Corporations Want Williamson: Relocating HQ in Search of "Better Business Climate"

Williamson County — immediately to the south of Davidson County and downtown Nashville — has been rapidly looking north in recent years, thanks to its attractiveness for the relocation of major corporate headquarters.

According to the Nashville Business Journal, more than 20 headquarters have made their way into the greater Nashville area, many of which have chosen Williamson County as their destination. That brings the county’s portfolio to more than 40 corporations — including Mars Petcare, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan and Tractor Supply — which call the county home, and In-N-Out Burger announced last year that it plans to bring a corporate hub to the county’s central neighborhood of Franklin.

Research from commercial real estate adviser CBRE pointed to the Nashville area as ranking among the top U.S. markets for corporate relocations, and CBRE managers Katie Oliveira and Brian Allen highlighted several factors driving Williamson County’s appeal at a recent event.

Leading the way was the county’s business-friendly atmosphere — especially with the state having no state income tax. That “better business climate” was especially popular among the surveyed companies who relocated from California to Williamson County within the past five years.

Allen also noted the area’s highly-skilled workforce, while Oliveira pointed to the available inventory of high-quality office space.

“Almost 40% of the Class A [office space] supply in the Greater Nashville area, including downtown, exists in this market. I think that that is a really good starting point,” Oliveira continued. She also added that companies value sites that combine pre-existing office space with additional land, offering the potential for expansion and large-scale campus construction.

That combination was precisely the draw for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which earlier this month announced plans to expand in Williamson County at the former site of an AT&T data center. The acquisition comprises both a 43-acre property and a 347,500-square-foot building, and Vanderbilt is currently crafting plans for redeveloping the site.

Finally, Allen acknowledged the quality of Nashville International Airport and its appeal to visitors – an impression that will only strengthen in the midst of the multibillion-dollar BNA Vision expansion project.

With so many positive elements on its roster, Williamson County has blossomed into an extremely attractive home for brands. In tandem with the city of Nashville, the allure shines brightly for another brand — Major League Baseball — to build its presence in Music City.