A few weeks ago the city’s planning director. Keith Free, gave the board an overview of possible impact fees for new construction. The fees would apply to houses and businesses to pay for new infrastructure in roads, parks, police, and fire. The preliminary estimate to build a single-family house would be a charge of $4,390. Business buildings would be charged based on square footage and building use. Consultants hired by the city presented a draft of their suggestions several weeks ago. They followed up with an informal presentation at a board workshop last week. Currently Sumner County charges building fees for schools. Several other cities In Middle Tennessee have fees (or development taxes) as a means to upgrade their infrastructure. Those cities include White House, Smyrna, Brentwood, and Franklin.

A year ago we hired a new assistant for economic development. We have increased the city’s advertising, participation with the Tennessee Department of Economic Development, and interaction with people who help businesses find new sites. We were hearing, however, that our workforce was not good enough. Are you kidding me? The reason that businesses were seeing that was that they were seeing who works in Hendersonville now. Those snapshots do not show the workers who live in Hendersonville but work outside Hendersonville. The consequence was that many of our professionals who work in Davidson County were not showing up as part of Hendersonville’s workforce. We needed data on what all Hendersonville residents, those working here and outside the city, have to offer. Then we could show employers those numbers. With the help of the Hendersonville and Nashville chambers of commerce and the Tennessee Department of Economic Development, we found some pretty startling data that shows how attractive Hendersonville really is for businesses that need employees. The data will significantly change what businesses see when they consider Hendersonville for their next home.

 Chik-fil-A will be adding a second drive-through lane and making some other outside changes.
The Krispy Kreme building is becoming Slim Chickens.
Old Kroger is becoming All Air Extreme Trampoline Park.
Clarendale, which is behind McAlister’s, will have independent living, assisted living and memory care. It will open this fall.
Two buildings soon will be built along Saundersville Road near Stop 30 Road. They will be a TOA clinic and a 23,000-square-foot medical office building.
Others:
615Autosales.com, at 615 West Main Street; Gulf Equipment Corporation, 615 West Main Street; Batteries Plus Bulbs, 1002 Glenbrook Way, Suite 210.

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