Joint Economic & Community Development Board 2019 Year In Review
A Glimpse Back . . . . A View Forward In some regards, economic growth is much like one’s life. At one moment we pause and take note of the many changes. In our personal journey we remember a birth, a graduation, a career change or maybe something as simple as a new ache or pain. In a community’s economic journey however, they are significantly different. So, while we summarize the economic highlights of 2019, I wanted to also take note of several occurrences over the last decade. Our logistic/ecommerce sector certainly continued its expansion growth. A significant change however not noticed was their requirements of additional professional, technical and management positions. We also saw continual growth in our manufacturing base through new locations and expansions of industries in our food products, tile, automotive and service support sectors.
Executive Directors Message
A strong community must sometimes demonstrate its ability to adapt to challenges and that was exhibited by the reuse of the former TOSHIBA facility into a multi-tenant job center, the repurposing the former Dell manufacturing facility and the completion of the initial development phase of the Speedway Industrial Park. Our growth continued throughout the last decade with significant increases in the hospitality, retail and commercial service sectors. Residential growth projected Wilson County to be identified as the fastest growing county in Tennessee while our sales and property taxes demonstrated an overall strong and vibrant economy. We also enter the next decade with a great economic foundation aided in 2019 by the addition of the R J Corman Railroad, Vanderbilt/Wilson County Hospital and Volunteer State Community College. The next decade will see efforts in our proven job sectors but will also see additional emphasis in becoming a corporate and professional office destination. We will also continue our efforts in the development of a successful, long-term workforce skills development program. What was accomplished throughout the last decade were the results of a coordinated economic partnership. The commitment and efforts of members of the JECD Board of Directors and Executive Committee distinguishes us among our peers. We as the JECDB staff take this opportunity to express our appreciation. As we continue our economic journey, I believe that you will find many significant events in 2019. In summary however, I believe it can be summarized as “Our location is key, Our Foundation and Structure is Strong, and Our Future is Bright”. G C Hixson, CEcD Executive Director
Mission
• The Joint Economic & Community Development Board (JECDB) is a governmental economic development agency. The communities of Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Watertown and Wilson County comprise the JECDB and participate in funding of the organization. The JECDB is focused on industrial, office, retail and small business recruiting for each of these communities. The recruiting efforts are part of a strategic plan to increase and diversify the overall tax base of Wilson County while providing a quality lifestyle for our citizens. • In addition, the JECDB serves the existing business base for all of Wilson County through business retention and expansion efforts. The organization serves as the sole economic development organization for Wilson County and its municipalities of Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Watertown.
Wilson County is the Place to Be! • Centrally located in middle Tennessee • Interstates 840 & 40 provide access to Interstates 24 & 65 • Within 25 miles of the Nashville International Airport • 30 miles to downtown Nashville
Census 2010
Population Statistics Area July 1, 2018
July 1, 2017
July 1, 2016
July 1, 2015
July 1, 2014
April 1, 2010
140,625
136,442
132,781
128,911
125,376
113,993
Lebanon
35,050
32,226
31,317
30,262
29,427
26,190
Mt. Juliet
35,725
34,726
33,263
31,540
29,387
24,548
Watertown
1,515
1,530
1,529
1,517
1,516
1,477
Wilson County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Wilson County is the Fastest Growing County in the State of Tennessee
• Tremendous economic and job growth over the last decade • Populating growth averaged almost 3% per year over last decade • Projected 2024 population is 161,130 residents
2019 Real Estate Numbers Commercial Permits
Single-Family Homes Month
Wilson County
Lebanon
Mt. Juliet
Month
Wilson County
Lebanon
Mt. Juliet
January
14
20
21
January
0
4
2
February
23
80
42
February
1
9
0
March
39
32
36
March
1
5
2
April
34
30
56
April
1
2
0
May
25
35
81
May
0
6
1
June
16
39
62
June
0
2
2
July
21
44
47
July
1
3
3
August
40
68
83
August
5
4
1
September
34
90
39
September
5
1
1
October
36
176
70
October
2
1
1
November
34
79
25
November
3
2
3
December
25
32
58
December
0
2
2
TOTALS
341
725
620
TOTALS
19
41
18
**Wilson County includes Watertown**
Wilson County home sales continued to rise with 3,212 residential homes being sold in 2019. This is an increase of 9.0 percent. Also, median home prices rose in 2019 by 9.5 percent to $333,774. On average, 267 homes closed each month of 2019. Homes were on the market a median of 29 days.
Industrial Investments in 2019 Employer
Location
Square Footage
Investment
No. of Employees
Rooms To Go
Interstate 840 & Couchville Pike in Wilson County
902,385
$69,000,000
200
O’Reillys Distribution Center
Duke Drive along Interstate 840 in Lebanon
408,240
$45,000,000
435
Genuine Parts Company
115 Logistics Drive at Couchville Pike and Interstate 840 interchange in Wilson County
302,400
$31,000,000
150
Dyke Industries, Inc.
255 Maddox Road in Wilson County
100,000
$9,200,000
40
GEODIS
Richard Petty Way in Wilson County
1,015,040
$60,000,000
700
CEVA Logistics
33 Athlete’s Way in Mt. Juliet
458,136
$27,500,000
350
Composites One
Maddox Road in Wilson County
40,000
$8,000,000
10
Maplehurst Bakeries
105 Duke Drive in Lebanon
45,000
$122,714,846
90
American Wonder Porcelain (Expansion)
5 Wonder Lane in Lebanon
300,000
$19,000,000
25
Royal Canin (formerly Nutro)
920 Artic Drive in Lebanon
Facility & Equipment
$205,656,000
79
Cumberland International
980 Leeville Road in Lebanon
22,215
$6,680,200
9
Dayton Freight Terminal
1141 South Hartmann Drive in Lebanon
81,700
$21,000,000
45
3,675,116
$624,751,046
2,133
TOTALS
Industrial Investments in 2019
GEODIS – Wilson County
Composites One – Wilson County
Dyke Industries – Wilson County
Rooms To Go – Wilson County
Royal Canin – Lebanon
Maplehurst Bakeries – Lebanon Dayton Freight – Lebanon
O’Reillys – Lebanon
CEVA Logistics – Mt. Juliet
Cumberland International – Lebanon
Genuine Parts Company (NAPA) – Wilson County
Local Option Sales Tax Revenue Collections
2018
2019
% CHANGE
Wilson County
$5,627,428
$7,437,913
32.17%
Lebanon
$25,407,575
$26,017,030
2.40%
$392,243
$414,264
5.61%
Mt. Juliet
$21,398,421
$22,304,522
4.23%
TOTALS
$52,825,667
$56,173,729
6.34%
Watertown
Significant News of 2019
•
One of the major quality of life advancements occurred in the health care industry in Wilson County in 2019 when Vanderbilt University Medical Center purchased Tennova Healthcare in Lebanon to form Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. This purchase is expected to greatly increase medical and quality care not only in Wilson County but throughout middle Tennessee.
•
The purchase of the Nashville & Eastern Railroad by the RJ Corman Railroad Company in 2019 is expected to provide enhanced rail services to customers throughout middle Tennessee. The RJ Corman operation is seen as a better financed rail provider with a wider customer base through the United States.
•
The JECDB undertook a series of meetings and work sessions with elected officials to confirm existing and future marketing initiatives. While significant professional job opportunities were generated in projects in 2019 it was indicated that additional emphasis should be placed in the recruitment and development of stand-alone professional/office developments. One significant outcome of these sessions was the expansion of the Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) program to include office/professional projects. This marketing initiative was presented to numerous project managers, key office contacts, developers and others in 2019. Future initiatives will include a revision of the website, electronic presentations, research and the development of marketing materials.
Tourism News
The Wilson County Fair continues to be recognized as one of the community’s unique economic drivers. The fair has been recognized as one of the south’s best major fairs. Attendance increased over the nine-day event in 2019 to over 578,000 attendees.
In 2019 The Wilson County Expo Center consisting of 78,000 sf had 135 events booked with 228 days rented. These events have increased traffic counts on Highway 70 and at Interstate 40 Exit 239.
Cedars of Lebanon State Park July 2018 June 2019 attendance was 1,335,613. The Park saw an expansion of 2,690 acres.
Recruitment Overview
Coordinated Cities and County Participation at ICSC RECON which is the largest retail real estate event in the world. Travel kits & USB drives were purchased as marketing giveaway items.
Created a custom gift box that included a Wilson County themed journal & a locally made treat that was sent out to site consultants.
The JECDB supported local advertising in the Lebanon & Mt. Juliet Chamber magazines & purchased advertising in several national outlets.
Advertised in community map projects
Coordinated the 2019 Wage & Benefits Survey
Education Overview 2018-2019 Wilson County Schools K-12 Elementary Schools
13
Middle Schools
3
High Schools
4
TOTAL ENROLLMENT
18,542
Lebanon Special School District K-8 Elementary Schools
4
Middle Schools
2
TOTAL ENROLLMENT
3,909
Private Schools K-12 Schools
5
TOTAL ENROLLMENT
1,380
Higher Education (Four Year) Cumberland University (Lebanon) TOTAL ENROLLMENT
2,550
Technology Center TN College of Applied Technology (Lebanon)
Graduation Rates Wilson County School District had a 95.6 percent graduation rate, well above the state average of 89.1 percent. Mt. Juliet High School had the district’s highest graduation rate at 98.0 percent while Watertown High was 97.3 percent. Wilson Central was 94.9 percent and Lebanon High 93.2 percent.
ACT Scores Wilson County School District had an average composite ACT score of 20.9 for the 2018-19. The state average ACT score was 20.
Wilson County School District was named an Exemplary System (one of 20) in Tennessee in 2019 and had twelve of their schools named as reward schools. Wilson County is the 9th largest School System in the State with the 7th largest CTE program.
Cumberland University’s growth continues to grow each year and now has over 2,500 students in 110 undergraduate and eight graduate programs. Volunteer State Community College purchased a ten-acre site in Mt. Juliet and began its facility approval and fundraising activities in 2019. The Mt. Juliet location will greatly enhance the educational opportunities in both academics and continuing education sectors.
New School Construction
The Wilson County School board with funding from the Wilson County Commission opened the new Gladeville Middle School and approved funding for the New Green Hill High School in Mt. Juliet. These new facilities will assist in addressing the community’s growth throughout the county.
The Lebanon Special School District announced its newest school in 2019. The Jones Brummett Elementary School will be located on Hartmann Drive. Groundbreaking was held in 2019 with its first academic year to be in 2021.
Board of Directors
Randall Hutto *
Sue Vanatta
Sonja Robinson
Bobby Franklin
Bernie Ash *
Chris Crowell
Camille Burdine
Kenneth Martin*
Ray Justice
Mike Jennings*
Brandon Howard
Scott Jasper
Board of Directors
Caleb Thorne Chairman of Board of Directors
Rob Porter Rob Porter
Lynn Daugherty
Tom Nelson
Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors
Mike Jennings Chairman of Executive Committee
Ex-Officio Members: Eddie Goodwin
Caleb Thorne
John Bryan
Robert Rochelle* Attorney
Luke Winchester
Phil Smartt* Treasurer
*Denotes Executive Committee Members
Melanie Minter Becky Dungy Mark Hinesley Dr. Donna Wright Scott Benson Phil Smartt Dr. Paul Stumb Aaron Maynard Tom Brashear Mae Wright Senator Mark Pody Representative Susan Lynn Representative Clark Boyd
w w w. d o i n g b i z . o r g
Joint Economic and Community Development Board 200 Aviation Way, Suite 202 Lebanon, TN 37090 Office: 615-443-1210 G.C. Hixson, CEcD Executive Director
Tammy Stokes Assistant Director
Teresa Duff Administrative Assistant
Cell: 615-519-2497 gchixson@doingbiz.org
Cell: 615-519-4397 tlstokes@doingbiz.org
jecdboffice@doingbiz.org