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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.
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tennessee
countywilliamson
One Williamson, One Chamber
Unification joins county’s three largest chambers of commerce
COMMUnItY COnneCtIOnsWilliamson localities give residents many attractive options
HAPPY 75tHNatchez Trace celebrates anniversary
2013 | lIvAbIlItY.COM/WIllIAMsOn-COUntY
sPOnsOred bY tHe WIllIAMsOn COUntY CHAMber Of COMMerCeFind local business listings at www.williamsoncountychamber.org
Brentwood/Franklin/Cool Springs
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1738 Carothers Parkway Brentwood, TN 37027 (615) 277-8700 www.wingateinns.com
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 3
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On tHe COver The Natchez Trace Parkway Photo by Jeffrey S. Otto
dePartments
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
contents
Features
10 One WIllIAMsOn, One CHAMberUnification joins county’s three largest chambers of commerce
14 COMMUnItY COnneCtIOnsBustling to bucolic, Williamson localities offer residents many attractive choices
18 tHe GrAss Is GreenerGroup looks to make Franklin parks even better
26 COMMOn GOAlsWilliamson County community rallies around soccer
30 HAPPY 75tHNatchez Trace celebrates anniversary of becoming national park
34 HeAd Of tHe ClAssCounty’s education system a force for recruiting
38 KeePInG tHInGs CIvIlFranklin’s Charge active in protecting endangered battlefield
42 MAGnetIC fOrCeCounty’s economic success attracts more developers and companies
46 rOOM tO sPAreNew hotels support tourism industry
30
18
2013 edItIOn | vOlUMe 26
countywilliamsontennessee
4 WilliamsoN coUNT y
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TENNESSEECOUNTYWILLIAMSON
One Williamson,
One Chamber Unification joins county’s three
largest chambers of commerce
COMMUNITY
CONNECTIONS
Williamson localities give
residents many attractive options
HAPPY 75TH
Natchez Trace
celebrates anniversary
2013 | LIVABILITY.COM/WILLIAMSON-COUNTY
SPONSORED BY THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Find local business listings at www.williamsoncountychamber.org
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 5 4 WilliamsoN coUNT y
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PrOOfreAdInG MAnAGer RaveN PeTTy
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JeSSiCa MOzO, CHRiS RUSSeLL
senIOr GrAPHIC desIGners STaCey aLLiS,
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Jake SHOReS, vikki WiLLiaMS
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senIOr PHOtOGrAPHers JeFF adkiNS, BRiaN McCORd
stAff PHOtOGrAPHers MaRTiN B. CHeRRy, MiCHaeL CONTi
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exeCUtIve InteGrAted MedIA MAnAGer MaRy aNN STaFFORd
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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
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 [email protected].
fOr MOre InfOrMAtIOn, COntACt:Williamson County Chamber of Commerce
1164 Columbia ave • Franklin, TN 37064Phone: (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
What’s online livability.com/williamson-county
tennessee
countywilliamson
One Williamson, One Chamber
Unification joins county’s three largest chambers of commerce
COMMUnItY COnneCtIOnsWilliamson localities give residents many attractive options
HAPPY 75tHNatchez Trace celebrates anniversary
2013 | lIvAbIlItY.COM/WIllIAMsOn-COUntY
sPOnsOred bY tHe WIllIAMsOn COUntY CHAMber Of COMMerCeFind local business listings at www.williamsoncountychamber.org
See more great photos of Williamson County in our online photo and video galleries.
Flip through the pages of this magazine and easily share articles using Facebook, Twitter or email.
PhoToS & VidEoS
digiTaL magazinE
FacTS Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more.
LiVing hErELearn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health-care providers.
countywilliamson
tennessee
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.
Welcome to Williamson CountyaN iNTRoDUcTioN To THE aREa’s PEoPlE, PlacEs aND EvENTs
Historic Heart of the CityThe 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 full-
service boutique that carries top designer lines and accessories.
NeighborMd is a walk-in clinic, and FirstWatch is a breakfast-
exclusive 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.
Savoring the SweetsWilliamson 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.
almanac
6 WilliamsoN coUNT y
Charged for SuccessThe 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 kilowatt-
hour 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.
Jumping for Joyequestrian 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.
Happy Hour HavensJJ’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 open-
air 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.
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 7
1703 Crockett Springs Trail • Brentwood, TN 37027 • 615.370.3346
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
also host to:Two International Championships
Three National Championships Eight State Championships
Come and Enjoy …
Nashville Golf & Athletic ClubOne of Middle Tennessee’s finest golf courses Our friendly Nashville Golf family of members
www.ngac.net
New for 2012: revised Junior Membership (to age 33) Special Junior Guest rate • New “No initiation” Family Membership
New Senior Membership classifications
8 WilliamsoN coUNT y
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 glanceFast Factsn 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 award-winning main street Program thanks to its revitalization efforts.
POPUlAtIOn (2011 estIMAte)Franklin: 64,317
Brentwood: 38,144
Williamson County: 199,801
lOCAtIOnWilliamson County is just south of
Nashville, in the scenic, rolling hills
of Middle Tennessee.
beGInnInGsin 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 InfOrMAtIOnWilliamson 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
[email protected] www.williamsoncountychamber.org
10096
96
31
43134
31A
2424
65
4040
Spring Hill
Nolensville
Thompson’s Station
Fairview
College Grove
Triune
Leipers Fork
Arrington
FranklinCool Springs
Brentwood
Nash llelillll
WILLIAMSON Harpeth River
City
City
City
City
City
STATE
River
Main City Name312
3121
65
COUNTY NAMEO TY13
To City
Williamson county
What’s online Take a virtual tour of Williamson County, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at livability.com/williamson-county/tn.
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 9 8 WilliamsoN coUNT y
brad 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, Brentwood-Cool 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.
UnIfICAtIOn jOIns COUntY’s tHree lArGest CHAMbers Of COMMerCe
STORy By KevIn lItWIn
One Williamson,One ChamberM
aR
TiN
B. C
He
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y
Williamson county chamber of commerce interim General manager Jerry sharber and chairman brad Dunn
10 WilliamsoN coUNT y
One Williamson,
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
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 11 10 WilliamsoN coUNT y
“The task force determined that a unified chamber would best serve Williamson County, so the process started.”
A 94 Percent voteDunn 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
area businesswomen register at the chamber-sponsored Professional Women’s Holiday luncheon in 2012.
Williamson county young Professionals joined for a fun Tacky sweater Party in December 2012.
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Welcome, Mr. PresidentlArGen leAds UnIfIed CHAMber
Matt 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
Hundreds of business leaders turned out for the october 2012 Williamson county chamber membership luncheon.
project that everything in the office will be in place by March 2013 to best serve our 1,500 members.”
new President, new WebsiteAnother 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 full-time 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.”
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What’s online For more stories on the people, places and events that define Williamson County, visit livability.com/williamson-county.
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 13 12 WilliamsoN coUNT y
community connections
bUstlInG tO bUCOlIC, WIllIAMsOn lOCAlItIes Offer resIdents AttrACtIve CHOICes
community connections
charming 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 CorridorMuch 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,
STORy By lAUrA HIllPHOTOGRaPHy By jeff AdKIns & jeffreY s. OttO
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.
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 15
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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, once-rural 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
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 17 16 WilliamsoN coUNT y
Friends 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
STORy By lAUrA HIllPHOTOGRaPHy By jeffreY s. OttO
The Grass Is Greener
frIends Of frAnKlIn PArKs WOrK tO rejUvenAte CItY’s leIsUre-tIMe sPOts
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.
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.
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
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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
22 WilliamsoN coUNT y
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 franklinInitial 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.”
22 WilliamsoN coUNT y
live Well, Play WellCOUntY PArKs Offer fUn fOr All
Williamson 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 HillAbove: 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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the 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.
tennessee soccer ClubThe 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.”
STORy By CHrIs rUssell
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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livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 29
fantastic facilitiesThe 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.
Williamson County soccer AssociationMeanwhile, 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.
fairview soccer AssociationThe 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.
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
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A 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
STORy By KevIn lItWIn
nAtCHez trACe CelebrAtes AnnIversArY
Of beCOMInG nAtIOnAl PArK
happy
75t h
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The Natchez Trace Parkway features a 1,600-foot double-arched bridge.
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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.
War of 1812 ObservanceAlso 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 visitFor Parkway attractions today
near Williamson County, Turnbow suggests a visit to the John Gordon House, the first major site south of
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www.williamsoncountysoccer.com
Celebrating 35 Years of Soccer Fun!Learning the game of soccer has never been so exciting!
Recreational Leagues for Ages 4 to 19 • Fall & Spring Outdoor SoccerIndoor Arena Soccer Leagues • Hot Shots & Little Kickers Summer Camp
(615) [email protected]
43 Retail Shops & Restaurants
• Art
• Antiques
• Clothing
• Unique Gifts
• Home Furnishings
• Event Venues
• Dining Experiences
• Learning Centers
Six blocks from Historic Downtown Franklin 230 Franklin Rd. • (615) 791-1777 • www.factoryatfranklin.com
On the National Register of Historic Places
TheFactory
at Franklin
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.
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bottom left: Harpeth bicycle club members cycle along the Natchez Trace Parkway. bottom right: Waterfall flows near Natchez Trace
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students 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 standardsThe highlight of the education
system here is perhaps Williamson County Schools, Tennessee’s highest-achieving 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 AplentySpecial 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 OptionsSeven elementary and middle
schools of the Franklin Special
COUntY’s edUCAtIOn sYsteM A fOrCe fOr reCrUItInG
Headof the
ClAssSTORy By jOHn MCbrYde
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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frAnKlIn’s CHArGe ACtIve In PrOteCtInG endAnGered bAttlefIeld
Keeping Things
civil
reenactment of the battle
of franklin sTaFF PHoTo
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Franklin’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
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.
STORy By CHrIs rUssell
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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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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.
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What’s online For more stories on people, places and events in Williamson County, visit livability.com/williamson-county.
There 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
County’s eConomiC suCCess attraCtive to developers, Companies
Magnetic FORCE
STory By John mCBryde
nissan north america headquarters in Franklin
Business
42 WilliamsonCount y
themeridianCoolspringsdevelopmentbroughtseveralnewshoppinganddiningchoicestoareaprofessionalsandresidents.
42 WilliamsonCount y livabilit y.Com/ Williamson - Count y 43
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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 JobsGrowth 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 software-development 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.”
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Business
With 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 overnight-stay 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
neW HOtels sUPPOrt WIllIAMsOn COUntY GrOWtH As tOUrIst destInAtIOn
STORy By jOe MOrrIs | PHOTOGRaPHy By jeffreY s. OttO
rOOMsPAresPAre
TO
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
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
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NO ONE KNOWS THE COUNTRY LIKE WE DO
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615-599-3676www.leipersfork.com
Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
bottom left: aloft Nashville-cool springs is home to the “w xyz bar,” which features specialty cocktails. bottom right: butterfly meadows inn & Farm
in helping the various tourism-related 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.”
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Business
chamber reportNolENsvillE aTTRacTs REsiDENTial aND commERcial DEvEloPmENT
the 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
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
chuck Fann, the Nolensville chamber of commerce chairman, poses in front of the Nolensville Town Hall.
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HarpetH
Located at the corner of Downs Blvd. and Columbia Ave. (Hwy. 31) in Franklin203 Downs Blvd. • Franklin, TN 37064 • Fax: (615) 794-4881
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Business
chamber reportFaiRviEW cHambER PUsHEs GREEN iNiTiaTivE
beverly 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 fairviewThe 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 CenterOther 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
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beverly Totty, Fairview mayor and chamber of commerce president
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scorecardbUsIness At
A GlAnCe
$3 billionAnnual retail sales
$19,834retail sales
Per Capita
$383 million
Annual Hotel and
food sales
25,339total number
of firms
Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts
Business
Biz BriefsbUsiNEssEs – boTH laRGE aND small – THaT HElP DEFiNE
WilliamsoN coUNTy’s EcoNomic climaTE
MAserAtI, rOlls-rOYCe, bentleY Of nAsHvIlleBiz: Luxury vehicle dealershipBuzz: 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
54 WilliamsoN coUNT y
InsIde OUt PlAY PArKBiz: Family-based play centerBuzz: 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 AUtOMOtIveBiz: Vehicle dealershipBuzz: 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 vIneYArdsBiz: Vineyard and wineryBuzz: Arrington Vineyards, founded in 2005 by Kix Brooks, Fred Mindermann and Kip Summers, offers award-winning 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 vIllAGeBiz: Residential communityBuzz: 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.tollgatevillagetn.com
Can you imagine …a world without children?
We Can’t.Call 1-800-996-4100 to help.
www.stjude.org
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Judy OxfOrd
Attorney At LAw
GenerAL LAw PrActiceciviL LAw • criminAL LAw • divorce • custody • juveniLe
business & corPorAte LAw • PersonAL injury • triAL Attorney wiLLs-estAtes-ProbAte • vAnderbiLt LAw schooL 1987
400 suGArtree LAne suite 520
FrAnkLin, tn 37064
(615) 791-8511
www.judyoxFordLAw.com
visit ouradvertisersAloft Hotel Cool Springswww.aloftnashvillecoolsprings.com
American Constructorswww.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 Franklinwww.bellhistoricfranklin.com
Bob Parks Realty – Susan Gregorywww.homesaroundnashvilletn.com
CharacterEyes – www.charactereyespc.com
Columbia State Community Collegewww.columbiastate.edu
Crye Leike – Brenda Wilhoitewww.brendawilhoite.com
Crye-Leike Relocation Services www.crye-leike.com
Currey Ingram Academy – www.curreyingram.org
Dock Street Realty of Tennessee LLCwww.tollgatevillagetn.com
First Light Home Carewww.firstlighthomecare.com
First State Bank – www.first-state.net
Franklin Special School District – www.fssd.org
Franklin Synergy Bankwww.franklinsynergybank.com
Goodall Homes – www.goodallhomes.com
Harpeth True Value – www.harpethtruevalue.com
Hyatt Place Nashville – Franklin-Cool Springswww.franklin.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels
Judy A. Oxford – www.judyoxfordlaw.com
Keller Williams – Paula Raitwww.BenandPaulaRait.com
Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authoritywww.nashintl.com
Middle Tennessee Electric Membership [email protected]
Nashville Golf & Athletic Club – www.ngac.net
Nashville Pizza Companywww.nashvillepizzacompany.com
Primrose School of Cool Springswww.primrosecoolsprings.com
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurantwww.puckettsgrocery.com
Southeast Financial Credit Unionwww.southeastfinancial.org
Star Physical Therapy – www.starpt.com
Tennessee Credit Union – www.ttcu.org
The Factory at Franklin – www.factoryatfranklin.com
The Goddard School – www.goddardschools.com
Tim Thompson Premier Realtorswww.timthompsonpremierrealtors.com
United Country Real Estate – www.leipersfork.com
Vanderbilt Legends Clubwww.vanderbiltlegendsclub.com
Vanderbilt Medical Center Williamsonwww.vanderbilthealth.com/williamson
Williamson County Soccer Associationwww.williamsoncountysoccer.com
Williamson Medical Centerwww.williamsonmedicalcenter.org
Wingate by Wyndhamwww.wingatehotels.com
56 WilliamsoN coUNT y
bUsIness ClIMAteWilliamson 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.
eCOnOMIC PrOfIle
MAjOr eMPlOYers
CoolSprings Galleria: 3,500
Williamson County Schools:
3,435
Community Health Systems:
2,153
Williamson County
Government/Services: 1,842
Williamson Medical Center:
1,397
HCa: 1,368
verizon Wireless: 1,300
Nissan americas: 1,200
United Health Group: 1,200
Healthways: 900
Comdata Corporation: 869
Ford Motor Credit: 800
Mars Petcare: 742
Lee Company: 625
Tractor Supply Company: 552
eCOnOMIC resOUrCes
WIllIAMsOn COUntY CHAMber Of COMMerCe 1164 Columbia avenue
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 794-1225
williamsoncountychamber.org
nOlensvIlle CHAMber Of COMMerCe P.O. Box 531
Nolensville, TN 37135
(615) 794-1225
fAIrvIeW AreA CHAMber Of COMMerCe 7100 City Center Way
Fairview, TN 37062
(615) 799-9290
WIllIAMsOn COUntY OffICe Of eCOnOMIC develOPMent 305 Public Square, Ste. 214
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 261-2880
InCOMe
$121,883 average Household income
$41,977
Per Capita income
trAnsPOrtAtIOn
AIrPOrts:Nashville international airport
1 Terminal drive
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 275-1600
shultz airport
4622 villa Green drive
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 665-0663
bUs servICe:The Tma Group
708 Columbia avenue
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 790-4005
Franklin Transit authority
(615) 628-0260
MAjOr rOAdWAYs:i-65, i-40, state Route 840
GOvernMent OffICes
Williamson county mayor
Rogers anderson
1320 West Main, Suite 125
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
(615) 799-CiTy
www.fairview-tn.org
city of Franklin
109 3rd avenue South
Franklin, TN 37064
(615) 791-3217
www.franklin-gov.com
Town of Nolensville
7218 Nolensville Road
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
Thompson’s Station, TN 37179
www.thompsons-station.com
Business
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Downtown Franklin’s square at dusk Photo by Michael Conti
See the County
58 WilliamsoN coUNT y
Food court at the CoolSprings Galleria in Franklin Photo by Michael Conti
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Local Flavor
Williamson 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
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 made-
to-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 eateriesCool Springs has dozens of
great restaurants, and two popular
hotspots are Noshville and Boscos.
sweet smell of successDivERsE EaTERiEs PEPPER THE cUisiNE scENE
Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant in leiper’s Fork offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and live music.
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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-and-
grill 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
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Franklin Farmers marketFor 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.
downtown franklin features several family-friendly restaurants.
Health & Wellness
Health-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
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 Futurevanderbilt 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
Partners in healthWilliamsoN mEDical cENTER aND vaNDERbilT UNivERsiTy mEDical cENTER TEam UP To PRoviDE WoRlD-class PaTiENT caRE
62 WilliamsoN coUNT y
aging careWIllIaMSon CounTy haS Many ChoICeS For ThoSe SeekInG qualITy SenIor Care anD aSSISTeD lIvInG oPTIonS. They InCluDe:
Belvedere Commons of FranklinBrighton Gardens of BrentwoodBrightStone Inc.Claiborne & hughes health
Center Inc.elmcroft of BrentwoodGrace healthcare of FranklinThe Maristone of FranklinnhC – FranklinnhC Place Cool Springs
Williamson county medical center4321 CaroTherS ParkWay
FranklIn, Tn 37067
WWW.WIllIaMSonMeDICalCenTer.orG
(615) 435-5000
trio of top Providersin 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
Brentwood – 376-3556
Brentwood East – 283-8109
Cool Springs – 778-9894
D1 Sports Training – 778-8800
Fairview – 799-1915
Franklin – 591-8480
Franklin East – 550-3890
Grassland – 261-0245
Nolensville – 776-8298
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 Homewww.STArpt.com
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 63 62 WilliamsoN coUNT y
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arts & Culture
Williamson 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.
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
admire local artistryWilliamsoN coUNTy HosTs EvER-cHaNGiNG aRT aDvENTUREs
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March Main Street Brew Fest, FranklinTaste of Williamson and restaurant Week, Cool Springs Galleria Mall
april Main Street Festival, Franklin May MayFest Music Festival at Bowie Park, FairviewTennessee equine Grand Prix, Brownland Farm, FranklinTennessee renaissance Festival, arrington
July Franklin on the Fourth, Franklin
august Williamson County Chamber Golf Classic, vanderbilt legends Club, Franklin
Williamson County Fair, Franklin
septeMber Broken Wheel Festival, nolensville
Franklin Jazz Festival, Franklin
OctOber Country ham Festival, Spring hill
healthy living and lifestyles health expo, Brentwood
Pumpkinfest, Franklin
Susan G. komen race for the Cure, Brentwood
Town Center Saturdays, Brentwood
NOveMber Wine Down Main Street, Franklin
DeceMber Dickens of a Christmas, Franklin
Festivals & events WilliaMsON cOuNty resiDeNts eNJOy a caleNDar full Of fuN eveNts. aMONg the largest are:
64 WilliamsoN coUNT y
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 exhiBitsPinnacle 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.
left: Damico Frame & art Gallery; right: student artwork decorates the walls at brentwood academy. J
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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
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Sports & Recreation
Williamson County is known
for gorgeous scenic drives, multi-
activity parks, and lots of leagues
and facilities for competitive
sports. Here are some hotspots:
BoWie Park and nature center
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 ParkPeople 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 ParkWith 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 Parka 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
six reasons to get movingGREaT REcREaTioN siTEs aND FaciliTiEs aWaiT acTivE TyPEs HERE
STa
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Above: the paved trails at brentwood’s Crockett Park lure skaters, walkers, runners and bikers from Williamson county and surrounding areas.
148 5th Ave. N. • Franklin, TN 37064 • (615) 790-8884 www.facebook.com/TTPRealtors • www.timthompsonpremierrealtors.com
Selling Tennessee One Acre at a Time
66 WilliamsoN coUNT y 148 5th Ave. N. • Franklin, TN 37064 • (615) 790-8884
www.facebook.com/TTPRealtors • www.timthompsonpremierrealtors.com
Selling Tennessee One Acre at a TimeM
iCH
ae
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ON
Ti
maggie’s bark Park in Franklin
experienced and novice
skateboarders. The park includes
bowls, ramps, stairs and railings.
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
68 WilliamsoN coUNT y
education
laying strong FoundationscolUmbia sTaTE bUilDs NEW camPUs iN WilliamsoN coUNTy
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68 WilliamsoN coUNT y
Greater 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
edUCAtIOn
WIllIAMsOn COUntY sCHOOls472-4000, www.wcs.edu
frAnKlIn sPeCIAl sCHOOl dIstrICt794-6624, www.fssd.org
The county is served by two
school districts: Williamson
County Schools is a student-
centered 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
97,060labor Force
44,290 Work inside the county
36,144 Work outside the county
26.1% White collar
73.9% blue collar
PArKs & reCreAtIOn
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
COlleGe GrOve reC. Center 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 2909 Commonwealth dr.
Spring Hill, TN 37174
302-0971
nOlensvIlle reC. Center (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
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
snAPsHOtWilliamson 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.
COMMUnItY PrOfIle
70 WilliamsoN coUNT y
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 188,560
Brentwood 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. 59.5”
average annual snow 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
CAbleCharter Comm. 931-388-3550
Comcast 244-5900
livabiliT y.com/ WilliamsoN - coUNT y 71 70 WilliamsoN coUNT y
Ad Index C3 AloftHotelCoolSpringS
55 AmeriCAnConStruCtorS
1 ASCendfederAl Creditunion
56 AvAtArSoftwAre
36 BAnCorpSoutH
58 BBeSolutionS
51 BellHiStoriCfrAnklin
4 BoBpArkSreAlty– SuSAngregory
32 CHArACtereyeS
8 ColumBiAStAte CommunityCollege
32 Cryeleike–BrendAwilHoite
34 Crye-leike reloCAtionServiCeS
58 CurreyingrAmACAdemy
C4 doCkStreetreAlty oftenneSSeellC
49 firStligHtHomeCAre
38 firStStAteBAnk
34 frAnklinSpeCiAl SCHooldiStriCt
16 frAnklinSynergyBAnk
32 goodAllHomeS
36 HArpetHtruevAlue
16 HyAttplACenASHville– frAnklin-CoolSpringS
38 JudyA.oxford
Ad Index (cont.) 59 kellerwilliAmS–pAulArAit
59 metropolitAnnASHville AirportAutHority
29 middletenneSSeeeleCtriC memBerSHipCorporAtion
8 nASHvillegolf &AtHletiCCluB
34 nASHville pizzACompAny
25 primroSeSCHool ofCoolSpringS
47 puCkett’SgroCery &reStAurAnt
15 SoutHeAStfinAnCiAl Creditunion
49 StArpHySiCAltHerApy
25 tenneSSeeCreditunion
21 tHefACtoryAtfrAnklin
56 tHegoddArdSCHool
53 timtHompSon premierreAltorS
29 unitedCountry reAleStAte
34 vAnderBiltlegendSCluB
31 vAnderBiltmediCAl CenterwilliAmSon
21 williAmSonCounty SoCCerASSoCiAtion
C2 williAmSon mediCAlCenter
2 wingAteBywyndHAm
eleCtrICItY
Middle Tenn. elec. 794-3561
Nashville electric 736-6900
GArbAGe COlleCtIOn
Franklin (city) 794-1516
nAtUrAl GAs
aTMOS energy 794-2596
Piedmont 734-0665
telePHOne
aT&T: Residence 800-288-2020
aT&T: Business 866-620-6000
United Telephone 800-779-2227
WAter
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 794-7019
Nolensville 776-5490
Williamson County 794-3105
Ben & Paula RaitAffiliate Brokers
“Working together selling homes 25+ years”
“Experience
Matters”
Day, evening or weekend appointments available
Buyer Agents for Resale and new construction purchases
Listings include using Realtor.com enhanced features, making your home stand out against the rest.
Paula cell: (615) 585-1700 Ben cell: (615) 585-9400Office: (615) 778-1818
For Home search, visit:
www.BenandPaulaRait.com
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