pristine lakes and rural attractions are just minutes from the city center. There are scenic wineries, breweries, distilleries and farms just waiting to be

explored. Radnor Lake is just 8 miles from downtown Nashville.

Radnor in the Round, a music festival that raises money for conservation, is one of the region’s many signature events.

4) ART SHOW Nashville’s art scene is constantly growing and changing with more than just musicians. The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), for example, is the hub of the city’s dance, opera, theater and Broadway shows with a running roster of works on stage. Opening two decades ago in a historic post office building, the Frist Art Museum showcases a variety of art, including temporary and traveling exhibitions.

5) GOOD SPORTS Nashville is home to professional sports teams like the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, the NHL’s Nashville Predators, the MLS’ Nashville Soccer Club and the Nashville Sounds Triple-A baseball team. Soccer fans are especially enthusiastic about the new GEODIS Park, a 30,000-seat stateof-the-art soccer-specific stadium situated near downtown at the historic Nashville Fairgrounds. livability.com/tn/nashville

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Nashville, Tennessee

Inside Info

Company Chronicles NASHVILLE IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO LAUNCH A BUSINESS

By Rebecca Treon

Monchiere’ Holmes Jones is the founder and chief brand curator at MOJO Marketing + PR, a full-service, experiential marketing and branding agency known for launching communitydriven, multicultural brands.

Holmes Jones started her company in 2013 with a focus on helping small, minority-owned businesses flourish.

What brought you to Nashville?

I’m originally from New Orleans, but I was living in Detroit and working at a corporate job when I had the chance to travel to Nashville in about 2008. I became fixated on moving to Nashville and would sit at my desk and daydream about it. It was much closer to home, near Louisville, Memphis and Atlanta. I didn’t officially make the jump until 2013, but I had been looking and searching and believing there was the opportunity to own my own business and fulfill my dream, and it’s come to fruition.

I feel like it was destiny.

Tell us about MOJO, who it works with and what it represents.

PHOTOS, FROM TOP: BRIAN MCCORD; ELLE DANIELLE

We are a multimillion-dollar firm located in the heart of historic Jefferson Street, which was the heart of the Black economic boom of the South. It was Black Wall Street and significant during

the Civil Rights Movement.

I intentionally put my office here.

MOJO Marketing is known for amplifying brands, community and culture. You don’t have to be African American or a minority, but because culture dwells heavily in the immigrant, minority and Hispanic spaces, that’s a big part of our clientele. I do a lot of intercultural connecting of the city through my community work, and it also folds into our business.

How has your business grown since you opened?

I originally launched the business from my home in New Orleans. I was

just doing PR, but I borrowed $200 from a girlfriend to get some business cards because I was waiting on the check from cashing out my 401(k), and I was headed to a networking event and needed cards. That was how it started. I moved to Nashville, took a job and did PR on the side, but I gave myself a treat and invested that year into networking and connecting with the community, so I could really understand the city and build what I was trying to build here. We launched full time in 2014 with one $60,000 client, and today we stand with seven employees and are a multimillion-dollar agency.

“I had been looking and searching and believing there was the opportunity to own my own business and fulfill my dream, and it’s come to fruition.

I feel like it was destiny.” livability.com/tn/nashville

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Quality of Life

FIT RIGHT IN

PHOTOS: JEFF ADKINS; TOP RIGHT: SMART USA

Nashville Region welcomes newcomers with charm, amenities and job opportunities

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Nashville, Tennessee

The Factory at Franklin

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ashville, a city on the rise within one of the fastestgrowing regions in the country, is the cultural melting pot of the South.

Known as Music City for good reason, live music is the lifeblood of this region, attracting talented musicians and enthusiastic fans from all over the globe. In addition, the creative force within the city and region extends beyond music into visual and performing arts and is as diverse as the region’s

Smart USA

population, which includes cultures from around the world.

Neither had jobs lined up, just faith.

Those are the reasons Erika Sanchez and her family moved from Southern California to Spring Hill in 2020.

Economic opportunity is a big draw for the region. Nashville is home to several global companies and a growing tech sector. The unemployment rate is low (2.1% in April 2023), and the average salary is higher than the national average, making it a great place to begin a job search.

“We picked Spring Hill on a Google map, packed up, and five weeks later, drove across the country,” she says. And she’s never looked back.

“We prayed about it for months and felt God telling us to take a leap of faith and go,” she says. “We decided it was going to work. It took my

Even so, newcomers find it easy to fit in with others who moved to the region for the same reasons – a new job, a fresh start or a chance to pursue a dream.

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Sanchez says moving to Spring Hill and the Nashville Region was “like having a weight lifted off our shoulders.”

Young professionals, musicians, creatives, entrepreneurs and military personnel can all find a niche in this dynamic region, which extends beyond the bustling city limits and encompasses the neighboring counties of Cheatham, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson.

Finding a Niche “These are my people,” Sanchez says.

“It felt like home from the beginning.

There are genuinely good people

here. We love the nature all around us, the green parks and the waterfalls.”

Sanchez spread the word to her family about the quality of life in the region, and soon, her younger brother moved to the area from New York, and her sister joined them with their mother.

Kristina Matthews, Sanchez’s sister, opened Oasis Health Center in Spring Hill. Sanchez does marketing for the company and is active in the local chamber of commerce. She also home-schools her children and says finding an active home-school community was a significant plus.

“We take field trips everywhere as part of our home-school program and as a family,” she says. “We

Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival

Cheekwood

CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA

These three festivals showcase the region’s potpourri of diversity COUNTY SUMNER IRISH FESTIVAL This event takes place every March at Bledsoe’s Fort Historical Park in Castalian Springs and includes Irish music and dance, Irish food and kid-friendly activities. Admission is $10 per vehicle.

CELEBRATE NASHVILLE CULTURAL FESTIVAL At this annual event every October behind The Parthenon in Centennial Park, about 50 cultures are highlighted through dance, music, food, a children’s area and an educational Global Village.

NASHVILLE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL This April festival at Nashville Public Square Park includes an Artist Avenue, Ginza Marketplace, J-Funland and a Taste of Japan, and live music.

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Nashville, Tennessee

visit the Frist Art Museum and Cheekwood in Nashville and the Polk Home in Columbia and enjoy events like the [Iroquois] Steeplechase.”

Jodan Ledford also saw something in the region and steered his company to choose Nashville for expansion.

“Nashville is exactly what our family was looking for,” says Ledford, CEO of Smart, a global savings and investments technology provider. Founded in the UK, Smart operates in the U.S. and globally.

A Perfect Fit Originally from Miami, Ledford has lived in major cities including Atlanta, Philadelphia and, most recently, Chicago. When it was time to choose a base for Smart, Ledford

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: JEFF ADKINS (1,3) NADH PHOTO (2); NATHAN LAMBRECHT (4)

husband just five weeks to find a job.”

CIRCLE PHOTO: SHOHREH DARAE

and his wife both liked the pace of the South and spent time in 2020 checking out the Nashville Region.

They liked the look of the landscape, the cultural and recreational assets.

“We were blown away by the beauty of the area,” he says. “It is one of the most beautiful places we have ever lived. In driving around, we saw that not only does the area offer a booming metropolis and an easily accessible airport, but in 20 minutes, you could be out in the country enjoying outdoor activities.”

The Ledfords and their two young children moved to the region in September 2020.

Ledford is committed to the region’s growth and joined the Nashville

Area Chamber of Commerce’s Partnership 2030 initiative, a strategy to maintain and grow the region’s economy by creating jobs, building a talented workforce and promoting a high quality of life.

Like Sanchez, Ledford wants to spread the word about the region. As a BritishAmerican Business Council member, he serves on a steering committee to attract more UK investment to the area.

“Nashville is a world-class city, a shining beacon on the hill. I wanted to get involved with this effort to grow the city and keep it great,” he says.

– Kim Madlom

Peter Jenkins Walking Trail in Spring Hill

FEELING WELCOME

KURDISH COMMUNITY FINDS A HOME IN NASHVILLE

Shohreh Daraei is part of Nashville’s Kurdish community, the largest in North America, with a population of more than 15,000.

Daraei, director of education and talent development for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, immigrated with her mother, father and younger brother to Nashville from Eastern Kurdistan (Western Iran) in 1999, along with many other Kurds in search of a better life and more opportunities.

The Kurdish population’s growth in the region is in part thanks to organizations like Catholic Charities and other nonprofits. “I have had a particularly strong bond to our community here and its people ever since,” Daraei says. “Our Kurdish community is our family now.”

And she’s bonded to the Nashville Region.

“There’s a place for everyone here in Nashville,” she says. “The economic opportunities, the welcoming nature and diversity of people, and the amazing food scene are just some of the things that make Nashville home for me.”

Daraei says she particularly enjoys Nolensville Road, with its Kurdish bakeries, markets and restaurants. The area is an example of why she loves Nashville.

Spring Hill Bark Park

“I think it’s important for people in our city to know the impact the Kurdish community has made, and will continue to make, to Nashville,” she says. “We are teachers, police officers, librarians, nurses, mechanics and more. We make our city go. We set down roots here, raise families and build careers. While we will always be proud Kurds, we are also proud Nashvillians. This city has given a lot to us, and we strive to give back every day.” livability.com/tn/nashville

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Music Venues FirstBank Amphitheater

Marathon Music Works

MARATHON MUSIC WORKS Davidson County marathonmusicworks.com

PERFORMANCE Music venues bring the Nashville Sound beyond the city limits. Put these four top stops on your list.

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Nashville, Tennessee

It’s no secret that Nashville is the epicenter of live music in Middle Tennessee – but there are plenty of incredible music venues in the surrounding areas, too. Whether you prefer a more intimate setting or an energizing crowd, drive in any direction, and you’re sure to find a place to enjoy the famous Nashville Sound. Here are four music venues to check out in and around Nashville:

FIRSTBANK AMPHITHEATER

Williamson County firstbankamphitheater.com Leave those city lights behind and head to FirstBank Amphitheater, where you experience “Music City in the country.” Located at the Graystone Quarry, just outside of Franklin, this setting incorporates nature into the concert experience, thanks to the surrounding trees, meadows and wildlife. There’s no shortage of parking, but you do have to walk about a quarter mile on a paved path to reach the venue itself – a quick and easy sojourn that’s well worth the effort, when the payoff is experiencing live music encompassed by nature.

PHOTOS, FROM LEFT: BEN NEELY; JEFF ADKINS; NATHAN LAMBRECHT; BCA STUDIOS

PEAK

Close to downtown Nashville, you’ll find Marathon Village, an old automobile factory that’s been converted to a multiuse retail and entertainment space. One of the tenants is Marathon Music Works, a 1,500-person standing-room concert venue that hosts a wide variety of acts. There is plenty of affordable, easy-to-find parking nearby, making it one of the lowest-hassle concert spots in Nashville proper.

Mulehouse

THE MULEHOUSE Maury County themulehouse.com

A church-turned-music venue with gorgeous stained-glass windows and transcendent acoustics? No, we’re not talking about the Ryman – we’re talking about The Mulehouse in historic Columbia, which opened in 2021 after a $7 million renovation that turned the beloved, abandoned

building into a shining centerpiece for the community. The venue can hold up to 500 guests and is decked out with state-of-the-art sound systems and live-streaming 4K technology. In the future, the owner also plans to add a restaurant and boutique hotel to the space, which could simplify the entire concertgoing experience: lodging, food and entertainment all in one place.

The Sunset Music Colosseum on the River

THE SUNSET MUSIC COLOSSEUM ON THE RIVER Rutherford County (website coming soon)

Set to open in 2023, this campus will feature an indoor venue that seats 1,500 and an amphitheater that seats 4,500. On-site restaurants and fire pit suites will make it an ideal spot to gather all year long.

– Kelly Rogers

Entertainment

LAUGH ITUP

From stand-up to improv and everything in between, Nashville’s comedy scene offers something for everyone

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esides being famous comedians with Netflix specials, there’s another thing that stand-up comedians Nate Bargatze, Dusty Slay, Henry Cho and Kathleen Madigan have in common: they all live in Nashville.

From open mic nights at intimate venues to well-known clubs with legendary stages, Nashville is an ideal place to experience topnotch comedy.

Stand-Ups Take the Stage Though an unassuming brick building from the outside, Zanies Comedy Night Club is the premiere comedy venue in the region, drawing top talent from

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Nashville, Tennessee

across the nation. In addition to booking big names like Neal Brennan and Michelle Wolf, there are plenty of shows that feature emerging and rising comedians, too.

around town, like The Ryman, the Grand Ole Opry and The Mulehouse.

The Opry, in particular, has been a longstanding staple in Nashville’s comedy scene.

Zanies also hosts “New Material Mondays,” where audience members are treated to a surprise lineup of comedians as they work out new material – and you never know who might show up to perform! (Pro tip: If you love surprise entertainment like this, also check out Don’t Tell Comedy, which coordinates pop-up performances in town and across the nation.)

“Comedy has been a rich part of the Opry’s performance mix since some of its earliest days,” says Dan Rogers, Grand Ole Opry executive producer.

“For several decades, Minnie Pearl was among the Opry’s most recognizable faces nationally, appearing on television and promoting the Opry wherever she went.”

Of course, famous comedians also perform at much larger venues

In 2023, for the first time in 50 years, comedians became members of the Grand Ole Opry cast with the induction of Henry Cho.

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: JEFF ADKINS (1,3); RACHEL KOHLS (2); MICHAEL D. TEDESCO (4); NATHAN LAMBRECHT (5)

Third Coast Comedy Club

Nashville Improv

Third Coast Comedy Club

Ryman Auditorium

“We work to include comedy in Opry shows several times a month,” Rogers says. “A great comedy set makes any Opry show better.”

Besides individual shows across town throughout the year, there’s one big event that celebrates comedy on a huge scale: the Nashville Comedy Festival. An annual showcase that’s known

Zanies

as “the funniest week in Nashville,” this event features a jam-packed schedule of regional and national comedic talent in multiple venues across town.

The 2023 festival featured the Tennessee Kid himself, Nate Bargatze, as the main headliner, with Leanne Morgan, David Spade and Fortune Feimster as fellow

headliners, along with dozens of other performers.

Improv and Beyond Nashville also has a strong community of comedians that specialize in improv, sketch and other forms of comedy. Third Coast Comedy Club is an absolute staple in this category, offering a vast variety

“We really pride ourselves on doing comedy of all stripes, and we want people from all walks of life to be able to come in and experience comedy.”

– Scott Elam, Third Coast Comedy Club livability.com/tn/nashville

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of shows encompassing every genre of comedy you can think of. Located in Marathon Village, the club primarily highlights local talent, with both in-house and outsideproduced shows taking the stage.

“Our bread and butter is improv, but we have stand-up, sketch comedy, musicals and talk shows – we do a little bit of everything,” says Scott Elam, artistic director and training center director of

Third Coast. “We really pride ourselves on doing comedy of all stripes, and we want people from all walks of life to be able to come in and experience comedy.”

Musical, the Third Coast Stand-Up Showcase and Alco-LOL, where the host crowdsources drinking rules for the performers at the beginning of the show.

Many of the house produced shows are recurring, like the weekly Third Coast Comedy Show, which combines short and long-form improv in a familiar “Whose Line is it Anyway” -style format. Other popular shows include Cherry Bomb: An Improvised

Third Coast also has a robust training center, offering classes across the spectrum of comedy practices, including improv, stand-up, writing and even clown classes. (Yes, you read that right: clown classes.)

Another improv act in town, Nashville Improv, does pop-up shows all over Nashville, including a regular gig at City Winery.

“We specialize in short form and musical improv,” says Jarvis Bynum, director of Nashville Improv. “We do a lot of themed shows, including our T. Hanks Giving Show and our one-act improvised musicals.”

No matter where you go to get your comedy fix, there’s always something new and hilarious to experience, thanks to Nashville’s incredible comedians, who are bound to leave you laughing.

– Kelly Rogers

Clockwise, from top: Grand Ole Opry, Minnie Pearl wax figure at Madame Tussauds, Nashville Improv

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Nashville, Tennessee

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE WORLDWIDE STAGES BRINGS TOP-NOTCH MUSIC AND FILM PRODUCTION TO SPRING HILL A satellite location that personifies Nashville’s talented music and video industries can be found 30 miles south of Music City in Spring Hill.

PHOTOS (LEFT PAGE), CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT: RACHEL KOHLS; JEFF ADKINS (2-3); RIGHT: NATHAN LAMBRECHT

Worldwide Stages provides hightech soundstage and production facilities for artists wanting to make professional music videos, TV shows, short films or movies.

With its motto of “We Provide A-List Facilities for A-List Talent,” the company offers advantages like multiple soundstages, green rooms, production suites and a private 70-seat theater for intimate performances. The facility also features the region’s largest CYC wall (a blank curved wall used as a backdrop in photography and video production).

Also on-site is a Grade A commercial kitchen that can feed hundreds who might be in attendance to shoot videos or films, and there are more than 1,000 parking spaces.

One entertainment genre that often books Worldwide Stages is top country music stars, many of whom will travel to Spring Hill to practice and work out any sound/production kinks prior to staging their concerts at Nashville venues, including at Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium and Ryman Auditorium.

Worldwide Stages also has many security provisions in place to protect artists and their work. Find out more at worldwidestages.com.

– Kevin Litwin

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A GOODLETTSVILLE

Getaway

There’s only one Goodlettsville in the world, and you won’t want to miss it!

Located 12 miles north of downtown Nashville, Goodlettsville offers a serene setting just minutes from the lights and sounds of Music City.

More than 1,500 budgetfriendly hotel rooms and two RV resorts make the city an ideal home base for exploring the entire region. And as an excellent destination in its own right, a Goodlettsville

getaway includes plenty of ways to stay and play.

A PIONEERING SPIRIT Learn about the region’s settlers, as interpreters in period dress bring the past to life at Historic Mansker’s Station. An authentic reproduction of the original 1779 settlement, cabins and outbuildings made of hand-hewn timbers and re-created interiors showcase frontier life.

Also on-site, the Bowen House illustrates the transition from fort life to estate living. Built by

Discover history, arts, natural beauty and more near downtown Nashville

Revolutionary War veteran Capt. William Bowen, the home is believed to be the longeststanding brick structure in Middle Tennessee.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES ABOUND Goodlettsville boasts six parks, including the 147-acre Moss-Wright Park that is home to sports fields, a walking trail, dog park, Mansker’s Station and the visitor’s center.

It’s easy for guests of all ages to be active. Kids can burn off energy on multiple

playgrounds, the Splash Pad at Peay Park and Pleasant Green Pool.

Golfers love the links at Twelve Stones Golf Club, featuring 18 championship holes, a learning center with TrackMan technology and dining at the Sand Trap. Tennis and pickleball enthusiasts get into the swing of things on the courts at Peay Park.

MUSIC & MURALS Many renowned musicians have called Goodlettsville home – from legendary singers such as Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn

to current hitmakers Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

Today’s talented artists carry on the traditions of Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff on Friday nights at the Long Hollow Jamboree & Restaurant, where the music and the catfish are served up hot. Throughout the summer, enjoy Music on Main’s outdoor concert schedule.

With a nod to Brooks, “Blame It All on My Roots” at the visitor’s center is Goodlettsville’s newest mural highlighting the city’s rich culture. Local artists are also responsible for turning utility boxes into works of art with scenes depicting nature and local landmarks.

SHOPPING & DINING Start the day with a Southern breakfast at Liz’s Kitchen before treasure hunting in Goodlettsville’s

Spend time enjoying all of the amenities that Goodlettsville offers, from outdoor recreation and music to dining and shopping. The city is just 12 miles north of downtown Nashville.

Main Street District, which is filled with local boutiques and antique shops.

When you’re ready to refuel, try a sweet treat from Hometown Donuts, seasonal fare at Chef’s Market and global flavors at Pasta Galifi.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP From Heritage Days in the spring to Hometown Holidays at year’s end, don’t miss a minute of fun.

Plan your perfect getaway by going online to

VisitGoodlettsville.com and click on the red button to create an interactive map of mustsee options. Download the free Visit Goodlettsville app for easy access to your customized itinerary.

From May-October, the Goodlettsville Farmers & Artisan Market features a wide array of produce, baked goods, ready-to-eat treats and crafts each Thursday.

SPONSORED BY VISIT GOODLETTSVILLE/CITY OF GOODLETTSVILLE

FAMILY AFFAIR

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: JEFF ADKINS (1,2); GREG EMENS (GIRAFFE); NATHAN LAMBRECHT

10 must-try activities for families visiting the region

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To-Do List

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here are numerous venues and attractions that suit the tastes of all ages and personalities in and around Nashville. And that’s especially good news for families, who have no trouble finding something fun to do together, from museums to U-pick farms, zoos to outdoor festivals.

Whether you’re new to the area, or just visiting, here are 10 musttry activities for families:

1. Learn Something New. The Nashville Region has an abundant amount of museums and cultural attractions that are ideal for families. In Murfreesboro, the Earth Experience Museum allows kids to explore natural history through archeological finds and fossils, while the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring offers a children’s museum, nature center and wetlands boardwalk. Closer to downtown Nashville, families can explore the ever-changing exhibits at the Frist Art Museum or go to the Adventure Science Center. In Columbia, the aMuse’um Children’s Museum gives kids a place to learn, think and create.

Clockwise, from left: Adventure Science Center, Nashville Zoo at Grassmere and Honeysuckle Hill Farm are great places for family fun.

2. Go Wild. At the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, your only challenge will be deciding what activity to do first. The Zoo not only features wild animals from around the world in educational exhibits, but a historic house, animatronic dinosaurs, a zipline, a 4-D theater, animal encounters, a giant jungle gym, a train and a carousel.

3. Be an Agritourist.

The counties surrounding Nashville have a long agricultural tradition, and you can take part in it. Visit places like Honeysuckle Hill Farm, a family-friendly attraction with a pumpkin patch and adventure

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4. Step Outside. Middle Tennessee has Percy Priest Lake, along with numerous beautiful state parks not far from the city center. The 1,368-acre Radnor Lake State Park is just 8 miles from downtown and features 5 miles of unpaved trails that surround the lake. In Cheatham and Davidson counties, Harpeth River State Park connects several historic, natural and archeological sites along the Harpeth River. Forty miles west of Nashville,

Montgomery Bell State Park near Dickson spans 3,782 acres and offers camping, cabins, a lodge, hiking, golf and 23 miles of mountain biking trails. For a unique outdoor experience, take a cave tour at Dunbar Cave State Park in Montgomery County.

5. Cheer on the Home Team.

Nashville is home to several professional sports teams. You can cheer on the NFL Tennessee Titans

at Nissan Stadium, the MLS Nashville SC at GEODIS Park and the NHL Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Triple A Nashville Sounds baseball team plays at First Horizon Park.

6. Mosey to Main Street. The Nashville Region is home to many charming small towns like Franklin in Williamson County, Columbia in Maury County and Springfield in Robertson County, where you can

National Museum of African American Music

Downtown Franklin Nashville Farmers Market

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Nashville, Tennessee

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM RIGHT: JEFF ADKINS (1-3); NATHAN LAMBRECHT; BRIAN MCCORD

park in Coopertown; Shade Tree Farm and Orchard, a U-pick apple orchard located in Adams; and Bloomsbury Farm in Smyrna, a certified organic farm with a farm stand selling fresh produce.

spend the day exploring quaint and historic downtown squares filled with locally owned shops and restaurants.

7. Dive Into the Music Scene. You can’t turn a corner in the Nashville Region without encountering music.

Dive into the region’s music history

at the National Museum of African American Music and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, two of the country’s most significant music museums.

kids and parents can enjoy themselves. While parents camp out at the picnic table surrounded by tasty food and drinks, kids have many acres to roam and play.

8. Have a Drink With a View.

Arrington Vineyards in Williamson County is a place where both the

9. Try a Sensory-Safe Experience.

Play at the We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym, a Williamson County indoor play space that is full of equipment designed for kids of all abilities – especially those with sensory processing disorders.

10. Put It on Your Calendar.

Nashville is home to many annual art festivals, from Full Moon Pickin’ Party to the Southern Festival of Books. One year-round highlight is the Nashville Farmers Market, which houses outdoor market sheds, along with an indoor Market House.

– Rebecca Treon

find more online Arrington Vineyards

Thinking about moving to Nashville?

Get to know the Music City a little more: livability.com/tn/nashville.

Score a fun evening with the Nashville Predators.

livability.com/tn/nashville

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PHOTO(S):

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Nashville, Tennessee

Economic Profile EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT High school or higher .......................... 91.9% Bachelor’s degree or higher .......................... 40.2%

MAJOR EMPLOYERS (Nashville Region)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center ................. 24,039 Nissan North America ....... 11,000 HCA Healthcare ................ 10,600

INCOME

COST OF LIVING

$40,730

103.1

Per capita income

$72,725 Median household income

Nashville

167.8 Seattle 244 San Francisco 176.2 Los Angeles

HOUSEHOLD INCOME

Vanderbilt University ........... 9,107

153.4 Boston 107.4 Chicago

168.6 NYC 99.7 Nashville Charlotte 109.4 Atlanta 129.4 Austin

Saint Thomas Health ........... 8,335 Randstad ...........................4,500

LABOR FORCE BY SECTOR

Asurion ..............................4,400 Amazon.com ......................4,000

Trade, Transportation & Utilities ....... 20.0%

Community Health Systems ...3,925

Professional & Business Services ...... 16.9%

General Motors ...................3,800

Education & Health Services ........... 14.6% Governnment ................................ 11.5%

DID YOU KNOW?

There are 500 health care companies in the Nashville MSA that account for $95 billion in annual revenue.

Sources: Census Reporter, Nashville Area Chamber, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sperling’s Best Places

Leisure & Hospitality ...................... 11.4%

$49,000 and under ................33% $50,000-99,999 ...................32% $100,000-$200,000 ..............25% $200,000+ ...........................10%

Manufacturing ................................. 8.0% Financial Activities ........................... 6.8% Construction ................................... 4.6% Other Services................................. 4.0% Information ..................................... 2.3%

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Housing Options

Charlotte Park

Paradise Young professionals find hipness and history in the Nashville Region’s vibrant, urban neighborhoods

M

ore than a decade after being designated by The New York Times as an “It City” (again), Nashville continues to be a magnet for new residents, particularly the younger professional, or “YoPro” cohort.

These newcomers are eager to sample the area’s divine cuisine, vibrant culture and abundant nightlife options, and they also want to put down city roots. Happily, there

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Nashville, Tennessee

are plenty of urban neighborhoods – both in Nashville proper and in the nearby, bustling downtowns of cities like Murfreesboro and Columbia – for them to explore.

Here’s a look at a few of the Nashville Region’s old, yet new, neighborhoods that offer a strong sense of community, convenience and charm for young professionals looking for a place to call home.

Just a few miles from downtown Nashville, the WeHo neighborhood has capitalized on its roots as a creative hub to become its own arts scene. Galleries, studios and workshops abound here, with plenty of shops, restaurants, distilleries and nightspots nestled in as well.

“This trendy area offers a mix of modern developments and historic buildings that have been repurposed into trendy shops, bars and restaurants,” says Tonya Hamilton, vice president of relocation and business development for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Woodmont Realty. “The neighborhood is close in proximity to downtown, and its affordable housing options have made it a desirable location for young professionals who are looking for a more urban lifestyle.

In addition to its lively social scene,

PHOTOS. FROM LEFT PAGE: JEFF ADKINS; BRIAN MCCORD

“YoPro”

Wedgewood-Houston

The Next Great Neighborhood COMMUNITY LEADERS AND BUSINESSES MOVE FORWARD WITH THE EAST BANK DEVELOPMENT Plans are moving forward to develop a community on the east side of the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville that will focus on affordable housing, outdoor green spaces and safe multimodal connections for businesses.

Wedgewood-Houston

“The close-knit community and friendly atmosphere make it a great place for young professionals who are looking for a supportive and inclusive environment.”

– Tonya Hamilton, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Woodmont Realty WeHo is home to several cultural attractions and events and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, thanks to several parks and green spaces nearby.”

atmosphere make it a great place for young professionals who are looking for a supportive and inclusive environment.”

Charlotte Park

Just northeast of downtown Nashville, between the communities of Goodlettsville and Hendersonville, Madison is a vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhood. Over the years, the area has become increasingly popular among young professionals who are attracted to its convenient location, affordable housing and eclectic mix of restaurants and shops, Hamilton says.

ILLLUSTRATION: ISTOCK.COM/ADEKVAT

On Nashville’s west side, Charlotte Park sits near another hot spot, The Nations, and it also connects newcomers with an area that’s home to longtime residents as well as more recent transplants.

“Charlotte Park has become increasingly popular in recent years as a quiet, residential neighborhood that offers easy access to the city’s many attractions,” Hamilton says.

“Many Charlotte Park homes are mid-century, ranch-style houses that have been updated with modern amenities, giving the neighborhood a comfortable and welcoming feel. The closeknit community and friendly

Madison

East Bank is the new downtown neighborhood being explored

by Music City elected officials, with the proposed development located on 338 acres of underutilized land along the river.

“In the heart of our city’s thriving downtown sits an exceptional opportunity to build Nashville’s next great neighborhood along the East Bank of the Cumberland River,” said Nashville Mayor John Cooper, in a press release.

Tentative plans include a 15-acre mixed-use development along North First Street, and also under consideration is a mixed-income housing area with 2,390 units called Cayce Place. Along the riverfront, there will be a public greenway for pedestrians and bicyclists.

In addition, tech giant Oracle has purchased 70 acres for a new campus that will host 8,500 employees. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are planning a $2.1 billion enclosed stadium on an East Bank site.

– Kevin Litwin

“Madison is home to a number of apartment complexes and rental properties that offer young professionals a range of living options, from modern lofts to more traditional apartments,” Hamilton says. “The area’s proximity to downtown Nashville, as well as livability.com/tn/nashville

29

its easy access to major highways, make it a great location for young professionals who need to commute to work or travel around the city.

It also boasts a variety of cultural and recreational attractions and is home to several parks and green spaces, as well as a lot of local restaurants, bars and cafes that offer a wide range of dining and nightlife options.”

Downtown Columbia

Downtown Columbia and Murfreesboro

“Downtown Columbia is charming, historical and attractive, thanks to its unique blend of Southern charm, cultural attractions and affordable living,” Hamilton says, adding that

in a similar vein, downtown Murfreesboro also features a “dynamic and diverse social scene, with plenty of opportunities for networking and socializing.”

As far as housing goes, each provides everything from rental

WELCOME FIDO If you live in an apartment or close to the heart of Nashville and own a dog, there is still plenty of room for your pet to stretch its legs, fetch a ball and enjoy the company of other pups.

Dog parks can boost your dog’s physical health and serve as a tight-knit community for pet owners.

Better yet, now there are a few dog park cocktail bars in the Music City where your pet can

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Nashville, Tennessee

actually accompany you on a date night, trivia night or happy hour.

Bark Public House Location: The Gulch neighborhood of Nashville Bark Public allows owners to enjoy a cocktail or two while dogs run in the play yards. Other services offered at Bark Public include dog grooming, dog day care, boarding and a retail store.

options in historic, converted spaces to new construction. Best of all, getting to and from each of these urban centers is easy thanks to nearby major highways and public transportation options.

– Joe Morris

Dog park bars cater to pooches and their owners

Urban Dog Park Location: The Nations neighborhood Urban Dog Park specializes in “tails, ales and cocktails,” featuring a fully stocked bar adjacent to an off-leash outdoor park that is separated for larger and smaller dogs.

Hop Springs Beer Park Location: Murfreesboro This park spans 83 acres and is largely known for staging outdoor concerts,

but its indoor taproom is adjacent to a spacious dog park that also connects to a walking trail lined by a creek.

PHOTOS. FROM TOP: MICHAEL CONTI; ISTOCK.COM/ADOGSLIFEPHOTO

Within the Nashville Region, you’ll also find Columbia and Murfreesboro, friendly communities whose downtowns are becoming home to increasing numbers of young professionals, who are looking for more affordable alternatives to big-city life. In Murfreesboro, those young professionals include Middle Tennessee State University students, many of whom choose to stay in the area after graduation.

Banking Made Easy F&M Bank is committed to being your financial partner

For nearly 120 years, F&M Bank – originally known as Farmers & Merchants – has been a partner people can count on.

Whether for business or personal finances, F&M Bank values the connections it creates in the many communities it serves.

“We are a relationship bank.

That means we show up in our communities and for our customers as a partner,” says Sammy Stuard, CEO and Chairman of F&M. “We know our customers work hard to earn a living. And we believe

in working just as hard to help them make the most of their money.”

F&M Bank, which has been headquartered in Clarksville since 1993, has grown to 20 locations in Tennessee and Kentucky.

“We were founded in 1906, which speaks volumes about F&M’s strength and stability,” Stuard says. “Our growth path began in the northern part of Middle Tennessee.

However, our approach to growth in today’s market is multipronged – to the South within the Nashville MSA – specifically Franklin, Midtown/ Nashville, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro and Hendersonville – and north to Kentucky, including Bowling Green and Hopkinsville.”

F&M is recognized as a financial and civic leader that has garnered national recognition as a model for community banking in The Wall Street Journal and Entrepreneur magazine, and is now known as one of Tennessee’s most outstanding independently owned banks.

Community leadership is evident in the recent partnership with Austin Peay State University in Clarksville to create a “Banking on Govs” program. The first of its kind in Tennessee, the program offers business students training, networking and mentorship opportunities within the banking industry.

But Stuard says what truly differentiates F&M Bank from other financial institutions is that the bank goes out of its way to make banking easy.

“We are purposeful in our approach to service and helping individuals who bank with F&M find financial success,” Stuard says. “Building a business and achieving specific milestones in life can be difficult.

But we know that banking doesn’t have to be – and that’s the goal of F&M – to make financial business easy. We are truly a community bank with a specific set of values – all of which are focused on providing the best customer experience.”

F&M Bank now has 20 locations in cities across Tennessee and Kentucky.

SPONSORED BY F&M BANK

Retail

Setting Up There’s plenty in store for Nashville Region retailers

SHOP

B

ig-name brands that can’t be found just anywhere have a presence in the Nashville Region. Nashville-based retail developments are creating a new trend and featuring small businesses next to multimillion-dollar retail concepts – which is no surprise, considering the region’s reputation for turning homegrown talent into nationally recognized names.

Going Big, Supporting Local Expected to open in 2023, Tanger Outlets is taking a local approach to its newest development. Kendall Merrick, general manager for Tanger Outlets Nashville, says she couldn’t be happier that she returned to Tennessee for the position.

When it came to planning the

Southeast Nashville development, the focus landed on the property reflecting the creative energy that is the hallmark of the city.

“We’re doing that by incorporating small and local businesses,” Merrick says. “We’re able to introduce entrepreneurs to a wider market and elevate their brands.”

The new development will unveil a new format unlike any of its other malls, with the 290,000-square-foot center housing approximately 60 brands, including popular local concepts, well-known national retailers and new-to-market brands.

“This center will become the future of the retail sector,” Merrick says.

“This property will feature a community gathering space at the heart of the development, offering a destination to connect with family and friends and enjoy a variety of special events and programming.”

The outlet brand is also known for giving back to the communities it calls home, like at its 2022 Nashville groundbreaking.

PHOTO: JEFF ADKINS

“We kicked off our philanthropic efforts by donating to Friends of Mill Ridge Park,” Merrick says.

“We selected them because they complement Tanger’s mission, as we share a focus on environmental protection, conservation, outdoor recreation and cultural enrichment.”

Said focus is also the driving force behind special features at select Tanger Outlets, like employing beehives with the support of

“There’s a lot of community and kindness here ... people appreciate supporting local.”

Ameraucana Blue at The Factory at Franklin

– Sara Weymouth, owner and founder of Lemon Gift Shop livability.com/tn/nashville

33

Alvéole, an organization that specializes in urban beekeeping “We believe, with our community focus, that Tanger Nashville will be the heart of the Southeast Nashville community.”

The Ability to Flourish The Mall at Green Hills houses over 100 stores, including a handful of select small businesses like Molly Green and Bognar & Piccolini.

Brandon Green, co-owner of Molly Green, says the brand began with a storefront in Franklin’s CoolSprings Galleria and grew from there.

“We’re family-run,” he says. “We aim to provide affordable clothes that are also unique in style.

We’ve definitely felt supported by the Nashville community and the mall staff.”

ou

tiq

ue

The Mall at Green Hills

eR H olli

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As for being a small business located amongst some of the larger brand names, Green says the notoriety of bigger stores helps the boutiques out, too.

“Being in the mall definitely allows us to get more foot traffic and be successful,” he says. “It’s all about foot traffic for small businesses; that, and if you have the visual appeal to bring customers in, and then offer them the experience and product they’re looking for.”

The Factory at Franklin is like a mall but with Franklin’s mostloved local businesses, offering everything from collectible vinyl records and unique home décor to artisan goods.

Lemon Gift Shop at The Factory at Franklin

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Nashville, Tennessee

Sara Weymouth, owner and founder of Lemon Gift Shop, didn’t anticipate running her business out of the Nashville Region when she started

PHOTOS: JEFF ADKINS; CIRCLE: NATHAN LAMBRECHT

Smart Business Move

it, but she’s grateful to experience the region’s welcoming community and shopper’s haven that is The Factory at Franklin.

Originally from California – where she initially launched Lemon as a pop-up in 2017 – Weymouth began building a small-business empire with multiple storefronts.

But a family move to the region in 2020 meant leaving the California shops behind and ultimately starting anew in Tennessee.

“The hardest part about picking up and moving across the country was that the business was so established,” she says. “At first, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. But after exploring all my options, I wasn’t ready to let go.”

One major difference between the Franklin shop and the former California outposts is the level

DESIGNER’S

Oasis

The trendy Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood of Nashville is a growing art hub, with several former factories turned into studios and artistic spaces.

The neighborhood is also the home of the Nashville Design Collective, which features individual showrooms that allow design professionals, contractors, architects and everyday shoppers to access textiles, flooring, lighting, kitchen items, bath items and imported wares under one roof.

Located in two parcels on Merritt Avenue, the collective features several premium interior design brands. of tourism and foot traffic seen at The Factory at Franklin.

“It’s a hot spot for people to visit,” Weymouth says. “We get an interesting mix of locals and tourists, which is new for us.”

And what exactly drew Weymouth and her family to Franklin from the Golden State? “Everything is better

here,” she says. “There’s a lot of community and kindness here, and people appreciate supporting local and put a bigger emphasis on it. We’ve also got three boys, and Williamson County has some of the country’s top schools; there are many qualities we didn’t have before.”

– By Erica Buehler

Q&A

Fertile Ground STONY CREEK COLORS FOUNDER SEES A BRIGHT FUTURE

Sarah Bellos is the founder of Stony Creek Colors, the fastest-growing manufacturer of natural indigo globally.

Based in Springfield, which is located just north of Nashville, the company serves fashion brands as well as an artisan community of professional dyers.

Originally from New York, Bellos moved to Middle Tennessee because she liked the area and wanted to pursue sustainable agriculture.

Compared to her home state, the region offered more affordable land, a necessity to launching her new business.

Where did the concept for Stony Creek Colors come from?

I was working in a textile dye house selling dyed apparel and accessories, mostly to boutiques and lifestyle stores. Through that experience, we started noticing a lot of inquiries into dying fabrics for other emerging brands and realized the expertise in dying with plant-based color was increasingly sought-after.

I left that business and launched Stony Creek to start from the ground up an agricultural value chain that delivered a more consistent dye in the textile industry, while also replacing chemical color with plant-based color.

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Nashville, Tennessee

PHOTOS: STONY CREEK COLORS

In trying to service those other brands to diversify our own business, I recognized that the actual supply of the plants was being used in this modern, more industrial dye equipment, but the extracts themselves were not consistent or repeatable to be used industrially.

Why choose Robertson County as your manufacturing base?

We’d been looking across other regions, but we found that Middle Tennessee was within good proximity of agricultural land as well as a metro area. It’s a great overlap of rural areas and the more technical and scientific talent we needed to be able to innovate, conduct research and develop. We were really fortunate to access some state grant funding to revitalize the factory we’re located in, which is an old tobacco warehouse.

Who do you work with for your plant supply?

In 2016, we started growing with farmers here in Tennessee as well as Southern Kentucky farmers who have grown tobacco or have transitioned out of tobacco growing.

The process involved transplanting crops, so it was good to have farmers used to that and used to having a higher-value crop.

We really work to provide all the supporting infrastructure for them, from the seed or transplants to harvesting and processing technology and equipment.

Any announcements or expansions for 2023 and beyond?

We just recently secured an investor, Levi Strauss & Co., through our Series B2 funding round.

It’s a big testament to the new technology that we’ve developed for bringing the crop to scale, and we’re conducting a geographic expansion to broaden the agricultural production region.

– Erica Buehler

find more online Thinking about doing business in the Nashville Region? Check out livability.com/tn/nashville.

livability.com/tn/nashville

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Nonprofits

FUTURE-FORWARD The region’s workforce benefits from a strong corps of nonprofit organizations

N

onprofits are adding fuel to the Nashville Region’s economy by helping individuals develop the skills and confidence they need to achieve more in their careers and lives than they might have imagined was possible.

The region’s nonprofits

MISSION

are responsible for 2.3% of private-sector firms and create nearly 72,000 jobs, according to a report from the Center for Nonprofit Management and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

in communities across the region. Girls Write Nashville, for example, empowers expression through songwriting, production, mentorship and creative community building for teen artists.

Nonprofits work to develop skills and create opportunities

Wilson Works partners with educators, businesses and government agencies

in Wilson County to create pathways to industryrelevant training and to connect students and citizens to high-wage, high-demand jobs.

Café Momentum Nashville provides critical resources for justice-involved youth ages 15-19 in Davidson County, equipping them with marketable skills and connecting them with a community of employment partners that they may not otherwise have access to.

The Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE) assists refugees and immigrants as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

Opening Doors

Girls Write Nashille

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Nashville, Tennessee

“Mentorship is a powerful tool that can help young people overcome the challenges and barriers they face in pursuing their dreams. Through my work as a mentor, I have seen firsthand how transformative this

PHOTO: LAURA ROCKETT PHOTOGRAPHY

Girls Write Nashville programs are open to all students who self-select as wanting to participate in a program that focuses on the lived experience of female-identifying and nonbinary youth.

Nonprofits

Local Impact of Nonprofits GIRLS WRITE NASHVILLE:

109 4,500

students served in 2023-24 school year

Jen Starsinic says Girls Write Nashville is currently serving more than 100 students.

PHOTO: JEFF ADKINS

experience can be.

I believe that the music industry has a responsibility to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Mentorship is one way we can help ensure that everyone has a chance to succeed and contribute to the industry’s continued growth and evolution,” says Nina Teapot Owens, creative consultant and project manager for Girls Write Nashville.

The organization served nine students in its first year, the 2016-17 school year.

“This year, between our

programming hours delivered

CAFE MOMENTUM:

27 45+

culinary internship participants in 2022

mentorship program, after-school programs and workshops, we will serve 109 students with about 4,500 total programming hours delivered,” says Jen Starsinic, co-founder and executive artistic director of Girls Write Nashville.

Wilson Works is developing the workforce in Wilson County and connecting employers with a talent pipeline, including students who are making plans for the future.

“Workforce development is crucial in a robust economy where

engagement through

participants goal in 2023 competition for talent is NICE: paramount.

With a nearly people 70% labor market served in Middle Tennessee since it participation opened in 2005 rate and an unemployment rate under 3%, workforce pipeline, Wilson County is in a engaging employers and strong economic position,” workforce stakeholders says Wilson Works such as the K-12 schools, Director Adina Chumley. postsecondary training “It is imperative to foster providers, workforce collaboration and draw boards, nonprofit groups upon the collective and government,” she says. creativity of all

37,000

stakeholders as more industry enters the market. Wilson Works casts a wide net for the

Developing Skills Café Momentum is an award-winning restaurant livability.com/tn/nashville

39

TWO ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTE LGBTQ CAUSES A pair of nonprofit organizations are working to create opportunities for the Nashville Region’s LGBTQ residents. The Tennessee Pride Chamber and inclusion tennessee aim to enrich and enhance the lives of LGBTQ individuals, while backing education and advocacy initiatives for the LGBTQ business community.

The Tennessee Pride Chamber was formed in 1998, and inclusion tennessee was established more recently in 2021.

The Tennessee Pride Chamber offers several educational, networking and community-building opportunities throughout the year. The organization also champions important causes, including a push for having fully inclusive health care for the LGBTQ community and an effort to establish safe social environments (other than nightlife) throughout the Nashville Region.

“Our model works to not only support re-entry after detention but to swim upstream of the problem and prevent incarceration in the first place, particularly before they turn 18 and an adult charge can go on their record,” says Rokeisha Bryant, executive director of Café Momentum Nashville.

A Café Momentum internship provides crucial hours of positive influence in an ecosystem of loving support, Bryant says.

“Our program lets these young people know that there are other options, other possibilities available to them, and that their past does not have to dictate

their future,” she says.

NICE offers multiple programs for new Americans to thrive and become self-sufficient.

NICE welcomes refugees through the U.S. State Department’s Refugee Admissions Program. Since 2005, NICE has served more than 37,500 people in Middle Tennessee. The organization has also opened an office in Gallatin to serve refugees in Sumner County.

Nashville is a destination for immigrants worldwide.

Many open small businesses. Others become valued members of the workforce.

“We’re constantly being approached by businesses that want to employ our clients.

They are incredibly resilient people who have dreams of owning businesses and being integrated into the Nashville community,” says Max Rykov, director of development and communications for NICE.

Inclusion tennessee is also involved in many initiatives to assist the LGBTQ community, including supporting causes such as affordable housing, whole health care, respite care, mutual aid resources and career training.

Inclusion tennessee schedules several events during the year that focus on information and assistance to the 18- to 24-year-old population as well as programming for older adults ages 50+.

The organization is also pushing for an LGBTQ community center to be built in Nashville. Tentative plans for what the center could feature include a coworking space, theater, meeting rooms, cafe, library, retail spaces and medical offices.

By Kevin Litwin

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Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville International Center for Empowerment

– Bill Lewis

PHOTOS, FORM LEFT: ISTOCK.COM/CIRCLE CREATIVE STUDIO; NASHVILLE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR EMPOWERMENT

Focusing on Advocacy

and culinary training nonprofit. In 2022, 27 young people participated in its internship program, and in 2023, the organization anticipates engaging between 45 and 60 youth. The goal is to open a Café Momentum restaurant in 2024.

PHOTO(S):

livability.com/tn/nashville

41

Education

PAST, PRESENT

& FUTURE

HBCUs play vital role in powering the region’s workforce

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Nashville, Tennessee

The state-of-the-art SMART Global Technology Innovation Center houses several of the university’s tech initiatives, including a dual enrollment program for area high school students; virtual, augmented and mixed reality research and development; professional development programs and HBCU C². C-squared stands for coding and creativity, and the program works with companies such as Apple to break down the barriers that can keep underserved communities from entering tech-related fields.

“In two years, I want all HBCUs to be coding and creating,” says Robbie Melton, TSU associate vice president of the SMART Global Technology Innovation Center and dean of graduate and professional studies.

“In two years, you’re going to see many more people of color entering the STEM workforce – and in two years we’re going to double the number of Black women in technology through this program.”

The region’s four HBCUs are training up the next generation of highly skilled workers.

“It’s about going into the community, into the home, into businesses, so that when people code, it becomes part of their lives and helps them solve big problems. This initiative is going to help those who have been broken through COVID-19, broken through racism – and it’s going to empower them through knowledge and skills,”she says.

PHOTOS, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: JEFF ADKINS; ISTOCK.COM/ FPPHOTOBANK, GOODBOY PICTURE COMPANY

W

ith 16 higher education institutions in its backyard, the Nashville Region easily earns its nickname “The Athens of the South.” Among those institutions are four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – Fisk University, Tennessee State University (TSU), Meharry Medical College and American Baptist College – that have not only helped define the region’s past and present, but they are also playing a major role in getting students ready for the region’s bright future.

SMART STARTS For example, TSU is helping shape the future workforce with its SMART Global Innovative Technologies Division, a collection of programs that introduce students to and prepare them for STEM and STEAM-based career pathways. The university boasts an Academic eSports program, for instance, which offers both undergraduate and graduate level courses in coding, design, development and management of egames. TSU also hosts eSports teams, one of which won the EA Sports FIFA Challenge in 2020.

BUILDING BLACK BUSINESS LEADERS American Baptist College, an HBCU founded in 1924, is working to prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs in the Nashville Region. The college’s bachelor’s degree program in entrepreneurial leadership combines business and theology through courses, such as Dynamics of Biblical Leadership and Enhancing Leadership Through Technology, to equip students with the skills to become successful Christian business leaders and small-business owners.

Like American Baptist College, livability.com/tn/nashville

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KNOW the CODE Fisk University

NASHVILLE SOFTWARE SCHOOL HELPS STUDENTS TRAIN FOR TECH CAREERS

“Incubators are distinct ecosystems ... and this center marks the next stage in Nashville’s remarkable development.”

Before Abigail Inglis began her career as a business analyst for AllianceBernstein, a global asset management firm headquartered in Nashville, she worked in development for a nonprofit organization.

– Jens Frederiksen, Fisk University

Fisk University – the city’s oldest HBCU – is also investing in its students’ entrepreneurial futures.

In 2022, the university announced a $10 million project to develop the new Darrell S. Freeman Sr. Incubation and Innovation Center in the old Burrus Hall. The center will feature some 13,000 square feet for programming and services for students, faculty and community members looking to turn their ideas into viable businesses.

PHOTO: JEFF ADKINS

“For a long time, we’ve had a significant demand from students who were already launching and starting their own business while in school. But there hasn’t formally been a space where they could interact with other entrepreneurs and get firsthand experience,” says Jens Frederiksen, executive vice president at Fisk. “The same goes for faculty.

We felt like this building was a way to bridge that gap between students and faculty, the academy, and people who are working in this realm on a daily basis.”

While Fisk already offers students interested in starting their own business some courses in entrepreneurship, as well as entrepreneurial clubs and competitions, the new center

will transform that experience with sessions specifically geared toward being capital ready.

“Incubators are distinct ecosystems populated by curious and inquisitive entrepreneurs, free agents, programmers, designers, dreamers, angel investors, tinkerers and venture capitalists, and this center marks the next stage in Nashville’s remarkable development,” he says.

Frederiksen adds that while the center will be located on the Fisk campus, it will serve the surrounding community, which has historically been underserved by capital development.

“We see where the level at which minority funding around private equity and capital and investment in startups is disproportionately small,” he says. “There’s also a larger economic development advantage to homegrown businesses that then go on to do exceptionally well. Fisk is uniquely positioned with the caliber of students, and our role in the community is to galvanize other small businesses and entrepreneurs to see this as a space to elevate that startup experience for minority businesses.”

“My favorite part of that job was the more technical elements – database work, revenue reporting and contribution analysis. I loved the company and my team, but my growth opportunities there were limited and not in line with my passions, so I decided I needed to reevaluate and pivot somehow,” she says.

Enter the Nashville Software School (NSS), the nation’s first nonprofit coding bootcamp. Started in 2012, NSS was developed from conversations with leaders in the Nashville tech community who wanted to create opportunities for adults to transform their lives by training for high-income careers in technology.

“Beyond the obvious technical skills that I strengthened and those that I learned from the ground up in class, the NSS Career Development team helped immensely in my journey,” Inglis says.

“They connected students with potential employers, helped us sharpen up our resumes, gave us tips for writing cover letters, organized mock interviews with industry professionals and so much more.

[They] truly made me feel prepared to enter a competitive job market in an industry that was new to me.”

Since its launch, NSS has graduated more than 2,000 students. Inglis was even invited back as a teaching assistant.

“It can honestly be a life-changing experience for the people who go through the NSS programs,” she says.

– Teree Caruthers livability.com/tn/nashville

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In Great HEALTH

Health Care

Beginning with the launch of what is now HCA Healthcare, the largest for-profit hospital company in the U.S., the subsequent work of countless other pioneers, entrepreneurs, researchers and caregivers has made Nashville one of the country’s most dynamic health care hubs.

The region is home to more than 500 health-related companies, ranging from hospitals and

outpatient treatment centers to clinics, labs, research facilities, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical firms and health tech entrepreneurs, who are exploring software to create better surgical scheduling or find out how artificial intelligence can improve logistics and patient outcomes.

This once-nascent industry today is Nashville’s largest employer and leading economic driver, providing more than 327,000 jobs and a staggering $67 billion annually to the local economy.

“Nashville’s entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit sets it apart,” says Apryl Childs-Potter, president of the Nashville Health Care Council

(NHCC). “This is where industry pioneers come together, through high-level thinking and problemsolving, to bring the principles of business and economies of scale to our nation’s health care system.”

Secret Sauce This unique “secret sauce” – combining competition, innovation and collaboration – has uniquely fueled the Nashville health industry’s phenomenal, ongoing growth and development.

“While Nashville’s top executives may compete with one another in the broad market,” Childs-Potter says, “they respect, collaborate and mentor one another within our community, making this an exceptional place for businesses to thrive.”

As Nashville’s health care industry has become a local behemoth, it has also expanded well outside its local roots. The NHCC notes that an ecosystem of 500 health care companies doing business in Nashville generates some $95 billion in annual revenue and more than 500,000 jobs, making Nashville’s impact felt on an even larger scale.

Another 400 professional service firms in the region provide expertise – including legal, accounting, finance and design – to the health care industry.

“Nashville has grown right along our health care industry,” Childs-Potter says. “As health care continues to grow and diversify in Nashville, it

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Nashville, Tennessee

ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK.COM/ALEKSEI NAUMOV

In 1968, in a small house on the edge of Centennial Park in Nashville, a vision of a better health care model was born.

Nashville builds on its status as the nation’s health industry hub

Feature Topic Health care is a major producer of jobs in Nashville.

HEALTHY OUTLOOK Vanderbilt ranks among nation’s top medical research universities Vanderbilt University and its VU Medical Center has ranked among the top 12 U.S. universities for securing research funding from the National Institutes of Health.

draws attention and talent from all over the world. In health care, all roads lead to Nashville. It’s all right here.”

Global Impact The NHCC, which has been serving as facilitator, convenor and promoter of Nashville’s health care sector for 25 years, is expanding those borders even further, leading trade missions to countries around the world.

Among those finding the road to Nashville are a growing number of businesses that provide health care-related services.

HST Pathways helps ambulatory surgery centers with innovative cloud-based software for surgical scheduling, inventory management, clinical workflows, medical coding and insurance. The company decided to relocate its headquarters from California to Nashville in 2021.

PHOTO: ISTOCK.COM/FIZKES

Advanced Correctional Healthcare, the largest health care provider in the country to county jails, relocated to Franklin from Illinois in 2021.

And Jan Schlueter, co-founder of DARVIS (Data Analytic Real-World Visual Intelligence System) moved his business, his family, a dog and a horse to the area in 2021 after being a part of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center Project Healthcare cohort in 2020. While the company does

major projects for clients like the U.S. Postal Service and retail companies, its platform using AI to assist health care facilities’ efficiency and productivity is an important part of what brought it to Nashville.

“It was fate or destiny or something,” Schlueter jokes. “But as we got familiar with the growth of Nashville, the culture, we just fell in love.”

Bioscience, a rapidly growing segment of the health care industry nationally, is also having an impact locally. August Bioservices, for example, has been consistently growing its injectables manufacturing and research business over the past several years in Nashville.

A report by JLL recently ranked the Nashville Region among the top 10 markets in the country for its potential to nurture a biosciences segment, thanks to its quality of life.

“For an emerging life sciences market to reach full maturity, talent and momentum must combine and synthesize,” the report notes. “The best way to ensure that is to provide the foundation for an appealing long-term lifestyle for young professionals, so that they will put down roots and spend their prime career years nurturing the local life sciences ecosystem.”

– Laura Hill

The NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, presented Vanderbilt and VUMC with more than $503 million in fiscal 2022 to conduct research in a variety of biomedical areas.

“Vanderbilt’s biomedical researchers are among the top in the nation working on solving some of the world’s greatest challenges,” said Padma Raghavan, Vanderbilt University vice provost for research and innovation, in a news release.

Funding from NIH is distributed to Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing, School of Medicine Basic Sciences and 15 clinical sciences departments.

One of the university’s most recent efforts was leading the fight against the COVID19 pandemic, with research that included a nationwide study of convalescent plasma as a treatment for the disease.

Vanderbilt also led the development of human monoclonal antibodies as a potential treatment for COVID. Today, Vanderbilt conducts research in many areas, including cell and developmental biology, biochemistry, molecular physiology, biophysics, pharmacology, pediatrics, anesthesiology and urology. Vanderbilt University ranked No. 13 among national universities on U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Colleges list.

The publication cited Vanderbilt’s “renowned research opportunities, cutting-edge facilities and collaborations with leading institutions worldwide.”

– Kevin Litwin livability.com/tn/nashville

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Community Profile POPULATION

2,013,506 37.2

Median age

POPULATION BY AGE

Nashville-DavidsonMurfreesboro-Franklin MSA

Under 19.. .......................... 25% 20-44............................... 29% 45-64.. .............................. 26% 65 and older...................... 20%

ETHNICITY

White................................ 70% Black................................ 14% Hispanic.............................. 8% Asian.................................. 3% Two or more races. . .............. 5%

Sources: Census Reporter, Nashville Area Chamber, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sperling’s Best Places, Zillow (July 2023)

POPULATION BY COUNTY

REAL ESTATE

Cheatham County ������������������ 40,878 Davidson County ����������������� 703,953 Dickson County ���������������������54,000 Maury County ���������������������� 104,760 Montgomery County ������������� 227,900 Robertson County ������������������ 74,098 Rutherford County ��������������� 352,182 Sumner County �������������������� 200,557 Williamson County ��������������� 255,735 Wilson County ����������������������151,917

$429,027

POPULATION OF MAJOR CITIES

2.5

Nashville ����������������������������� 678,851 Clarksville ��������������������������� 170,957 Murfreesboro ����������������������� 157,519 Franklin �������������������������������� 85,469 Hendersonville ���������������������� 62,257 Brentwood ���������������������������� 45,491

TRANSPORTATION COMMUTE

26.2 Minutes Mean travel time to work

Drives alone ��������������������������������69% Carpools ���������������������������������������7% Public transit ��������������������������������� 1% Walks ������������������������������������������� 1% Other ������������������������������������������� 1% Works from home ������������������������ 21%

Typical value of owner-occupied units

793,373 Total housing units

Persons per household

HOMEOWNERS / RENTERS Owners ����� 67% Renters ����� 33% » Nashville is one of the fastest-

growing cities in the U.S., with 1,000+ people moving to the area every month.

» Nashville is highly ranked on

Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice list of Top 25 Destinations in the United States.

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