CLARKSVILLE-MONTGOMERY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT

CLARKSVILLE-MONTGOMERY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT
variety of housing options, good schools, and a strong healthcare network, will be a key to the region’s economic vitality. Quality of place is also
critical for military-dependent communities. Along with military value, the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) criteria included a
consideration of the ability of community infrastructure to “support forces, missions, and personnel.” 1
Actions:
• Actively recruit individuals and small professional services firms by marketing to relevant state and regional associations. Regular
communications with these associations should emphasize the benefits of Montgomery County as a location from which to serve local
businesses as well as those in the Greater Nashville area and beyond. If possible, join the organization to receive periodic updates on their
activities.
• Invest in quality of life amenities. The presence of a vibrant downtown, a range of housing options, and the availability of cultural and
recreational amenities are typically key considerations for these workers. Creating consensus around investments in central Clarksville and
identifying a source of funding should be a high priority (see Goal 1).
• Market CDE Lightband aggressively. The presence of a 100% fiber optic network in Clarksville with 1 gigabit symmetrical bandwidth –
roughly 1000 times faster than the average US Internet speed of 7.2 mbps 2 – could be a huge selling point for IT workers, as well as
professionals in a variety of industries.
• Consider creative approaches for providing office space, such as the development of co-working locations or the provision of lease
concessions (e.g., free or below-market rent for a specified period, build-out allowances, paid parking, or other perks). Making space
available to Nashville-area professionals to hold office hours on a trial basis could provide a first step in helping them see Montgomery
County as a viable business location.
• Continue working with the Army to facilitate the transition of Soldiers with IT skills to civilian jobs. Explore potential to provide incentives –
e.g., job matching assistance, financial compensation, lease concessions – to those willing to establish a business in the region or accept
employment in the region. Nashville’s recruiting program, Work IT, is currently working with the Army to connect retiring Soldiers with IT
jobs.
• As part of the outreach to Fort Campbell’s Retiree Services Officer recommended above, explore tools for identifying retirees with relevant
experience that may consider establishing a business in the region.
1 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission Report, September 8, 2005, page v. Accessed at
www.brac.gov/finalreport.html.
2 Akamai, The State of the Internet (4th Quarter, 2012) as reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, “U.S. Internet speed better but still lags,” published January 26, 2013 and at
ClarksvilleNow.com, “CDE Hopes Higher Speed Internet will Attract New Business to Clarksville,” posted May 23,2013. Accessed at: http://clarksvillenow.com/local/cde-hopeshigher-speed-internet-will-attract-new-business-to-clarksville/.
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