Nashville

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Nashville with Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Nashville. Written by Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Nashville Alerts

Alert

Axios Nashville Partners

Nashville Members

Membership

DC Blox closes on property near Nashville zoo

DC Blox closes on purchase of property next to the Nashville Zoo.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DC Blox" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/26/dc-blox-presses-forward-with-nashville-data-center-plans-despite-pushback" data-vars-content-id="8ae05b50-0cb6-4fe1-9bdd-149b80867566" data-vars-headline="DC Blox closes on property near Nashville zoo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/06/26/dc-blox-presses-forward-with-nashville-data-center-plans-despite-pushback" target="_self">DC Blox</a> closed on Thursday on the purchase of the property near the Nashville Zoo where it intends to build a data center.Why it matters: The project has faced tremendous public pushback and government roadblocks, leading opponents to hope the data center firm would walk away from the deal.<ul><li>Instead, DC Blox appears to be trudging forward.</li></ul>

Tennessee has the worst quality of life in the U.S., per CNBC ranking

CNBC's rankings highlight some reasons businesses might stay away.

Business

Tennessee has the worst quality of life in the country, according to CNBC, which gave the Volunteer State an F for quality of life in its annual ranking of the best states for businesses.Why it matters: State leaders often pride themselves on making Tennessee <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="as business-friendly as possible" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/10/in-n-out-burger-expanding-corporate-office-restaurant-nashville-tennessee" data-vars-content-id="8a1428ed-7a85-4c6d-9944-7f70a0eb5124" data-vars-headline="Tennessee has the worst quality of life in the U.S., per CNBC ranking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/10/in-n-out-burger-expanding-corporate-office-restaurant-nashville-tennessee" target="_self">as business-friendly as possible</a>, but <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CNBC&#x27;s closely watched rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/americas-top-states-for-business-full-rankings.html" data-vars-content-id="8a1428ed-7a85-4c6d-9944-7f70a0eb5124" data-vars-headline="Tennessee has the worst quality of life in the U.S., per CNBC ranking" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/09/americas-top-states-for-business-full-rankings.html" target="_blank">CNBC&#x27;s closely watched rankings</a> highlight some reasons businesses might stay away.

Nashville airport getting new nonstop flights to Aruba, Virgin Islands

Things to Do

Southwest Airlines is beefing up its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="presence in Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/31/top-airlines-nashville-international-airport-bna" data-vars-content-id="c6a16f1e-fb43-4dea-9e07-8e6970595afe" data-vars-headline="Nashville airport getting new nonstop flights to Aruba, Virgin Islands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/31/top-airlines-nashville-international-airport-bna" target="_self">presence in Nashville</a> with a slate of new nonstop routes that could be the start of your next beach vacation.Why it matters: Continued growth at Nashville International Airport means <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a lot of construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/06/nashville-airport-to-close-central-core-for-construction" data-vars-content-id="c6a16f1e-fb43-4dea-9e07-8e6970595afe" data-vars-headline="Nashville airport getting new nonstop flights to Aruba, Virgin Islands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/06/nashville-airport-to-close-central-core-for-construction" target="_self">a lot of construction</a>, of course, but it is also leading to more convenient travel options for flyers.

Nashville house prices continued to climb in the first half of 2026

Nashville house prices continued to climb in the first half of 2026.

Real Estate

Home prices in the Nashville area continued to climb during the first half of 2026, and experts expect costs will stay on an upward trajectory for the foreseeable future.Why it matters: Nashville&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resilient housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/15/nashville-real-estate-trends-2026" data-vars-content-id="d4abd143-b161-44f7-9675-55431734d3fe" data-vars-headline="Nashville house prices continued to climb in the first half of 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/01/15/nashville-real-estate-trends-2026" target="_self">resilient housing market</a> is a double-edged sword that touches nearly every other aspect of city life, from business recruitment to traffic and development.<ul><li>Rising home values point toward a sturdy local economy and sustained demand.</li><li>But the same dynamic creates a punishing market for first-time buyers and residents whose wages haven&#x27;t kept up with the city&#x27;s growth.</li></ul>

University of Tennessee launches new degree in civic and constitutional thought

Program will pursue "comprehensive study of the American constitutional political tradition."

Days before the country <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celebrates its 250th birthday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/01/nashville-july-4-celebration-growth" data-vars-content-id="a02fe0c3-a65f-48a0-99e1-d8db18974d7c" data-vars-headline="University of Tennessee launches new degree in civic and constitutional thought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/01/nashville-july-4-celebration-growth" target="_self">celebrates its 250th birthday</a>, the University of Tennessee is moving forward with a new undergraduate degree in civic and constitutional thought.Why it matters: Leaders say students pursuing the degree will get a &quot;comprehensive study of the American constitutional political tradition.&quot;

After decades on the brink, Fisk University bets big on reinvention with $1B master plan

"You can't continue doing the same things over and over again," Fisk president Agenia Walker Clark says.

Fisk University has lurched from one financial crisis to another for decades, but university president Agenia Walker Clark tells Axios a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newly announced overhaul" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/14/fisk-university-1-billion-campus-plan-data-center-electricity" data-vars-content-id="b4e902b7-1fba-4044-830c-f7e72aadb3c1" data-vars-headline="After decades on the brink, Fisk University bets big on reinvention with $1B master plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/14/fisk-university-1-billion-campus-plan-data-center-electricity" target="_self">newly announced overhaul</a>, which calls for an on-campus data center, may be the beginning of a new era.Why it matters: In an interview, Clark says the $1 billion &quot;Quantum Leap&quot; plan, which has board approval and buy-in from city leaders, is intended to shift the historically Black university from survival mode into a period of growth.

Fisk University announces $1B plan to transform campus, build data center

The plan would radically change the look and feel of Nashville's oldest university.

Fisk University leaders on Thursday announced a $1 billion plan to transform the campus, anchored by the construction of a 100,000-square-foot data center and academic facility.Why it matters: The plan, dubbed &quot;Quantum Leap,&quot; would radically change the look and feel of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville&#x27;s oldest university" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/13/fisk-university-new-president-nashville" data-vars-content-id="1015312c-36d4-4c1e-8888-1614cb3c5ae9" data-vars-headline="Fisk University announces $1B plan to transform campus, build data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/13/fisk-university-new-president-nashville" target="_self">Nashville&#x27;s oldest university</a> over the next decade. It also calls for a new arena, student center and art annex.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fisk president Agenia Walker Clark" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/11/20/fisk-university-new-president-nashville-agenia-clark" data-vars-content-id="1015312c-36d4-4c1e-8888-1614cb3c5ae9" data-vars-headline="Fisk University announces $1B plan to transform campus, build data center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/11/20/fisk-university-new-president-nashville-agenia-clark" target="_self">Fisk president Agenia Walker Clark</a> said the project would be a beacon of economic opportunity for the historically Black university and the surrounding neighborhood in the 37208 ZIP code.</li></ul>

MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production

MTSU seeks to create a workforce pipeline to power film and TV productions.

Middle Tennessee State University is responding to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="influx of film and television productions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/09/9-1-1-nashville-makes-music-city-the-backdrop-for-drama-outlandish-emergencies" data-vars-content-id="bd5dbf62-457f-4c4c-bbdc-bb5d826511f8" data-vars-headline="MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/10/09/9-1-1-nashville-makes-music-city-the-backdrop-for-drama-outlandish-emergencies" target="_self">influx of film and television productions</a> coming to the Nashville area with a new academic program set to launch this fall.Why it matters: Elected officials have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="worked for years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/06/10/metro-nashville-entertainment-industry-debate" data-vars-content-id="bd5dbf62-457f-4c4c-bbdc-bb5d826511f8" data-vars-headline="MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/06/10/metro-nashville-entertainment-industry-debate" target="_self">worked for years</a> to build the region&#x27;s film production bona fides. The MTSU program seeks to create a workforce pipeline that can power those productions.

Shrinking lottery revenue pinches HOPE scholarship

There are options to fill the funding gap. But at a point, cuts will be required.

Education

Lottery revenue that has funded college scholarships in Tennessee for decades is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shrinking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/01/lottery-sidelined-tennessee-scholarship-plan" data-vars-content-id="f36de4bf-d504-4804-9d56-7d2f3bdc68a9" data-vars-headline="Shrinking lottery revenue pinches HOPE scholarship" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/05/01/lottery-sidelined-tennessee-scholarship-plan" target="_self">shrinking</a>, and it could require painful cuts in the years ahead.Why it matters: Tennessee&#x27;s HOPE scholarship and other financial aid options backed by lottery revenue have made college more affordable for hundreds of thousands of students.<ul><li>A funding shortfall could mean students get less help.</li></ul>

Nashville's college-educated population surges

Nashville was one of the top 20 metros with the fastest-growing attainment rates.

The share of Nashville adults <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="with a bachelor&#x27;s degree" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/19/tennessee-college-enrollment-high-school-seniors" data-vars-content-id="bd55175e-1054-4ecf-93ea-3400b02651aa" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s college-educated population surges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/19/tennessee-college-enrollment-high-school-seniors" target="_self">with a bachelor&#x27;s degree</a> or higher has surged in the last decade, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" data-vars-content-id="bd55175e-1054-4ecf-93ea-3400b02651aa" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s college-educated population surges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" target="_blank">new census data</a>.Why it matters: A rising share of college-educated adults can reshape the area&#x27;s workforce and build economic muscle. A highly educated population can also be attractive to companies looking to relocate.

Data shows a college education is tied to income growth in Nashville

Nashvillians with bachelor's or advanced degrees earn substantially more than those without

College remains a gateway to higher pay in Nashville and beyond, an analysis of federal data shows.Why it matters: The earnings data stands in stark contrast with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new national polling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/14/college-jobs-gallup-ai" data-vars-content-id="05074c6c-8e9c-4e94-bfa4-c29dbb689453" data-vars-headline="Data shows a college education is tied to income growth in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/14/college-jobs-gallup-ai" target="_self">new national polling</a> that shows Americans of all political stripes are much less likely to think of higher education is &quot;very important.&quot;

Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump "compact"

Requirements include a five-year tuition freeze and caps on international student enrollment.

The White House is asking Vanderbilt University to embrace President Trump&#x27;s views on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gender" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/trump-funding-schools-transgender-children" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/trump-funding-schools-transgender-children" target="_self">gender</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="admissions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/trump-expands-race-probe-college-admissions" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/07/trump-expands-race-probe-college-admissions" target="_self">admissions</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/02/04/trump-campus-free-speech-gaza" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/02/04/trump-campus-free-speech-gaza" target="_self">free speech</a> in exchange for federal funding benefits.Why it matters: Vanderbilt is one of nine institutions to get the request, which was reported by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wall Street Journal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/trump-universities-compact-federal-funds-agreement-df158493?st=XYXgWn&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/trump-universities-compact-federal-funds-agreement-df158493?st=XYXgWn&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" target="_blank">Wall Street Journal</a> and other outlets. Ten-page letters sent to those colleges lay out a &quot;compact&quot; of policies institutions can adopt to get priority access to funding and officials.<ul><li>The requirements include a five-year tuition freeze, caps on international student enrollment, and strict definitions of gender for bathrooms and sports, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the AP" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/trump-political-agenda-colleges-federal-money-756407729a3b16c7bb51564d5056084c" data-vars-content-id="e3f6be8e-c5ae-4efd-b51a-ef7f3a3247c3" data-vars-headline="Vanderbilt among nine universities asked to agree to Trump &quot;compact&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-political-agenda-colleges-federal-money-756407729a3b16c7bb51564d5056084c" target="_blank">per the AP</a>.</li></ul>

Tennessee technical colleges getting $1.5 billion facelift

Construction projects are reshaping Tennessee's technical colleges.

A new building taking shape on White Bridge Road is part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive effort" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/13/tennessee-technical-colleges-upgrade-billion" data-vars-content-id="6c01c1ce-c611-4914-8af5-1722f0b12efd" data-vars-headline="Tennessee technical colleges getting $1.5 billion facelift" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/02/13/tennessee-technical-colleges-upgrade-billion" target="_self">massive effort</a> to revitalize Tennessee&#x27;s technical colleges.Why it matters: Technical colleges educate nurses, mechanics and electricians. But classes often take place in outdated buildings that were built in the 1960s and 1970s.<ul><li>Administrators say upgrades underway now will boost capacity and weave in technology that better prepares students for the workplace.</li></ul>

Tennessee college-going rate dips, but enrollment numbers vary widely

A closer look shows different realities in different parts of the state.

In Tennessee, the share of public high school seniors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heading to college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/10/tennessee-college-enrollment-improves" data-vars-content-id="e184b5ae-70d4-4f01-bfc1-5ef58acaaa41" data-vars-headline="Tennessee college-going rate dips, but enrollment numbers vary widely" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/07/10/tennessee-college-enrollment-improves" target="_self">heading to college</a> last year varied widely depending on where they lived.Why it matters: The discrepancy in college enrollment across the state points to significant factors driving students&#x27; decisions, particularly family income.

Education 📚

University of Tennessee launches new degree in civic and constitutional thought

After decades on the brink, Fisk University bets big on reinvention with $1B master plan

Fisk University announces $1B plan to transform campus, build data center

MTSU launches new MFA for film and TV production

Shrinking lottery revenue pinches HOPE scholarship