Chamber and P2020 Annual Meeting Presents a Bold Vision for Middle Tennessee's Future

In 2016, the Chamber's Partnership 2020 initiative launched an ambitious new five-year regional economic development strategy that will sustain Middle Tennessee's momentum over the next half-decade. This new strategy focuses on three key economic drivers for the region: recruiting new companies and helping existing ones expand; investing in workforce and talent development; and maintaining our quality of life.

At our Annual Meeting on Sept. 30, we were excited to share the results of our economic development efforts in 2015-2016:

• 137 announced relocations or expansions
• 12,137 new jobs announced
• $2.7 billion new capital investment
• 8.0 million new square footage of space to be occupied

Over the 26-year history of the Partnership, we have achieved some truly remarkable results by working with business leaders and elected officials throughout Middle Tennessee. Since P2020 formed in 1990, we have celebrated:

• More than 425,000 new jobs created by expansion and relocation of companies to the region
• A per capita income growth of nearly 150 percent - approximately $48,000
• More than 185 percent population growth - more than 1.8 million people now call Middle Tennessee home

View the full Chamber and Partnership 2020 annual report here.

Also at our Annual Meeting, we heard from keynote speaker Dr. Ron Goetzel of Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. Goetzel's presentation focused on the connection between health and worker productivity.

The U.S. spends more per capita on health care than any other nation, yet our country has one of the unhealthiest populations in the world. Only 3 percent of Americans maintain a healthy body weight, exercise at least 30 minutes daily, eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and don't smoke. Goetzel reported a CDC estimate that up to 80 percent of diseases and disorders could be significantly reduced if more people committed to eating well and exercising regularly.

Lifestyle choices such as obesity, tobacco use, lack of exercise and poor nutrition are linked to a variety of serious medical conditions such as depression, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke and COPD. If executed well, Goetzel said, workplace wellness programs can have a positive impact on these types of health behaviors. Goetzel added that employees whose health risks prevent them from fully contributing to their jobs have a negative impact on their employers' bottom lines.

View Goetzel's full presentation here.