Forward Sumner Economic Partnership (FSEP) recently held its highly anticipated 2024 Summer Meeting at Foxland Event Center in Gallatin, bringing together key stakeholders, investors, and community leaders to celebrate the county’s economic progress and outline strategic initiatives for the future.

The event, which took place on August 7, was highlighted by the presence of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and State Commissioner for Economic and Community Development Stuart McWhorter, underscoring the significance of Sumner County’s economic development efforts.

Economic Growth Highlights

FSEP President & CEO Chris Taylor presented impressive economic growth figures for Sumner County:

  • Job Growth: From 66,100 jobs in 2019 to 71,992 in 2023.
  • Capital Investments: Increased from $95.2 million in 2019 to $177.5 million in 2023.
  • Gross Regional Product (GRP): Grew from $6.3 billion in 2019 to $8.7 billion in 2023.
  • Sales Tax Revenues: Rose from $202.7 million in 2019 to $321.7 million in 2023.

These figures underscore the county’s robust economic development and the effectiveness of FSEP’s strategies.

Strategic Initiatives

FSEP unveiled several key initiatives aimed at further enhancing Sumner County’s economic landscape:

  • Community Development Infrastructure (CDI): Leveraging data-driven insights and partnerships to improve county infrastructure and community development.
  • Financial Literacy Resource Center: A collaboration with Wilson Bank & Trust and Banzai to provide comprehensive financial education resources to county residents.
  • Advanced Community Analytics: Partnering with Volunteer State Community College to develop interactive dashboards for labor market data visualization and career exploration.
  • Sumner CTE Insight SharePoint: A tool developed with Sumner County Schools to advance career and technical education, aligning programs with industry needs.
  • Workforce Development: Focusing on collaboration, skill development, and work-based learning opportunities to create a skilled and ready workforce.

Governor Lee praised Sumner County’s economic performance, stating, “Tennessee has the number one economy in the nation,” and applauded the county for creating “a place that is so attractive that people and businesses want to continue to relocate here.”

As Forward Sumner continues to spearhead economic development in the county, the organization remains focused on attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones, and fostering entrepreneurship. With a data-driven approach and strong community partnerships, Sumner County is well-positioned for continued growth and prosperity.

For more details on Forward Sumner’s event, visit Main Street Publications article.

TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center has been named a 2022 Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award recipient for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) services by Press Ganey. The award places the hospital in the country’s top five percent of healthcare providers.

 

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January 27, 2023  – At the January 27, 2023 Forward Sumner Economic Partnership Annual Stakeholders and Board of Directors  meeting, the following were appointed to the 2023 Board of Directors:

 

Executive Committee

Justin Coury, TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center – Chair

Hillary Goodall Bonham, Goodall Homes & Communities – Past Chair

Rod Harkleroad, Sumner Regional Medical Center

Tara Tenorio, Meta

Jimmy Johnston – President & CEO

 

Board Members

Tim Cole, Tennessee Grasslands

Susan Dye, UNIPRES

Johnny Garrett, Spencer Fane

Mike Gaughan, RE/MAX Choice Properties

Tony Gregory, Volunteer State  Bank

Jerry Herman, City of White House

Mack Hodges, Hodges Group

Meredith Hunter, Hendersonville Industrial Development Board

John Isbell, Sumner County Mayor

Scott Perry, The Memorial Foundation

Kevin Releford, GAP

Chris Rippy, Pinnacle Financial

Scot Robinson, Olympian Construction

Marius Sipos, Boyd

Randy Smith, Moonlight LLC

Bridget Winstead, Vanderbilt Hendersonville

 

January 26, 2022  – At the January 26, 2022 Forward Sumner Economic Partnership Annual Stakeholders and Board of Directors winter meeting, the following were appointed to the 2022 Board of Directors:

Taylor Walker, Wilson Bank & Trust – Chair

Hillary Goodall Bonham, Goodall Homes & Communities – Past Chair

Justin Coury, TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center – Incoming Chair

Rick Turner – Secretary

Susan Peach, Sumner Regional Medical Center – Treasurer

Jimmy Johnston – President & CEO

Board Members

Clay Curtis, Curtis Construction

Susan Dye, UNIPRES

Johnny Garrett, Spencer Fane

Mike Gaughan, RE/MAX Choice Properties

Jerry Herman, City of White House

Anthony Holt, Sumner County Mayor

Meredith Hunter, Hendersonville Industrial Development Board

Bryan Ledford, Rogers Group

Scott Perry, The Memorial Foundation

Kevin Releford, GAP

Scot Robinson, Olympian Construction

Gina Scott, Pinnacle

Marius Sipos, Boyd

Randy Smith, Moonlight LLC

Tara Tenorio, Meta/Facebook

 

January 27, 2021  – At the January 27, 2021 Virtual Forward Sumner Economic Partnership Annual Stakeholders and Board of Directors meeting, the following were appointed to the 2021 Board of Directors:

Hillary Goodall Bonham, Goodall Homes & Communities  –  Chair

Taylor Walker, Wilson  Bank & Trust  – Incoming Chaiar

Jim Harrison, CSDG – Past Chair

Rick Turner – Secretary

Susan Peach, Sumner Regional Medical Center – Treasurer

Jimmy Johnston – President & CEO

Board Members

Justin Coury, TriStar Hendersonville Medical Center

Clay Curtin, Curtis Construction

Renee Dauer, Union University

Paul Dixon, Southeastern Construction & Restoration

Johnny Garrett, Bone McAllester Norton

Jerry Herman, City of White House

Anthony Holt, Sumner County Mayor

Meredith Hunter, Hendersonville Industrial Development Board

Bryan Ledford, Rogers Group

Scott Perry, The Memorial Foundation

John Puryear, Puryear Farms & Landscaping

Randy Smith, Moonlight LLC

Matt  Zoellner, Scott Murphy & Daniel

August 11, 2020  –  After several years of working with “Project Woolhawk”, local officials have announced that the project is Facebook, and they are coming to Sumner County.

“We chose Gallatin because of its terrific infrastructure, talented workforce and the spirit of partnership the community offered,” Rachel Peterson, vice president of Data Center Strategy for Facebook, said in a news release Wednesday. “This technology is actually what makes Facebook work, allowing people around the world to connect to each other.  “We are thrilled to be joining the Gallatin community.”

The company will invest $800 million to construct the new state-of-the-art center in Gallatin, and it will cover nearly 1 million square feet and will run entirely on renewable energy.

Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said the Gallatin center will create 100 high-paying positions, not including the construction jobs for the facility.

 

Money will be used to advance CTE and incorporate Dual Enrollment opportunities with TCAT-Hartsville
Westmoreland, TN—Westmoreland High School has been named a recipient of the highly competitive Perkins Reserve Grant totaling $175,000. The grant will be used to advance machining technology including the purchase of several new pieces of equipment that is being utilized in numerous manufacturing facilities across the nation and in Sumner County. Students will have the opportunity to learn advanced skills immediately transferable to the workforce that should increase their likelihood to obtain gainful employment.
In addition, Sumner County Schools has created a partnership with TCAT-Hartsville to offer a dual enrollment course. The new collaboration will enable WHS machining students the opportunity to earn clock hours that can be used toward a certificate or diploma at TCAT. Also, the WHS machining program plans to offer OSHA-10 and/or NIMS certifications for the first time, along with creating workforce partnerships.
“This grant opens up a vast array of opportunities for Westmoreland High School students to grow academically and become even more competitive in their future educational and career pursuits,” Sumner County Schools Supervisor of CTE and STEM, Chase Moore said. “We’ve worked really hard to develop programs that allow students to earn certifications and credentials in a variety of fields before they even graduate. This grant will help continue to strengthen and develop our CTE and STEM programs.”
The US Department of Education approved the state’s plan, Strengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee, which will provide $110 million over four years in federal funds to implement CTE at the K-12 and postsecondary levels in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Education also announced more than $3 million in Perkins Reserve Grants to 44 school districts for the 2020-2021 school year.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful, whatever pathway they choose. Tennessee’s Perkins V Plan will help our districts and education leaders expand access to high quality learning experiences for more students, like work-based learning, STEM programming, and opportunities to earn certifications and credentials even before graduating,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “By strengthening CTE in Tennessee, we are not only investing in our students—we are preparing the future workforce of our state.”
In January 2021, Westmoreland High School plans to host a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate this new partnership.
– Press Release, Sumner County Schools

Forward Sumner recently held its 2019 Annual Stakeholders and Board of Directors Meeting at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Hendersonville.  Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Clay Bright addressed the 90+ members and stakeholders in attendance, touching on overall goals of the department, and focusing on local projects.  Between January 2012 and January 2020, Sumner County projects have totaled to over $184 million.  IMPROVE Act Projects include ten projects with seven of those under development, and three yet to begin.  The total estimated cost is $690 million.

 

Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Workforce Services Assistant Commissioner Kenyatta Lovett presented an Overview and 2020 Outlook.

 

At the January 29, 2020 Forward Sumner Economic Partnership Annual Stakeholders and Board of Directors meeting, the following were appointed to the 2020 Board of Directors:

Jim Harrison, CSDG, Chair

Hillary Bonham, Goodall Homes & Communities, Incoming Chair

Daisy Casey, First Horizon, Past Chair

Rick Turner, Rogers Group, Inc., Secretary

Susan Peach, Sumner Regional Medical Center, Treasurer

Jimmy Johnston, President/CEO

Regina Bartlett, Hendersonville Medical Center

Jimmy Batten, Batten & Shaw

Clay Curtis, Curtis Construction

Paul Dixon, Southeast Construction & Restoration

J.R. Ernst, Ernst-Western Corporation

Johnny Garrett, Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC

Jerry Herman, City of White House

Amanda Hite, STR

Anthony Holt, Sumner County Mayor

Meredith Hunter, Hendersonville IDB

Bryan Ledford, Rogers Group, Inc.

Scott Perry, Memorial Foundation

John Puryear, Puryear Farms Nursery & Landscaping

Joe Rewa, Hendersonville Utility District

Taylor Walker, Wilson Bank & Trust

November 12, 2019 – At the October meeting of the North Central P-16 Council, the 2019 BEST (Businesses Empowering Students and Teachers) Award winners were announced.

Susan Peach of Sumner Regional Medical Center and Forward Sumner Board of Directors member received the award for Sumner County.

The BEST Award celebrates the accomplishments of community leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. It recognizes those who share knowledge and expertise, advocate, and foster student success in Pre-K through post-secondary education.

The P-16 Council is made up of area secondary school educators, higher education leaders and business people. It is led by Volunteer State Community College. The goal of P-16 is to promote the relationship between education and the value of work, develop a highly trained workforce, and create a culture of lifelong learning by positively impacting student success through awareness, advocacy, and action.

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