Williamson County, TN: 2013

williamson 2013 | livability.com/williamson-county

county tennessee

COMMUNITY CONNECtionS Williamson localities give residents many attractive options

HAPPY 75th Natchez Trace celebrates anniversary

One Williamson,

One Chamber

Unification joins county’s three largest chambers of commerce

sponsored by the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce Find local business listings at www.williamsoncountychamber.org

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co nte nt s

williamson county 2013 edition | volume 26

F e at u r e s 10 One Williamson, One chamber Unification joins county’s three largest chambers of commerce

14 Community Connections

tennessee

Bustling to bucolic, Williamson localities offer residents many attractive choices

18 The Grass Is Greener Group looks to make Franklin parks even better

26 Common Goals

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Williamson County community rallies around soccer

30 Happy 75th Natchez Trace celebrates anniversary of becoming national park

34 Head of the class County’s education system a force for recruiting

38 Keeping Things Civil Franklin’s Charge active in protecting endangered battlefield

42 Magnetic Force County’s economic success attracts more developers and companies

46 room to spare New hotels support tourism industry

d e pa r tm e nt s 6 Almanac 51 Chamber Report 54 Biz Briefs 57 Economic Profile 58 See the County 60 Local Flavor 62 Health & Wellness 64 Arts & Culture 66 Sports & Recreation 68 Education 70 Community Profile on the cover The Natchez Trace Parkway Photo by Jeffrey S. Otto

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All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

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content Director Lisa battles Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Contributing writers Renee Elder, Laura Hill, Melanie Kilgore-Hill, Joe Morris, Jessica Mozo, Chris Russell Senior Graphic Designers STacey Allis, Laura Gallagher, Kris Sexton, Jake Shores, Vikki Williams Graphic Designers Erica Lampley, Kara Leiby, Kacey Passmore Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Martin B. Cherry, Michael Conti color imaging technician Alison Hunter Executive Integrated Media Manager Mary Ann Stafford Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing Kim HOlmberg V.P./business Development clay perry V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens v.p./Travel publishing Susan Chappell V.P./Sales rhonda graham, herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman sales support Coordinator Christina Morgan sales support project manager sara quint IT Director daniel cantrell Web creative director allison davis Web Content Manager John Hood Web designer II Richard stevens Web development lead Yamel Hall Web developer i nels noseworthy Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Creative Services Director Christina Carden Creative Technology Analyst becca ary audience development Director deanna nelson New Media Assistant Alyssa DiCicco Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop

Photos & Videos See more great photos of Williamson County in our online photo and video galleries.

williamson 2013 | lIvAbIlItY.COM/WIllIAMsOn-COUntY

county tennessee

COMMUnItY COnneCtIOns Williamson localities give residents many attractive options

Williamson County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

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.

For more information, contact: Williamson County Chamber of Commerce 1164 Columbia Ave • Franklin, TN 37064 Phone: (615) 794-1225 • Fax: (615) 790-5337 www.williamsoncountychamber.org Visit Williamson County online at livability.com/williamson-county ©Copyright 2013 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, 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.

Member

The Association of Magazine Media Member

Custom Content Council Member Williamson County Chamber of Commerce

HAPPY 75tH Natchez Trace celebrates anniversary

Facts

One Williamson,

One Chamber

Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more.

Living here

Learn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health-care providers.

Unification joins county’s three largest chambers of commerce

sPOnsOred bY tHe WIllIAMsOn COUntY CHAMber Of COMMerCe Find local business listings at www.williamsoncountychamber.org

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Almanac

Welcome to Williamson County An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Big Business in Little Franklin Business is booming in downtown Franklin, where 150 establishments are located in a 15-block area. Established in 1937, Franklin Theatre recently received more than $8 million in renovations and installed a sound and lighting system that accommodates live music. Hungry? Head to Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, which also provides live music, or try Merridee’s Breadbasket, which offers baked goods, as well as an espresso bar, quiches and more.

Dedicated to helping women find the perfect clothes and accessories, boutiqueMMM offers merchandise from designers such as Bella-Vita and Sacha London. Other popular shops include It’s Vintage Baby, which features clothing and accessories for children from such designers as Biscotti and Dolce Mia, and Harmony Home, which offers home furnishings and accessories.

Savoring the Sweets Williamson County caters to those with a sweet tooth as it is home to several shops offering confectionery creations.

Sweet CeCe’s Yogurt & Treats, Pinkberry and Tasti D-Lite provide frozen yogurt in a variety of fun flavors, as well as toppings such as candy, fruit and nuts.

Popcorn Village offers gourmet popcorn in more than 100 flavors, including chocolate, while Gigi’s Cupcakes offers freshly baked treats and a menu that changes daily.

Historic Heart of the City The Brentwood Town Center has a legacy as a major site of commercial activity. This legacy continues as the Town Center hosts seasonal street fairs, and numerous businesses like Local Taco, Stacey Rhodes, NeighborMD, FirstWatch and REI are nearby. Local Taco combines Tex-Mex cuisine with traditional Southern cuisine, while Stacey Rhodes is a fullservice boutique that carries top designer lines and accessories.

NeighborMD is a walk-in clinic, and FirstWatch is a breakfastexclusive restaurant open from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. REI carries gear for a variety of sports. Additionally, a development called Tapestry is coming to the Town Center, which will feature 392 one- and two-bedroom condominium apartments.

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Happy Hour Havens JJ’s Wine Bar offers 28 wines and several beers, while w xyz bar, located at the Aloft hotel, features live music and unique drinks.

Providing a complete menu of foods, Drake’s offers more than 20 craft beers, and numerous wines and cocktails. Saffire Restaurant and Bar features a menu created from combinations of exotic ingredients and locally grown produce, which are complemented by a full bar.

Located at Embassy Suites, the Athletic Club Bar & Grill offers 14 television screens, as well as tabletop speakers and a menu of appetizers, sandwiches and pastas. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar provides wings, burgers and a full bar.

Jonathan’s Grille provides gourmet-quality steaks and seafood as well as 28 beers and a full-service bar. Styled after classic English pubs, The Bunganut Pig Pub & Eatery offers an openair billiards room, a sports bar and live music.

Stirrup Cup Lounge at the Marriott hotel provides light lunch items like sandwiches, and a complement of drinks from the bar.

Jumping for Joy Equestrian sports enthusiasts gather at Franklin’s Brownland Farm in late May each year for the Tennessee Grand Prix, which is a benefit hosted jointly by the farm and the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce. Women donning Derby hats and bright sundresses and men in breezy summer suits mix and mingle for lunch, afternoon cocktails and watching nationally known jumping class sport horses and riders compete against the course obstacles and the clock.

The Tennessee Grand Prix at Brownland Farm is sponsored by the Tennessee Equine Hospital and the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Proceeds benefit the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce and the American Association of Equine Practitioners Horse Foundation.

Charged for Success The market for vehicles driven by alternative methods promises to open up thanks to ever-increasing gas prices. Franklin-headquartered Nissan North America has developed and marketed its electric vehicle, the Leaf, to tap into this market as the Leaf does not run on gasoline at all. Instead, an 80 kilowatthour electric motor propels the five-door automobile, which is powered by a 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery, to speeds of 90 miles per hour. The vehicle’s powerful battery and efficient design enables the Leaf to travel 100 miles per charge based on the U.S. EPA LA4 City cycle standard. For more information, visit www.nissanusa.com.

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Come and Enjoy …

Nashville Golf & Athletic Club One of Middle Tennessee’s finest golf courses Our friendly Nashville Golf family of members

www.ngac.net NatioNal accreditatioN Hole #6 Selected as one of the “18 Greatest Golf Holes in America” – Sports Illustrated Ranked 15th as “Greatest Tournament Courses in the Country” – Golf Digest Middle Tennessee’s Most Challenging Course – Business Journal Weekly

New for 2012: revised Junior Membership (to age 33) Special Junior Guest rate • New “No initiation” Family Membership New Senior Membership classifications 1703 Crockett Springs Trail • Brentwood, TN 37027 • 615.370.3346

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also host to: Two International Championships Three National Championships Eight State Championships

A Shopper’s Paradise CoolSprings Galleria Mall lures one-stop shoppers with more than 150 stores that cover more than 1,100,000 square feet including five major department stores.

The galleria also provides plenty of room to rest and recharge in its 500-seat Oasis Food Court.

The mall’s other conveniences include a play area for children, ATMs, and escalators and an elevator to reach the second floor.

Visit www.coolspringsgalleria.com for more information.

Williamson County At A Glance POPULATION (2011 Estimate) Franklin: 64,317 Brentwood: 38,144 Williamson County: 199,801 LOCATION Williamson County is just south of Nashville, in the scenic, rolling hills of Middle Tennessee.

BEGINNINGS In 1799, the Tennessee General Assembly created Williamson County and Franklin, naming the city for famous American patriot Benjamin Franklin and the county for his good friend, Continental Congress member Dr. Hugh Williamson.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Williamson County Chamber of Commerce Location: 1164 Columbia Ave. Mailing: P.O. Box 156 Franklin, TN 37065-0156 Phone: (615) 794-1225 (800) 356-3445 Fax: (615) 790-5337 lauren@williamsoncountychamber.org www.williamsoncountychamber.org

Williamson county

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Take a virtual tour of Williamson County, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at livability.com/williamson-county/tn.

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Fast Facts n Williamson County is home to 13 of the largest 25 publicly traded companies that are located in the Nashville area. n More than 6,000 businesses are situated in Williamson County. n The county’s high school graduation rate is the highest of any county in Tennessee. n The Factory at Franklin is one of the area’s most popular destinations for shopping, dining and entertainment. n The Downtown Franklin Association features an awardwinning Main Street Program thanks to its revitalization efforts.

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One Williamson,

One Chamber Unification joins county’s three largest chambers of commerce

Story By Kevin Litwin

B

Martin B. Cherry

rad Dunn says the process of consolidating three separate chambers into one new Williamson County Chamber of Commerce was like building an airplane while flying it.

“It took some doing, but it happened,” says Dunn, chairman of the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce. “Now we can all ride the positive momentum of one centralized chamber throughout 2013 and beyond.”

For decades, the northern part of Williamson County has had three individual chambers of commerce – the Franklin-Williamson County Chamber, BrentwoodCool Springs Chamber and a separate Cool Springs Chamber. Dunn says a conversation began several years ago about the possibility of the three separate chambers becoming one.

“The community has grown and changed so much in recent years that unification seemed to be a logical possibility, so a series of meetings took place in 2009, followed by a task force being commissioned in 2010 to study whether unification would be possible,” he says.

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Williamson County Chamber of Commerce Interim General Manager Jerry Sharber and Chairman Brad Dunn

Clockwise from top left: October 2012 Williamson County Chamber Membership Luncheon; 2012 Professional Women’s Holiday Luncheon; A Chamber-sponsored Town Hall meeting with Rep. Marsha Blackburn in December 2012

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Area businesswomen register at the chamber-sponsored Professional Women’s Holiday Luncheon in 2012.

“The task force determined that a unified chamber would best serve Williamson County, so the process started.”

Williamson County Young Professionals joined for a fun Tacky Sweater Party in December 2012.

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A 94 Percent Vote Dunn says the reality of three individual chambers began to become difficult for many chamber members who had joined all three, given the numerous events and expenses associated with the effort to support all of the organizations.

“We wanted one chamber that could serve the community regionally, so a 16-member committee was formed in October 2011 to shape a unified chamber,” Dunn says. “Eventually, it was put to a vote to all of the membership in August 2012, and the membership voted 94 percent in favor of unification. So on Oct. 1, 2012, a unified Williamson County Chamber of Commerce opened for business.”

To make the process as seamless as possible, the transitional board hired former Franklin Mayor Jerry Sharber as interim general manager while the consolidation process took place.

“We hosted our first membership luncheon in October 2012, and 400 people were in attendance – all of whom were excited about the new organization,” Sharber says. “Then immediately after the luncheon, we got back to work addressing more behind-the-scenes details including finding a new centralized office in Cool Springs on the east side of the I-65 corridor. We

Welcome, Mr. President Largen leads unified chamber

M

project that everything in the office will be in place

by March 2013 to best serve our 1,500 members.”

New President, New Website Another key detail had to be addressed – finding a president/CEO for the unified chamber.

“Matt Largen, who has served as director of the Williamson County Office of Economic Development since 2008, was selected,” Sharber says. “Matt assumed his chamber post Feb. 1, 2013, and there are seven fulltime employees.”

Sharber also oversaw three databases of memberships being consolidated, plus the launch of a new www.williamsoncountychamber.org website.

“This was a consolidation of these three separate chambers, but I need to mention that there are still individual chambers within Williamson County in the communities of Fairview, Nolensville and Spring Hill,” he says. “The current consolidation was simply with three chambers that were geographically very close to each other, and a unification was needed.

Now, it has happened.”

What’s Online For more stories on the people, places and events that define Williamson County, visit livability.com/williamson-county.

Photo Courtesy of Streetlight Republic

Hundreds of business leaders turned out for the October 2012 Williamson County Chamber Membership Luncheon.

att Largen has become the first president and CEO of the unified Williamson County Chamber of Commerce.

After a nationwide search in late 2012, Largen was selected president following his five-year stint as director of the Williamson County Office of Economic Development. Now his role as chamber president/CEO will also include overseeing economic development.

“It made sense for the chamber and economic development to join forces under one roof, so that’s what is happening,” Largen says. “The two combined offices can do a lot more for Williamson County than they could do on their own.”

During Largen’s tenure with the Office of Economic Development, more than 8,000 jobs were created in the county thanks to companies that relocated here as well as those that targeted expansion. They include Jackson National Life Insurance, Mars Petcare, Tractor Supply Company and Verizon Wireless.

“One of my goals is to have the chamber engaged, for example, in helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses in Williamson County,” he says. “And I’m a big proponent of networking and marketing between chamber members. It leads to – what I like to call – spontaneous capitalism.”

– Kevin Litwin

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Community

Connections Bustling to bucolic, Williamson localities offer residents attractive choices Story By Laura Hill PHotography By Jeff adkins & Jeffrey s. Otto

C

harming small towns.

Booming suburban cities.

Quiet rural enclaves.

Williamson County’s communities reflect lifestyles and tastes as diverse as the county’s residents.

Young families are flocking to many of these areas, drawn by community amenities, good schools and well-priced homes. Older couples are downsizing into condominiums and apartments in other parts of the county. And young singles are finding the restaurants, chic shops and recreational opportunities they want in the very communities they grew up in.

Communities Meet Diverse Needs “People move to different communities for different reasons,” says Allison King of the Williamson County Association of Realtors.

“Some people want to stay close to Nashville for work and are pulled to Brentwood, more so than to Spring Hill. But then people in Spring Hill are enthusiastic about affordable new homes there, compared to other parts of the county. And of course, everyone is intrigued by the good schools.”

Fairview, in western Williamson, once was so isolated that a phone call from Franklin was long distance, historian Rick Warwick recalls.

Today, it’s growing steadily, thanks

to the beautiful rural landscape, affordable homes and convenient Interstate 40 access. Tiny Leiper’s Fork has become a phenomenon with its shops and historic homes drawing country music stars and corporate executives alike.

Historic Communities in Eastern Williamson On the other side of the county, College Grove, Triune and Arrington retain the evocative rural charm of the 19th and early 20th centuries, offering lovely homes, quaint shops and a proud cultural history, Warwick says.

Further north, Nolensville once was the dairy farming center of the county. Now, King says, it is popular for “very attractive larger homes at all price points, and special amenities families enjoy, like outdoor kitchens.” The vibrant town’s growth is aided by its proximity to Nashville.

I-65 Corridor Much of Williamson’s growth has been along the I-65 corridor, from Brentwood south to Cool Springs, Franklin, Thompson’s Station and Spring Hill.

Brentwood, which came into being with the railroad line from Nashville to Franklin in 1855-56, is known for its luxury residential developments, large lots and homes,

Clockwise from top: Historic downtown Franklin offers a variety of restaurants, shops and more. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in Nolensville; Genworth Financial in Brentwood’s Maryland Farms area; A home in Spring Hill, one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S.

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easy commute to Nashville, and the Maryland Farms office development.

Cool Springs, a regional shopping mecca, has become nearly a city all its own, with single family homes, condos and apartment residences springing up around corporate headquarters and office campuses.

Growing fast and looking ahead to even more development are Thompson’s Station and Spring Hill, bolstered by the General Motors plant and easy access to Interstate 65. These historic, oncerural towns are popular for their attractive homes, new schools and community amenities.

Franklin reflects much of all that Williamson has to offer, from rural beauty to stately historic homes to suburban housing developments. Its residents are diverse, but they share a sense of pride in their community, King says. The county seat is immersed in history, yet very 21st-century – wherein lies much of its appeal.

“Franklin has capitalized on its historic legacy, while at the same time developing,” Warwick says.

“People may be living in a suburban setting like Cool Springs, but they think of themselves as living in historic Franklin.”

Clockwise from far left: CoolSprings Galleria in Franklin; Arrington Vineyards; One of Franklin’s many downtown community gatherings; The Governors Club in Brentwood; Shopping in Downtown Leiper’s Fork; A historic home near downtown Franklin

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The Grass Is

Greener Friends of Franklin Parks work to rejuvenate city’s leisure-time spots

Story By Laura Hill Photography By Jeffrey S. OTTO

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riends of Franklin Parks, a new organization, is bringing creative energy, volunteer spirit and improvements to the city’s 16 parks. Founded in spring 2011, the growing nonprofit, an offshoot of the Franklin Tomorrow civic advocacy group, hopes to involve local parks-lovers in building an unparalleled park system.

“Our organization was formed to bring business, government and private citizens together to make our parks better,” says the organization’s leader, Dr. Monty Left: Pinkerton Park in Franklin Right: Park at Harlinsdale Farm

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McInturff of Tennessee Equine Hospital. “We know government funding can only be at a certain level for parks, and this allows us to get involved and contribute.”

Friends Share Parks Dept. Goals For the city’s parks department, the help couldn’t have come at a better time, as a flagging economy slowed planned improvements and additions, says Anna Shuford, parks and recreation superintendent.

“A foundation can be an umbrella for volunteers and fundraising groups whose goals parallel the parks department’s goals,” Shuford

says. “A really awesome thing is that grantors look more favorably on them than they do government agencies. It’s a great collaboration to have Friends drive the process of helping us develop, especially when times are tough.”

Equine History Matters The city maintains three types of parks – active, passive and historic – and Friends of Franklin Parks will support all three.

Throughout 2012, the group’s primary focus was on improving the Park at Harlinsdale Farm, the former historic horse farm at one of Franklin’s northern gateways.

The city acquired the 200-acre farm and its 16 buildings for $8 million in 2004. Located across Franklin Road from The Factory, it offers gorgeous rural vistas of rolling pastures, quaint buildings and distant hills in addition to some of the area’s rich equine history.

“As a kid I worked at Harlinsdale, and as a vet I understand what a huge impact horses have had on this community. Harlinsdale Park Clockwise from top left: Playground at Pinkerton Park; K-9 Korral Dog Park; Growing Kids Educational Garden at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm; Franklin Recreation Complex

Above: Children tour the Growing Kids Educational Garden at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin.

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Above: A resident plays tennis at the Franklin Recreation Complex on one of the facility’s outdoor courts.

Below: Park at Harlinsdale Farm

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is a remembrance of that,” McInturff says. “The reality is that there are more horses in Williamson County than in any county in Tennessee.

We hope to bring back the horses.

One of the visions of the Harlinsdale master plan is for it to be an active horse park one day with riding arenas, trails and an equine museum.”

Central Park for Franklin Initial plans call for re-roofing the farm’s barn and farmhouse, for which Friends of Franklin Parks planned a Raise the Roof fundraiser in June 2012. Deciding how the buildings will be utilized is next on the agenda. Shuford envisions a multipurpose community gathering place, which already offers concerts, holiday events, historic reenactments, family fun days, walking and running trails, a dog park, catch-and-release fishing, a children’s garden and more.

“In 50 years, could Harlinsdale function like Central Park does in New York?” Shuford wonders. “It’s doable. We have to crawl before we can run, and Friends will help us take those steps to build a fabulous park system.”

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Live Well, Play Well COUNTY parks offer fun for all illiamson County is widely known for its parks and recreational facilities – 31 in all – that encompass everything from athletic fields to indoor swimming to community centers to green spaces. After all, that’s what people expect in this growing community.

“The whole thing is for everybody to use these facilities,” says Doug Hood, Williamson County Parks and Recreation director. “Would you really want to live somewhere without great parks and recreation? That would be like living in a place without great schools.”

The county’s facilities are continually being improved and expanded. Most recently the “mother ship” recreational facility in Franklin underwent a $900,000 renovation and expansion that gave it a new and expanded exercise room and equipment, a game room, and offices.

Also in the works: Bending Chestnut Park, a 300-acre passive park featuring walking trails; development of the old Battle Ground Academy campus on Columbia Avenue into a community theater and senior citizens center; Timberland Park on 80 acres off the Natchez Trace Parkway; the Osburn Park soccer complex; and a recreation center in Nolensville that will feature a wellness center, basketball courts and more.

– Laura Hill

Staff Photo

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Above: A couple walks along a trail at Crockett Park, which comprises more than 164 acres of multipurpose fields, baseball diamonds and more.

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Common Goals Williamson County community rallies around soccer

Youth soccer at Crockett Park in Brentwood Staff Photo

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Story By Chris Russell

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he soccer scene in Williamson County has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, thanks to top-notch facilities, active participation by several clubs and the strong sense of community among those involved.

Brian M c Cord

Tennessee Soccer Club The Tennessee Soccer Club formed in June 2012, unifying two established groups: the Tennessee Futbol Club and the Brentwood Soccer Club.

“With roughly 1,600 players, 70 coaches and more than 1,400 families now bonded together, we have a tremendous opportunity to leverage our club and allow kids to play competitive soccer, get fantastic coaching and possibly take their soccer dreams as far as their effort and dedication take them,” says Scott Hill, board member of the Tennessee Soccer Club.

Some other goals of the newly merged organization, Hill says, include better serving players’ needs, leveraging resources, creating teams with tighter development range and getting more players into the premier soccer leagues.

The unification had been discussed many times over the years. And momentum and enthusiasm for the sport in Williamson County always has been palpable.

“Before the merger, both clubs were experiencing significant growth. For the past several years, we both set records for the number of kids attending tryouts,” Hill says.

The sense of community continues to grow throughout the county.

“Not only does our team work together and hang out, and we have that sense of community, but as we play, there are people on the other team asking how our kids are doing,” says Brandon Brison, who participates in the Williamson Indoor Soccer League for adults.

“The players know the refs, and people bring their kids to watch the games. It’s awesome, a lot of fun.”

Matthew Ensor, who has a daughter in the U6 division of the Williamson County Parks and Recreation League, says it’s “fun to get to know different families in the area and see the kids learn all about teamwork.”

Above: Williamson County soccer enthusiasts can play year round at two indoor soccer facilities, the Indoor Arena at Crockett Park in Brentwood and the Robert A. Ring Indoor Arena in Franklin.

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Top 10

Libraries for Children

public library of cincinnati & hamilton county Cincinnati, OH central branch of birmingham Birmingham, AL vancouver community library Vancouver, WA el paso public library El Paso, TX brentwood library Brentwood, TN IOwa city public library Iowa City, IA lied scottsbluff public library Scottsbluff, NE

Brentwood made the list.

Top 10 Libraries for Children See more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.

laramie county library Cheyenne, WY imaginon: the joe & joan martin center Charlotte, NC Hardesty Regional Library & Conner’s Cove Tulsa, OK Introducing the Livability.com Top 10 Lists New lists every month | Not your average lists | Not your average website

Photo Courtesy of Beverley Aurora / WCSA

Left to right: The Williamson County Soccer Association provides youth soccer to the community, offering both indoor and outdoor soccer programs. Kids play soccer at the Indoor Arena at Crockett Park, which includes a multipurpose field, conference room, concessions and other amenities. photo by brian mccord

Fantastic Facilities The soccer facilities in Williamson County reflect the area’s dedication to the sport. Two indoor playing fields (Robert A. Ring Indoor Arena and the Indoor Arena at Crockett Park) give participants the opportunity to enjoy the sport year round, both as players and as spectators. The Ring Arena has modern indoor turf and glass walls on the spectator side to allow for a great view of the field.

Crockett Park’s Indoor Arena

Fairview Soccer Association The Fairview Soccer Association, founded in 2000, is staffed by parent volunteers and has a recreational program open to kids ages 3 through 18. It offers a variety of tournaments, as well as opportunities to learn about the sport.

FSA’s success “depends on strong relationships through our elementary, middle and high schools, as well,” says Tom Daugherty, director of FSA’s Heat Academy, a developmental program for kids from third grade through high school.

“Everything we do is for the youth of our community,” Daugherty says.

Brian M c Cord

Williamson County Soccer Association Meanwhile, the Williamson County Soccer Association has more than 6,000 registered players each year, and everyone gets involved. The WCSA stipulates that all players must play at least 50 percent of the game, thus assuring no one spends a whole game riding the bench.

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Happy th

75

Natchez Trace celebrates anniversary of becoming national park Story By Kevin Litwin

A

staff photo

typical Sunday drive in Williamson County can mean instantly connecting to a vital part of American history. The Natchez Trace Parkway, with its north end near Fairview at Highway 100, has been traveled by pioneer settlers, Native Americans and even U.S. presidents. Today, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the Parkway for camping, biking and hiking, while motorists travel its 444 miles from here to the southern terminus in Natchez, Mississippi.

In 2012-13, the Parkway is celebrating its 75th anniversary of being a national park, kicked off by an event at Brandon Hall Plantation near Natchez, where dignitaries first gathered in October 1937 to plant trees on the future thoroughfare. Event highlights include a re-creation of the tree-planting ceremony and the Natchez Little Theatre staging a play about the group that started the NTP Association, which pushed

The Natchez Trace Parkway features a 1,600-foot double-arched bridge.

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War of 1812 Observance Also in 2012, NTP officials encouraged people to remember the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the Trace’s role in it.

The original Natchez Trace Military Road was created by Thomas Jefferson in order to move large numbers of troops to defend the Gulf Coast, and troops led by Tennessee native Gen. Andrew Jackson marched on the Trace several times. More troops died along the Trace than died in the entire War of 1812, because of hazardous conditions that existed in those days. All deceased troops are buried in unmarked graves along the Parkway.

Turnbow says a key reason the Parkway was established in the 1930s was to memorialize those troops.

“It was where Jackson earned the nickname Old Hickory, and his military decisions along the Natchez Trace earned him recognition he used to win the White House,” he says. “Leiper’s Fork is where many of his troops first camped, making it one of the sites that played a key role during the War of 1812.”

Nearby Sites to Visit For Parkway attractions today near Williamson County, Turnbow suggests a visit to the John Gordon House, the first major site south of

Jeffrey S. OTTO

President Franklin Roosevelt to have the Parkway built.

It wasn’t until 1938 that Natchez Trace was given its own special designation as a unit of the National Parks Service, which is why the Parkway is being honored in both 2012 and 2013, says Tony Turnbow, Natchez Trace Parkway Association president.

A photo history book that is entitled Building the Natchez Trace Parkway has also been published to commemorate the 75th anniversary.

Specific Parkway celebration events are posted on the NTP website at www.natcheztrace.info.

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the county. Gordon was captain of Andrew Jackson’s company of spies and therefore played a prominent role in the War of 1812.

The Gordon House is at milepost 407.7, about 20 miles west of Columbia. Just south of there is Grinder’s Stand, where famed explorer Meriwether Lewis is buried and a small cabin exists.

It is also where the boundary was set between U.S. settlers and the Chickasaw Nation.

Bottom left: Harpeth Bicycle Club members cycle along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Bottom right: Waterfall flows near Natchez Trace

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The Factory at Franklin

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Head of the

CLASS County’s education system a force for recruiting

Story By John McBryde

S

tudents from select Williamson County schools are helping to pave a path for a new foreign language curriculum in the district.

A well-respected university in Nashville has recently opened a campus in the Cool Springs area that offers an environment considered “far from business as usual.”

The county’s oldest private school will be celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2014.

These are just a sampling of facts that demonstrate the role education plays in making Williamson County one of the country’s most vibrant areas to live and work. From kindergarten through college and into continuing adult learning, the county’s education infrastructure is high on the list of what attracts residents and businesses alike.

“I think it’s the most important thing we do,” says Matt Largen, president of the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce and

formerly the county’s economic development director. “Our No. 1 priority is to make sure we promote the education system of Williamson County, and that we partner anywhere we can to make a stronger connection between the business community and the education community.”

Rigorous Standards The highlight of the education system here is perhaps Williamson County Schools, Tennessee’s highestachieving and growing school district, according to the 2012 State Report Card released in November.

WCS recorded an A in achievement for every subject area.

“Obviously, we have great teachers and administrators that have an intense focus on helping students master the standards,” says Dr. Mike Looney, WCS superintendent. “We have a supportive community, especially parents. And we have a very

intentional focus on specific, rigorous learning standards.”

Initiatives Aplenty Special initiatives, such as the Bring Your Own Technology program, highlight the WCS district’s strengths. BYOT began during the 2012-13 school year, allowing students to use smartphones, tablets, e-readers and the like in classes.

In the same calendar year, the school system began a pilot program that focuses on students’ learning Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

The idea is to implement a full foreign language program for all grades within the next couple of years.

With a growing population in the county, WCS plans to build a new high school in Nolensville and a new elementary school in Spring Hill by 2015 or 2016.

Excellent Options Seven elementary and middle schools of the Franklin Special

Clockwise from top: Battle Ground Academy; O’More College of Design; Ravenwood High School

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School District also serve local residents, and a wide range of respected private schools dot the county.

The oldest private school here, Battle Ground Academy, dates to 1889 and has the largest enrollment of the county’s private schools, followed closely by Brentwood Academy.

Students at the college and continuing education levels have many options, as well. Lipscomb University opened a campus in Cool Springs in early 2012 known as Spark: Lipscomb’s Idea Center. It serves as both a learning center and a meeting facility – “an innovative idea center that’s far from business as usual,” according to its website.

Belmont University also has a campus in Cool Springs, and the Franklin site for Columbia State Community College has grown so much that a new campus is being built. Also in Williamson County are O’More College of Design, University of Phoenix and Williamson Christian College.

Clockwise from top: Currey Ingram Academy; Brentwood Academy; Battle Ground Academy; Ravenwood High School

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Keeping Things

CIVIL Franklin’s Charge active in protecting endangered battlefield

Reenactment of the Battle of Franklin Staff photo

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Staff Photo

Story By Chris Russell

F

ranklin’s historic attractions have long been a lure to Williamson County, and the area is poised to provide even more to see and do for people interested in Civil War history, thanks to a local nonprofit organization.

Franklin’s Charge, a group started in 2005 to preserve the threatened battlefields in Williamson County, is raising funds and acquiring properties to preserve the remnants of the Battle of Franklin, one of the bloodiest days in American war history.

For many years, the Civil War Trust listed the Franklin battlefield as one of the 10 most endangered battlefields in America, considered such because so much of the battlefield had been developed, says Julian Bibb III, founder and past chair of Franklin’s Charge.

One of the most impressive feats of the organization was leading a public-private effort to acquire and 40

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preserve the battle’s Eastern Flank, a 112-acre site adjoining Carnton Plantation and about 40 acres owned by the state of Tennessee.

The $5 million-plus purchase, which Bibb calls “a remarkable success,” was completed by Franklin’s Charge and the city of Franklin in 2005. The plan for it is to develop a public battlefield park.

The nonprofit currently is raising funds to buy the Cotton Gin property along Columbia Avenue and develop a site that would include a replica of the Carter’s Cotton Gin, a primary focus of the battle.

Bibb says that acquiring this piece of property is vital because “it marks the high watermark of the Battle of Franklin. Historians label the property along Columbia Avenue as extremely important to the ability of the community to tell the story of the battle.”

And a battle it was.

To say that the day of Nov. 30,

1864 was a disaster for the Confederate Army is an understatement. Gen. John Bell Hood led several frontal assaults against fortified Union Army positions led by Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield.

The town of Franklin saw approximately 1,750 Confederate soldiers killed and 3,800 others wounded. The Union Army casualties were comparatively light with less than 200 killed and just over 1,000 wounded. More American soldiers were killed in five hours than there were during the D-Day invasion of Normandy in World War II. Today, sites commemorating the battle have a big economic impact on Williamson County. As a result of taxes generated by tourist activity in Williamson County (of which the Battle of Franklin is a big part), each household pays approximately $358 less in local and state taxes annually.

Jeffrey S. OTTO

What’s Online

Jeffrey S. OTTO

For more stories on people, places and events in Williamson County, visit livability.com/williamson-county.

Clockwise from right: A Battle of Franklin reenactment takes place in Williamson County; The Carter House, which is a Registered Historic Landmark, is located in downtown Franklin; A historian at the Carter House leads a group tour of the home and grounds.

Carter House and Carnton Plantation The Carter House and Carnton Plantation are testimony to how civilian lives were disrupted by war.

The two locations combine to bring in about 80,000 visitors each year.

The Carter House is a Registered Historic Landmark that first served as the headquarters of Union Gen. Jacob D. Cox. The property was used as a defensive position during the battle while its owners, widower Fountain Branch Carter and his family, hid in the basement.

The state bought the home in 1951 and opened it for tours in 1953.

Former Nashville Mayor Randal McGavock built Carnton Plantation, which was the area’s largest field hospital during the war. In 1866, the family donated two acres of the land to serve as the burial site for nearly 1,500 Confederate soldiers who died there. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Business

Magnetic

FORCE County’s economic success attractive to developers, companies

Story By John McBryde

T

Nissan North America headquarters in Franklin

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Williamson Count y

here is one simple reason why developers and companies are so attracted to doing business in Williamson County.

“Success breeds success,” says Matt Largen, president of the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce and formerly the county’s economic development director. “We’ve been successful for years. This is seen as a low-risk area for development because of the success other developers and companies have had in the area.”

In addition to luring top companies such as Nissan North America, Williamson County has also attracted high-profile developments. The Berry Farms development on the south side of Franklin is an example of recent

The Meridian Cool Springs development brought several new shopping and dining choices to area professionals and residents.

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major projects that exemplify Largen’s “success” formula.

Located near the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park at the Peytonsville Road interchange of Interstate 65, Berry Farms is a mixed-use development on a 600-acre lot near what is considered the southern gateway to Franklin. Phase 1 of the development, which will include office, residential and retail use, is under way.

“As growth continues down 65 South, Berry Farms becomes even more important from a strategic standpoint,” Largen says.

“This is land that can be developed 10, 15, 20 years out.”

High-Tech Jobs Growth is also apparent in the county’s technology sector.

High-profile examples include M*Modal, a health-care technology provider of advanced clinical documentation solutions; Windstream Communications, which provides broadband Internet, phone service, and digital TV for residential customers as well as data-related service for business; and Radsource, a provider of specialized MRI interpretations that has launched a softwaredevelopment side of its business that provides PACS (picture archiving and communication system) to health-care systems.

ProtonPACS, as the new component is known, “is definitely where we’re focusing our resources,” says Jaclyn Carney, senior director of business development for Radsource.

“We have more than tripled our revenues in the last year.”

Largen says the area’s largest technology employers won’t necessarily be of the high-tech variety.

“I think the technology sector is not concentrated in just one or two companies,” he says. “It’s spread throughout corporate operations in Middle Tennessee. They may not be a big-tech name, but certainly technology employment is going to become even more important than it is now.”

Top 10

Downtowns

Eugene OR Chattanooga TN Fort Worth TX Louisville KY Franklin TN San Antonio TX Savannah GA

Burlington VT Winston-Salem NC

Franklin made the list.

Top 10 Downtowns

See more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.

Indianapolis IN

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Business

ROOM SPARE TO

New hotels support Williamson County growth as tourist destination Story By joe morris | Photography By Jeffrey S. OTTO

W

ith its scenic countryside, historic sites, and thriving restaurant and retail scene, Williamson County has long been a magnet for visitors. Now, with an expanding roster of hotel and other overnightstay properties, the county aims to keep more guests a little longer.

Open since 2012, the new Drury Plaza Hotel in Franklin has joined

the Marriott, Embassy Suites and Aloft properties as high-end accommodations in the county.

Meanwhile, bed-and-breakfast properties such as Butterf ly Meadows add to the mix of options for guests looking to stop and stay a while.

More visitors means more opportunity to share community pride, but even better, they bring more tax revenue to the area,

which in turn can be used to maintain and increase amenities for its residents.

Growing Tourism Destination Williamson County is now No. 6 in the state for tourism spending, a jump of two spots in the last four years. At the same time, tourism traffic to the county’s visitor center has grown 132 percent, and is

Above: Aloft Nashville-Cool Springs, located in Franklin, is one of the many upscale hotel offerings in the area.

Right, clockwise from top: Aloft Nashville-Cool Springs; Butterfly Meadows Inn & Farm, situated in Franklin, offers seven guest rooms and suites, and is surrounded by 40 acres of woods and meadows; Aloft Nashville-Cool Springs

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Business

seeing an almost 10-to-1 return on its investment in a greatly expanded Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“We are adding about 10 percent to our hotel inventory this year, which will give us around 3,500 beds,” says Mark Shore, executive director of the Williamson CVB. “Now we’re working to make sure that both our new and existing hotels have all the support they need so that everyone stays on an even keel while all this expansion is going on.”

The Drury, like other properties, markets the county as much as the hotel itself in its advertising materials, so the CVB is benefiting from additional outreach for

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events, Civil War historic destinations and more. Shore says he expects to build on that trend as the county becomes an overnight and weekend destination for large groups and other tourist sectors that may have visited before, but only for the day. To that end, the CVB will be working to effectively use a portion of the lodging tax that is set aside for tourism marketing and promotion.

Independent CVB Helps Grow Business “We had a task force in 2006 and 2007 that made three recommendations, one of which was to reorganize the CVB as an independent organization so that

it could move in the marketplace very quickly,” Shore says. “That has allowed us to make decisions and respond to our tourism-related properties’ concerns much quicker.

It also led to strong strategic and marketing plans, which have really helped us stay focused not only on what we would do, but what we wouldn’t do, to grow our tourism industry.”

The CVB’s goal going forward will be to continue to grow overnight-stay properties, but also boost destination retail, restaurant and historic sites so that Williamson County becomes an all-inclusive destination for both family and group travelers.

“We have really grown our role

in helping the various tourismrelated businesses here, and those that want to come, identify what will be a good fit for the area,” Shore says. “We can help them work through what is a great idea, as well as what might not be exactly right for Williamson County. Our businesses really want to hear our thoughts, so we look forward to continuing to deepen those relationships.”

NO ONE KNOWS THE COUNTRY LIKE WE DO Bottom left: Aloft Nashville-Cool Springs is home to the “w xyz bar,” which features specialty cocktails.

Bottom right: Butterfly Meadows Inn & Farm

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Business

Chamber Report Nolensville attracts residential and commercial development

T

other successful eateries in town such as Amico’s New York Pizza, Mama’s Java, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, Oscar’s Taco Shop and Uncle Bud’s Catfish Shack.

“Nana’s is a meat-and-three restaurant that serves good comfort food,” he says. “I like the chicken parmesan.”

Wheel in Motion Fann wants to also remind people about the Broken Wheel Festival, Nolensville’s annual celebration in September that brings the community together and introduces residents to local businesses.

“Anyone can exhibit a booth at the festival, and approximately 1,000 people annually attend Broken Wheel,” he says. “There are many activities, and proceeds go to our three schools: Nolensville Elementary, Sunset Elementary and Sunset Middle.

This town is very much family-oriented, with a quality school system and many sports activities for children.”

– Kevin Litwin

Jeffrey S. OTTO

he economy is turning around a bit, and Nolensville is no exception.

“We have two commercial developments under way, and seven subdivisions are experiencing construction,” says Chuck Fann, chairman of the Nolensville Chamber of Commerce. “Things here never really slowed down too much during the recent rough economy, especially with regard to residential development. More people are recognizing that Nolensville is a comfortable place to live.”

Fann says because of the steadily growing population, Nolensville is becoming a very attractive place to do business.

“There are now more than 5,800 residents in Nolensville, and with home sales continuing, we finally have enough people in our town to support businesses that open,” he says.

One new business that Fann has frequented since it debuted in 2012 is Nana’s Diner, which is located on Nolensville Road. The restaurant joins a variety of

Chuck Fann, the Nolensville Chamber of Commerce chairman, poses in front of the Nolensville Town Hall.

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Business

Chamber Report Fairview chamber pushes green initiative

B

everly Totty, who serves as Fairview’s mayor and chamber of commerce president, says she would like to see “Fairview Growing Green” possibly become the city’s new branding slogan.

“We are promoting walkability and a healthier community through a number of initiatives, including the establishment of a greenway system that stretches from Fairview City Hall to Bowie Nature Park,” Totty says. “The city received a grant to establish a greenway system that includes installing a handicap-accessible trail around the lake at Bowie Nature Park. That trail will allow everyone to see the beauty of our crown jewel park.”

Welcome to Fairview The city is also in the midst of a beautification campaign that includes installing new “Welcome to Fairview” signs, and adding sidewalks from schools to identified neighborhoods. Totty says the greenway system and beautification campaign are part of several upgrades planned for Fairview.

“If you have driven through the city in recent

times, there has been a lot of road construction taking place, which is always a forerunner to a growing community,” she says. “We have a widening project for Highway 100 completed in the summer of 2012, consisting of three lanes as well as sidewalks on both sides of the street.

Again, the sidewalks are to promote walkability and good health.”

Future Downtown Center Other plans are in the works thanks to the opening of State Route 840, which Totty says validates Fairview as the western suburb of Nashville.

“I expect more businesses to become interested in locating here due to easy access to that highway,” she says. “We have also established a Fairview Economic Task Force that inaugurated a five-year strategic plan, with one of those plans being to construct a downtown center. The chamber and city are active these days in planning business and economic development for Fairview.”

– Kevin Litwin

Jeffrey S. OTTO

Beverly Totty, Fairview mayor and chamber of commerce president

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Business

Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define Williamson County’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$3 billion Annual Retail Sales

$19,834 Retail Sales Per Capita

$383 million Annual Hotel and Food Sales

25,339 Total Number of Firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Bentley of Nashville Biz: Luxury vehicle dealership Buzz: Located in the Cool Springs area, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Bentley of Nashville offers a variety of new and used luxury vehicles.

The dealership, which is open Monday through Saturday, also has a parts department and a service center. www.maseratinashville.com

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Inside Out Play Park Biz: Family-based play center Buzz: Inside Out Play Park offers an indoor play area where children as old as 10 can enjoy a treehouse, monkey bars, climbing walls, slides, a bike track and more. Additionally, Inside Out Play Park provides child care and day camps, as well as a coffee bar and a cafe with nutritious selections. insideoutplaypark.com

Barry Alexander Automotive Biz: Vehicle dealership Buzz: Barry Alexander Automotive offers pre-owned cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans and motorcycles, and carries popular makes such as Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Nissan and more. Eco-friendly vehicles, such as electric-powered scooters, ATVs and UTVs, are also available. Located in Franklin, the dealership in open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. barryalexanderautomotive.com

Arrington Vineyards Biz: Vineyard and winery Buzz: Arrington Vineyards, founded in 2005 by Kix Brooks, Fred Mindermann and Kip Summers, offers awardwinning wines created from grapes grown on site. Guests can enjoy wine tastings and a gift shop, and can picnic on the property. Arrington Vineyards also hosts special events and the facility’s Cellar Patio can be rented. www.arringtonvineyards.com

Tollgate Village Biz: Residential community Buzz: This Dock Street Community development captures a small-town feel with single family homes, resort style amenities, parks and planned retail shops, restaurants, and offices.

Tollgate Village is located on Highway 31, near State Route 840.

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advertisers Aloft Hotel Cool Springs www.aloftnashvillecoolsprings.com American Constructors www.americanconstructors.us Ascend Federal Credit Union – www.ascendfcu.org Avatar Software – www.avatar-soft.com BancorpSouth – www.bancorpsouthonline.com BBE Solutions – www.bbesolutions.com Bell Historic Franklin www.bellhistoricfranklin.com Bob Parks Realty – Susan Gregory www.homesaroundnashvilletn.com CharacterEyes – www.charactereyespc.com Columbia State Community College www.columbiastate.edu Crye Leike – Brenda Wilhoite www.brendawilhoite.com Crye-Leike Relocation Services www.crye-leike.com Currey Ingram Academy – www.curreyingram.org Dock Street Realty of Tennessee LLC www.tollgatevillagetn.com First Light Home Care www.firstlighthomecare.com First State Bank – www.first-state.net Franklin Special School District – www.fssd.org Franklin Synergy Bank www.franklinsynergybank.com Goodall Homes – www.goodallhomes.com Harpeth True Value – www.harpethtruevalue.com Hyatt Place Nashville – Franklin-Cool Springs www.franklin.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels

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Business

Economic profile business climate Williamson County is home to a highly-skilled workforce that comprises nearly 6,000 businesses. The county’s proximity to major cities such as Nashville makes it an attractive location.

Fairview area Chamber of Commerce 7100 City Center Way Fairview, TN 37062 (615) 799-9290

Major employers CoolSprings Galleria: 3,500 Williamson County Schools: 3,435 Community Health Systems: 2,153

Williamson County Office of economic development 305 Public Square, Ste. 214 Franklin, TN 37064 (615) 261-2880

income

Williamson Medical Center: 1,397

$121,883 Average Household Income

Rogers Anderson Franklin, TN 37064 (615) 790-5700 www.williamsoncounty-tn.gov City of Brentwood 5211 Maryland Way Brentwood, TN 37207 www.brentwood-tn.org City of Fairview 7100 City Center Way Fairview, TN 37062

Verizon Wireless: 1,300

$41,977

Nissan Americas: 1,200

Per Capita Income

www.fairview-tn.org

Transportation

City of Franklin

Comdata Corporation: 869

airports:

Franklin, TN 37064

Ford Motor Credit: 800

Nashville International Airport 1 Terminal Drive Nashville, TN 37214 (615) 275-1600

(615) 791-3217

United Health Group: 1,200 Healthways: 900

Mars Petcare: 742 Lee Company: 625 Tractor Supply Company: 552

Economic resources

(615) 799-CITY

109 3rd Avenue South

www.franklin-gov.com Town of Nolensville 7218 Nolensville Road

Shultz Airport 4622 Villa Green Drive Nashville, TN 37215 (615) 665-0663

Williamson County Chamber of Commerce

bus service:

1164 Columbia Avenue Franklin, TN 37064 (615) 794-1225 williamsoncountychamber.org

The TMA Group 708 Columbia Avenue Franklin, TN 37064 (615) 790-4005

Nolensville Chamber of Commerce

Franklin Transit Authority (615) 628-0260

P.O. Box 531 Nolensville, TN 37135 (615) 794-1225

Williamson County Mayor 1320 West Main, Suite 125

Williamson County Government/Services: 1,842

HCA: 1,368

government offices

P.O. Box 547 Nolensville, TN 37135 (615) 776-3633 www.nolensvilletn.gov City of Spring Hill 199 Town Center Parkway Spring Hill, TN 37174 www.springhilltn.org Town of Thompson’s Station 1550 Thompson’s Station Road West

Major roadways:

Thompson’s Station, TN 37179

I-65, I-40, State Route 840

www.thompsons-station.com

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See the County

Downtown Franklin’s square at dusk Photo by Michael Conti

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Food court at the CoolSprings Galleria in Franklin Photo by Michael Conti

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Jeffrey S. OTTO

Local Flavor

Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant in Leiper’s Fork offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and live music.

Sweet Smell of Success Diverse eateries pepper the cuisine scene

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illiamson County offers a slice of the good life, where residents have many great restaurant choices. Here is a quick background of the local dining scene that sizzles:

Brentwood Dining Brentwood’s restaurant scene includes several unique establishments such as Mère Bulles, which is a local favorite for fine dining and special events.

The restaurant’s menu features entrees such as steak, lamb and seafood, as well as wine and cocktails. Another top spot is Wild Ginger, a fusion restaurant that serves a combination of Pan-Asian, South American and Western cuisine including sushi, duck and sea bass.

For a more casual experience, visit the Wild Iris. The eatery has entrees such as pork chops, shrimp and scallops, and also includes a popular outdoor patio.

Craving coffee and crepes?

Head to The Perch, where diners can also enjoy omelets, Belgian

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waffles and specialty salads, as well as tapas, wine and champagne after 2 p.m. The Puffy Muffin has great breakfast options, too, including pastries and pancakes, plus a lunch menu with soups, salads and sandwiches.

Serving Tex-Mex food, Local Taco offers lunch and dinner. The restaurant features an expansive drink menu with margaritas, cocktails, wine and beer. To enjoy barbecue, stop by Judge Bean’s, which also has ribs, smoked sausage, tacos and wraps.

Franklin Restaurants Iconic eateries that continue to grace the Williamson County food scene include Merridee’s Breadbasket and The Bunganut Pig. There is also Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, which got its start in Leiper’s Fork and has since opened a similar eatery on Fourth Avenue South in downtown Franklin.

Puckett’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with menu items such as barbecue and ribs that the kitchen staff hickory-smokes.

Puckett’s recently rolled out its newest offering, Trolley Parton, which is the first food trolley to debut in the area. It offers madeto-order items such as smoked pork, chicken, burgers, sweet potato fries and cobblers, and also provides signature Puckett’s menu selections including catfish tacos and the brisket chimichanga.

Trolley Parton can be reserved for private events and festivals.

Another landmark is Dotson’s, a Franklin mainstay restaurant for more than 60 years. It specializes in old-fashioned meat-and-three meals, where customers typically order meat and three side items such as corn, fried green tomatoes and white beans.

Other great places for sit-down meals in the Franklin area include Saffire Restaurant, Mellow Mushroom, Franklin Chop House, Joe Natural’s Farm Store & Cafe, and Sal’s Family Pizza.

Cool Springs Eateries Cool Springs has dozens of great restaurants, and two popular hotspots are Noshville and Boscos.

Noshville is a New York-style delicatessen, and Boscos offers a variety of appetizers, salads, entrees and gourmet pizzas, plus seasoned beers and microbrews with names like Bosco’s Brown Ale and Tennessee Cream Ale. Relatively new to Cool Springs are Drake’s and Newk’s. Drake’s features a neighborhood bar-andgrill setting where the motto is “Come Play,” while Newk’s has casual in-cafe dining with menu choices such as pizza, tossed salads and toasted sandwiches.

– Kevin Litwin

For the freshest of food choices, visit the Franklin Farmers Market at The Factory. It is open year round on Saturdays, and there are two market days each week during the summer.

More than 70 farms from Middle Tennessee are part of the market.

Jeffrey S. OTTO

Franklin Farmers Market

Downtown Franklin features several family-friendly restaurants.

Health & Wellness

Partners in Health Williamson Medical Center and Vanderbilt University Medical Center team up to provide world-class patient care

H

ealth-care options for Williamson County residents are greater than ever thanks to an affiliation between Williamson Medical Center and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Williamson Medical Center Williamson Medical Center is a 185-bed hospital fully accredited by the Joint Commission. The hospital provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care including emergency services, with physicians in 53 specialties and subspecialties. Each year, WMC’s 1,400 employees see more than 10,000 inpatient admissions and 36,000 emergency visits, and perform nearly 7,000 surgeries.

Vanderbilt Williamson Meanwhile, Vanderbilt University Medical Center operates more than 20 specialty

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outpatient clinics at 17 locations within Williamson County. Patients receive care in services ranging from dermatology to cardiology.

“Both Williamson Medical Center and Vanderbilt have made large financial investments in Williamson County during the last decade to improve access, quality and excellence,” says Don Webb, CEO of Williamson Medical Center. “Aligning with one another is the natural next step in continuing to provide high-quality, patient-focused care in Williamson County.”

A Healthy partnership The agreement ensures both hospitals will remain independent, and that patients will receive more efficient, cost-effective care.

“While this agreement is focused on the joint creation of programs with our colleagues at Williamson Medical Center, we are

appreciative of the opportunity to continue to strengthen our relationships with the physicians providing outstanding health care within Williamson County,” says Dr. C. Wright Pinson, deputy vice chancellor for health affairs and CEO of Vanderbilt Health System.

Vanderbilt’s Future Vanderbilt is constructing a Cool Springs campus near WMC’s Carothers Parkway campus.

The $5.1 million, 22-acre site will consolidate specialty outpatient clinics and outpatient surgical services. The initial $60 million office building could open as early as 2014 and will eventually double in size. In 2012, VUMC also announced plans for a laboratory to be located within the Cool Springs Life Sciences Center that will house growth necessary to the Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery.

– Melanie Kilgore-Hill

Aging Care Williamson County has many choices for those seeking quality senior care and assisted living options. They include:

Belvedere Commons of Franklin Brighton Gardens of Brentwood BrightStone Inc. Claiborne & Hughes Health

Center Inc. Elmcroft of Brentwood Grace Healthcare of Franklin The Maristone of Franklin NHC – Franklin NHC Place Cool Springs

Trio of Top Providers In addition to Williamson Medical Center and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, residents here also benefit from Saint Thomas Health Services, TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center and TriStar Centennial Medical Center.

Saint Thomas Health Services of Nashville serves Williamson County with Saint Thomas Heart, a cardiac center in Franklin, as well as additional specialty services including neurology.

TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center in south Davidson County provides emergency, vascular surgery and oncology services and serves three counties: Davidson, Williamson and Rutherford.

TriStar Centennial Medical Center, located west of downtown Nashville, has 615 licensed beds and more than 1,200 physicians.

Proud to make Williamson County our home with 11 locations A-Game Sportsplex – 771-3769

Franklin – 591-8480

Brentwood – 376-3556

Franklin East – 550-3890

Brentwood East – 283-8109 Cool Springs – 778-9894

Williamson County Medical Center 4321 Carothers Parkway Franklin, TN 37067 www.williamsonmedicalcenter.org (615) 435-5000

Grassland – 261-0245

D1 Sports Training – 778-8800

Nolensville – 776-8298

Fairview – 799-1915

Westhaven – 595-7180

SErviCES iNCluDE: Physical/Occupational Therapy • Manual Therapy Sports Medicine • Women’s Health • Cancer Care Industrial Rehabilitation • Balance Therapy and more …

Committed to Excellence … Close to Your Home www.STArpt.com l i va b i l i t y. c o m / w i l l i a m s o n - c o unt y

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Arts & Culture

Admire Local Artistry Williamson County hosts ever-changing art adventures

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illiamson County seamlessly mixes historic architecture and small-town charm with live music, visual arts galleries and other businesses that showcase local art, making picking a starting point the toughest part for a newcomer who wants to explore the local arts scene.

Jeffrey S. OTTO

Franklin First Friday Art Crawl The Franklin First Friday Art Crawl happens the first Friday of every month and is simply a tour that’s “a good time focusing on the arts of Franklin,” says Michael Damico, owner and operator of Damico Frame & Art Gallery and one of the key organizers of the event. The event started in September 2011 and draws a crowd of anywhere between 700 and 1,400 people each time.

There are 20 locations around downtown Franklin that participate in the unique blend of fun, art and community spirit. Galleries and numerous artists put their works and products on display for the event.

Some of the most popular stops include the Franklin Glassblowing Studio, the original paintings, sculptures and hand-made jewelry of Gallery 202, and the antiques and collectibles of the Arbor Antique Mall.

Rare Prints Gallery focuses on the selling of fine antique prints – dated anywhere from the 1500s to the 1900s and including such authors as John J. Audubon, William Curtis and Giovanni Piranesi.

Guests can take advantage of $5 unlimited trolley rides to take them along the tour. Since most of the locations are an easy jaunt from each other, people may opt for a pleasant walk to enjoy the live music

Festivals & Events

Williamson County residents enjoy a calendar full of fun events. Among the largest are: March Main Street Brew Fest, Franklin Taste of Williamson and Restaurant Week, Cool Springs Galleria Mall April Main Street Festival, Franklin May MayFest Music Festival at Bowie Park, Fairview Tennessee Equine Grand Prix, Brownland Farm, Franklin Tennessee Renaissance Festival, Arrington

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July Franklin on the Fourth, Franklin

Healthy Living and Lifestyles Health Expo, Brentwood

August Williamson County Chamber Golf Classic, Vanderbilt Legends Club, Franklin

Pumpkinfest, Franklin

Williamson County Fair, Franklin

Town Center Saturdays, Brentwood

September Broken Wheel Festival, Nolensville Franklin Jazz Festival, Franklin

November Wine Down Main Street, Franklin

October Country Ham Festival, Spring Hill

December Dickens of a Christmas, Franklin

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Brentwood

Brentwood Academy has several galleries to showcase artwork created by both students and locals. Meanwhile, the FiftyForward Martin Center offers arts programs and classes and hosts events such as Zoe’s Gallery of Friends, an art exhibition and sale with works from more than 40 local artists.

– Chris Russell

and refreshments from local bars and eateries as they get a taste of the culture.

The Williamson County arts scene would not be complete without the Artists Row at the Factory, a community of artists in their studios who manage their own spaces and have their work on display for others to enjoy at The Factory At Franklin.

“They put it all out there for people to see with their production studios and their retail spaces all in one area. It really is a unique experience,” Damico says. “There is always something new and exciting to see each month.

Brentwood Galleries and Exhibits

Left: Damico Frame & Art Gallery; Right: Student artwork decorates the walls at Brentwood Academy.

jeff adkins

Pinnacle Financial Partners has collected more than 500 original works since opening in downtown Nashville in 2001. The Brentwood office partners with local galleries for nine annual exhibits that are rotated among its different locations, and it uses local artwork for holiday cards and other correspondence sent to clients.

The Brentwood Library exhibits paintings, sculptures and other works from regional artists, with 11 exhibits annually. Each month, a different artist is featured on the library’s gallery wall.

Sports & Recreation

Six Reasons To Get Moving Great recreation sites and facilities await active types here Williamson County is known for gorgeous scenic drives, multiactivity parks, and lots of leagues and facilities for competitive sports. Here are some hotspots:

Bowie Park and Nature Center

People and their pups enjoy Maggie’s Bark Park, situated behind Franklin High School and managed by Williamson County Animal Control. The dog facility is split into two parts – Maggie’s Bark Park for larger dogs, and Rascal’s Run Around for puppies and dogs that weigh less than 30 pounds. The one-acre site has water fountains as well as kiddie pools for dogs to enjoy during warm weather.

Pinkerton Park With the Harpeth River along its west side and historic Fort Granger to the north, Pinkerton Park is one of Franklin’s most

highly used parks. There are plenty of picnic pavilions, tables, and grills, along with a children’s playground. A one-mile paved pedestrian track encompasses the entire park and is well-lit for evening use.

Jim Warren Park A 58-acre park with 12 baseball fields and four football fields, Jim Warren Park frequently hosts games of the Franklin Baseball Club and Franklin Cowboys youth organizations. The park also has tennis courts, two basketball courts, a pond and walking trails.

In addition, the park features a plaza-style skate park, which was created with input from both

staff photo

Located in Fairview, Bowie Park and Nature Center offers more than 700 acres of forest, lakes and trails where visitors can bike, horseback ride, fish, run and walk. Children may enjoy the Treehouse Playground, a multilevel wooden structure that consists of mazes, tunnels, ramps, bridges and ladders. The playground area also includes picnic tables and a walking trail.

Maggie’s Bark Park

Above: The paved trails at Brentwood’s Crockett Park lure skaters, walkers, runners and bikers from Williamson County and surrounding areas.

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Brentwood Recreation spots Brentwood has plenty of public parks including Concord, Granny White, Maryland Way, Owl Creek, Primm, River and Tower parks.

Crockett Park is the largest, covering 164 acres. The Little Harpeth River runs through Williamson and Davidson counties, and a section spanning from Granny White Pike to Highway 100 has the best opportunities for kayaking, rafting and paddling. Bikers enjoy the Brenthaven Bikeway Connector Trail, which connects Crockett Park and River Park and runs along the Little Harpeth River.

Other biking destinations include Harpeth Woods Trail, Cane

Connector Trail and Mill Creek Greenway Trail. Another area known for its natural beauty is Brentwood’s Deerwood Arboretum and Nature Center, which has 27 acres of native trees, migratory birds, a walking and bikeway trail, a wildflower meadow and more.

YMCA and Other Recreation Facilities The area’s YMCA of Middle Tennessee branches including Brentwood Family YMCA, Maryland Farms YMCA and YMCA of Cool Springs are popular year round.

The Brentwood-Cool Springs area also has sports complexes such as D1 Sports Training and A-Game Sportsplex. The FiftyForward Martin Center welcomes the 50-plus crowd for classes, programs and special interest groups.

– Renee Elder

Michael Conti

experienced and novice skateboarders. The park includes bowls, ramps, stairs and railings.

Maggie’s Bark Park in Franklin

Selling Tennessee One Acre at a Time

148 5th Ave. N. • Franklin, TN 37064 • (615) 790-8884 www.facebook.com/TTPRealtors • www.timthompsonpremierrealtors.com

Education

Laying Strong Foundations

Jeff Adkins

Columbia State builds new campus in Williamson County

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reater convenience to higher education and workforce training is just around the corner for residents here, with ground broken recently for a new Columbia State Community College campus.

Around $6.5 million in state funding cleared the way for the college to purchase property in Franklin.

The campus will replace the facility that has served residents for more than 30 years, and will offer the chance to complete two-year, certificate training and eventually four-year studies at home, says Bethany Lay, executive for advancement at Columbia State.

Substantial Economic Impact “The economic impact will be immediate, just because of the project’s size and construction budget,” Lay says. “A longer-term economic impact will be the college’s payroll, and what the students spend in and around the area when they are coming to and from class.”

Columbia State’s many programs already support workforce development in the county, and with an expanded campus and more courses, that will only increase, Lay predicts.

Campus as Recruiting Tool “We will be able to sustain and assist existing industry, and be ready to offer education and training to new ones that come into the county,” Lay

says. “We think that’s one way we can serve as a strong recruiting tool for the county.”

Williamson County takes pride in its K-12 education system, and the new campus will allow those students to complete the education spectrum.

Agreements with nearby four-year colleges allow for credit transfer, and the plan is to offer some of their programs on campus so Columbia State students can earn a four-year degree without transferring.

Four-Year Degree Options Planned “Our articulation agreements will expand as we build out the campus,” Lay says. “We envision a day when someone can achieve a four-year degree without ever leaving Williamson County.

Our participation in the Tennessee Pathways program also helps those who receive a two-year degree and then want to transfer.”

Other beneficiaries of the campus will be nontraditional students, or those who want to take classes that count only for the knowledge or skills earned to improve quality of life.

“From the classes to the arts and culture opportunities, there will be aspects of the campus for everyone in Williamson County to enjoy and benefit from,” Lay says.

– Joe Morris

community profile snapshot Williamson County is a vibrant, growing community known for its scenic beauty, quiet neighborhoods and thriving business districts.

Home to many community groups, historic sites and an array of activities, the county offers something for the entire family.

26.1% White Collar

73.9%

EDUCATION

Blue Collar

Williamson County Schools 472-4000, www.wcs.edu

Franklin Special School District 794-6624, www.fssd.org The county is served by two school districts: Williamson County Schools is a studentcentered academically enriching district that supports the collaborative educational efforts of students, teachers, staff and community. Franklin Special School District is an innovative, top-ranked K-8 school system. Detailed information on schools is available at websites shown above.

EDUCATION LEVELS (Percentage of persons age 25+) High school graduate, 94.8 Bachelor’s degree or higher, 51.8

Workforce

97,060 Labor Force

44,290

Brentwood Parks & Recreation 371-0080 Franklin Parks Department 794-2103 Williamson County Parks & Recreation 790-5719

bethesda rec. center 4907 Bethesda Rd. Thompson’s Station, TN 37179 794-3429

8607 Horton Hwy. College Grove, TN 37046 368-2126

fairview park & recreation complex 2714 Fairview Blvd. W. Fairview, TN 37062 779-9331

hillsboro-leiper’s fork park & recreation center 5331 Old Hwy. 96 W. Franklin, TN 37064 591-9274

Longview Rec. Center at Spring Hill

36,144

2909 Commonwealth Dr. Spring Hill, TN 37174 302-0971

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(under construction) 7250 Nolensville Rd. Nolensville, TN 37135 790-5719

Robert A. Ring Indoor Soccer arena 1878 Downs Blvd.

Franklin, TN 37064 790-5792

williamson county indoor sports complex 920 Heritage Way Brentwood, TN 37027 370-3471

Williamson county rec. complex 1120 Hillsboro Rd. Franklin, TN 37064 790-5719

college grove rec. center

Work Inside the County

Work Outside the County

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PARKS & RECREATION

NOLENSVILLE REC. CENTER

EMERGENCY NUMBERS Fire, Police or Medical Emergency 911 Tennessee Highway Patrol 794-1442

Police/Sheriff Departments (non-emergency) Brentwood, 371-0160 Fairview, 799-2431 Franklin, 794-2513 Nolensville, 776-3640 Williamson County 790-5550

Fire Departments (Non-emergency) Brentwood, 371-0170 Franklin, 791-3270

Volunteer Fire & Rescue (non-emergency) Williamson County, 790-5821

COST OF LIVING (2nd quarter 2012) Composite index

88.3

Grocery items

95.4

Health care

85.8

Housing

73.5

Misc. goods & services

97.8

Transportation

92.8

Utilities

87.2

U.S. average

100.0

POPULATION (2011 estimates) Williamson County Brentwood

188,560 38,144

Fairview

7,947

Franklin

64,317

Nolensville

6,036

Spring Hill

29,735

Thompson’s Station

2,258

CLIMATE Average annual temp.

58.8

Jan. average high

46.9

Jan. average low

28.4

June average high

86.4

June average low

65.1

Average annual precip.

Average annual snow

59.5” 8.2”

NUMBERS TO KNOW Driver license 790-5515 Election Commission 790-5711 Recycling 790-5848 Vehicle Registration 790-5712 Voter Registration 790-5711

UTILITIES Cable Charter Comm. 931-388-3550 Comcast 244-5900

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Ad Index

C3 Aloft Hotel Cool Springs

55 American Constructors

1 Ascend Federal Credit Union

56 Avatar Software

36 BancorpSouth

58 BBE Solutions

51 Bell Historic Franklin

4 Bob Parks Realty – Susan Gregory 32 CharacterEyes 8 Columbia State Community College 32 Crye Leike – Brenda Wilhoite

34 Crye-Leike Relocation Services

58 Currey Ingram Academy

C4 Dock Street Realty of Tennessee LLC

49 First Light Home Care

38 First State Bank

34 Franklin Special School District

16 Franklin Synergy Bank

32 Goodall Homes

36 Harpeth True Value

16 Hyatt Place Nashville – Franklin-Cool Springs

38 Judy A. Oxford

Ad Index (cont.)

59 Keller Williams – Paula Rait

59 Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority

29 Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation

8 Nashville Golf & Athletic Club

34 Nashville Pizza Company

25 Primrose School of Cool Springs

47 Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant

15 Southeast Financial Credit Union

49 Star Physical Therapy

25 Tennessee Credit Union

21 The Factory at Franklin

56 The Goddard School

53 Tim Thompson Premier Realtors

29 United Country Real Estate

34 Vanderbilt Legends Club

31 Vanderbilt Medical Center Williamson

21 Williamson County Soccer Association

C2 Williamson Medical Center 2 Wingate by Wyndham

Ben & Paula Rait Affiliate Brokers

“Working together selling homes 25+ years”

Electricity Middle Tenn. Elec.

794-3561

Nashville Electric

736-6900

Garbage Collection

Day, evening or weekend appointments available

Franklin (city)

794-1516

Buyer Agents for Resale and new construction purchases

Natural Gas

Listings include using Realtor.com enhanced features, making your home stand out against the rest.

ATMOS Energy

794-2596

Piedmont

734-0665

Telephone AT&T: Residence AT&T: Business

800-288-2020 866-620-6000

United Telephone

800-779-2227

Water

Paula cell: (615) 585-1700 Ben cell: (615) 585-9400 Office: (615) 778-1818

ce n e i er ” p x “E atters M

For Home search, visit:

www.BenandPaulaRait.com

Brentwood

371-0080

Franklin

794-4572

HB and TS Util.

794-7796

Mallory Valley Util.

628-0237

Milcrofton Util.

794-5947

Nolensville

776-2511

Fairview

441-4188

LIBRARIES Bethesda

790-1887

Brentwood

371-0090

College Grove

368-3222

Fairview

799-0235

Leiper’s Fork

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794-7019

Nolensville

776-5490

Williamson County

794-3105

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