Jamie Clary, Mayor, City of Hendersonville

In an interview with Invest:, Jamie Clary, mayor of the city of Hendersonville, highlighted the importance of community involvement in projects like Heritage Park, the city’s unique sales tax strategy, and what makes the city stand out for businesses and residents. “The combination of natural beauty and practical infrastructure creates a balanced environment for both work and leisure, making Hendersonville a standout destination in the region,” he said.

Is there a milestone or two that stand out for your office over the past year regarding the city’s growth and development?

Among the standouts is Hendersonville Medical Center, which has been here for over 40 years. We continue to see major investment from healthcare companies in Hendersonville. St. Thomas has established a facility here, and Vanderbilt, along with TOA, dermatologists, and several medical specialists, have also invested in the area. Hendersonville Medical Center is now expanding for the third time in four years. This is significant because it ensures that our residents can have nearly all their healthcare needs met locally.

What is the long-term plan for Heritage Park’s development, and how do you see it raising the quality of life for residents?

Heritage Park will be a passive park, meaning it will not include ball fields or regular practices. It will cater to those who enjoy hiking, picnicking, or hosting small events. The park will also feature a mountain bike trail. Despite these additions, the park will maintain its natural aura. This project is substantial, and while working with a state grant requires navigating some challenges, the end result will be a unique park unlike any other in Hendersonville.

What is the importance of community involvement and support as you move forward in accommodating growth?

Community involvement is crucial. For example, the community played a significant role in acquiring Heritage Park. A 501(c)(3) organization was established to purchase half of the park, which consists of two separate parcels. The community’s support not only enhances Hendersonville’s appeal but also drives property values and, consequently, property tax revenues. Increased tax revenues enable the city to provide more and better services, creating a positive feedback loop as more people are drawn to the area.

Can you share the reasoning behind Hendersonville’s reduced sales tax and how the city plans to make up for any shortfalls in tax revenue?

Last year, the citizens of Hendersonville voted to increase the local sales tax by half a percent. The referendum specified that the revenue would be used for improvements in parks, infrastructure, paving, and public safety. However, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen decided to request a reduction in the sales tax rate on groceries. The state approved this request, making Hendersonville the first city to have a lower local sales tax rate on groceries compared to other items. 

On a broader level, is there any legislation at either the local or state level that you are following, and what would be the expected impacts?

There is a whole group of state legislation that involves zoning decisions that cities currently handle. There seems to be an effort among some state legislators, and this is the case in every state, to pull back some of the authority of cities when it comes to zoning. A lot of that is in the name of affordable housing. The problem I have is that, at the end of the day, decisions on how big a lot should be for a house, how much drainage surface is needed, how much pervious versus impervious drainage surface is required, all very technical and boring but essential stuff, what commercial buildings should look like, how much parking is required, and so on, need to be made by local folks who feel the consequences of those decisions. That whole group of legislation, which we have seen a greater interest in over the past several years, scares us because of decisions such as local zoning being taken away from the local governing bodies.

When people move to Hendersonville, they appreciate the quality of the aesthetics we have, the quality of infrastructure, and the quality of life. A lot of that is maintained by our zoning and our code expectations. We repeatedly tell people what our long-term plan is, and how that impacts them and their neighborhoods. So, when you invest in Hendersonville, we are telling you what is going to happen in your neighborhood and the rest of the city. It scares me to think that I might have to go back and tell people that we cannot live up to that part of our agreement because the state has taken that authority away from us.

What are the biggest challenges Hendersonville is facing, and how does that relate to what is happening in the wider economy?

When I get together with other mayors in Sumner County across Middle Tennessee, our time is increasingly taken up by conversations about trash. That is a growing problem, and there are no easy solutions to that. We are looking at all sorts of possibilities, but our options continue to dwindle.

What makes Hendersonville stand out compared to other cities in Middle Tennessee?

One of the key features that sets Hendersonville apart is Old Hickory Lake. The city is surrounded on three sides by the lake, which provides a unique blend of business locations, residential properties, and parks along the waterfront. The combination of natural beauty and practical infrastructure creates a balanced environment for both work and leisure, making Hendersonville a standout destination in the region.

What is your outlook for the Middle Tennessee economy overall for the next two to three years?

The Middle Tennessee economy is solid. We are still seeing that people want to live here, and that people want to bring their businesses here. A lot of that has to do with the tax structure of Tennessee, and that is helpful, especially in attracting businesses. When I look at growth, to me, that is really in two categories, the first is business growth, and the second is residential growth. The business growth pays for itself and more than for itself. Residential growth does not do that so much. So, business growth is imperative for Middle Tennessee and Hendersonville because the property taxes they pay, as well as the nexus they provide for sales tax, are crucial. I see the outlook for Middle Tennessee continuing where it is right now. The state has good governance in place, and the mayors among the cities and counties around Middle Tennessee understand their role and seem to be, for the most part, making solid operational business decisions.