Retail Snapshot
Tourism Snapshot
The County’s efforts to lure new retail developments have been fruitful during the aftermath of the economic downturn. Just a few of the new retail developments in 2011 include: Lebanon – Chickfil-A, Dairy Queen LTD, Christopher & Banks, El Molino, Chen Asian House, Lebanon Furniture, Sole Unique Shoes; Mt. Juliet – Zaxby’s, Jonathan’s Grille, Price’s Auto Collision, Accurate Auto Body, Corner Pub, Tokyo Japanese Steak House, Wasabi Japanese Hibachi Steak House, Los Compadres, Firestone Complete Auto Care, El OK Corral Mexican Restaurant, Kay Jewelers, Mt. Fuji Steak & Sushi; Watertown – Blue Tomato Market & Café, Mom’s Place and Nona Lisa Pizzeria.
With tourism rising in nearby Nashville, Wilson County has enjoyed a strong year for tourism. The Wilson County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau works to enhance the county’s image as a unique travel destination—and it shows. In 2010, travelrelated expenditures in Wilson County topped $107 million, an increase of 8.5 percent from 2009, when expenditures were roughly $99 million. Hotel occupancy rates have also increased in the last year. Tourism supported 940 jobs in Wilson alone and contributed to $3.3 million in sales tax collected.
Wilson County also had several larger developments announced in 2011 that included: Cumberland Center – Consists of 165 acres and will be a mixed use development with a proposed $40 million Community Events Center. Phase 1 Section 1 of Cumberland Center is already approved for a new hotel, restaurant, office and retail elements located on Interstate 40 at Highway 231 between exits 238 and 239. Site preparation has already begun on Phase 1 Section 1 of Cumberland Center. The first two tenants in Phase 1 will be Logan’s Roadhouse and RCC Western Store. Hamilton Springs – Mixed-use development planned for west Lebanon fronting Highway 70, will offer a unique “transit-oriented” community, featuring walkable access to work, home and shopping. Office buildings, retail shops and apartments will be developed around a new Music City Star commuter train station. The proposed development that encompasses 220 acres will be built adjacent to the commuter rail line and is the first in Middle Tennessee that will be planned, designed and constructed to emphasize use of transportation modes other than cars. Mt. Juliet Town Center – Ground was broken on the Town Center Medical Plaza project located on the former Mt. Juliet Elementary School site which will create a true center for the City of Mt. Juliet. The official groundbreaking launches a 41,000 sq. ft. medical facility, with the top floor dedicated to Children’s Clinic East. This will double the Children’s Clinic East services in Mt. Juliet. Seth McDowell bought the 12 acres of land and plans are to create an urban mixed use development to include the medical component along with business and retail. The project as a whole is called the Mt. Juliet Town Center. Town Center Medical Plaza is projected to be complete and operational by early summer 2012.
Wilson County Fair ranked among top 50 in North America – 2011 attendance was 545,945 Cedars of Lebanon State Park – 2010/2011 attendance was 904,091