JECDB 2019 Year In Review

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