MusicCityLeads!

The Music City Music Council has a new superstructure and a second wind, under leadership from Mayor Karl Dean and co-chair Randy Goodman. The details are here.

Asurion expands - Embraer expanding in Nashville?

[Updated] Turns out it was Asurion's plans to add 500 jobs in Nashville that prompted Metro Nashville Karl Dean and State ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber to call a presser for this morning. The NBJ has the update. MEANwhile, we recently noted that Embraer is reported to have been considering Nashville, as well as Jacksonville and Hartford, Conn., as possible sites for assembly of Embraer's acclaimed Tucano prop-powered, close air support military aircraft. Nashville is already home to an Embraer aircraft avionics maintenance operation and home to Triumph Aerostructures Vought division.

Chamber announces N'ville economy uptick

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce today announced, "Since July 2009, announced relocations and expansions in the Nashville area have accounted for 6,988 jobs, 4.7 million square feet of space and nearly $1.7 billion in capital investment." In a release this morning, the Chamber included a statement from Mayor Karl Dean regarding his commitment to generating more Green jobs. State ECD Commissioner applauded the Chamber and Partnership 2010. Chamber President Ralph Schulz said P2010's new strategic plan for the decade (2010) will be out in June. Metro ECD Director Alexia Poe was also represented in the release, applauding Middle Tennessee' strong foundation.

NV Med Trade Center debut set

As previously reported by VNC, the Nashville Medical Trade Center's location and some details on features and timeline are to be unveiled during a media teleconference, Monday, Nov. 30, at 3 p.m. Read background on the Trade Center here.

Metro ousts State Fair

WSMV 4 (NBC) in Nashville is reporting tonight that Metro Nashville Mayor Karl Dean (at left) has decided that the Tennessee State Fair will no longer occupy a portion of the 117 acres near Bransford Avenue that is also home to a major flea market, the local roller-girls franchise and auto racing. We've long thought that the Metro's prime real estate would be a great place for a corporate sci-tech R&D and incubator campus, or a conference and exhibitions center. The mayor's decision follows a consultant's report and many years' debate.

Mayor Dean - How 'bout a Science charter school?

Charter Schools have attracted business elite and frustrated parents, alike, and with this week's expansion of state law to allow up to 20 charters in Nashville, things could get interesting. Note: An admittedly ramshackle proposal from a local professor to create a Metro science academy charter has failed three years in a row. Maybe Metro Nashville Mayor Karl Dean (left), whom the City Paper says wants to be involved in expanding charters here, will consider recruiting someone to help create a charter to rival schools in Oak Ridge, Memphis and elsewhere. [Speaking of the Mayor...the 'Nashville: Where Innovation Sings' marketing campaign proposed for the city by those Owen GSM Accelerator Business Institute students will be presented to Hizzoner at 3 p.m. today.]