Did you see the news from last night? More than 30 Metro Council members sided with Stand Up Nashville and delivered a letter to Nashville Soccer Holdings stating that they want a strong, equitable, and inclusive Community Benefits Agreement before they vote on MLS development!
The $275 million stadium planned for the Fairgrounds is about more than just soccer. A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is needed to make sure that these are good jobs & economic benefits are shared equitably, & the community has a seat at the table.
It doesn’t take a PhD in economics to understand that the “It City” boom hasn’t created opportunities for all Nashvillians. Just ride through J.C. Napier Homes. You’ll see that in spite of unprecedented growth, working-class communities of color have yet to prosper from it.
This legislation would take practical steps toward transforming our city into a place where all residents have a chance to fully participate in and contribute to Nashville’s economic development and prosperity. This simply is not the case right now.
In front of a packed boardroom, Jackie Sims and Anne Barnett presented Stand Up Nashville’s vision for how the airport expansion can be used to create good jobs and fight poverty in Nashville.
Sixty intrepid souls braved torrential rains and tornado warnings to discuss how the $1.2 billion airport expansion could be used to uplift North Nashville and other designated Promised Zones throughout the city.
Nashville’s airport, BNA, is the fastest growing airport in the country. It’s getting a $1.2 billion dollar investment to expand, which will create hundreds of new jobs. Will these be good, family sustaining jobs?
“A great city can grow without these preventable deaths,” said Stand Up Nashville spokesperson Odessa Kelly.
As property values rise in the growing city, residents are being pressured to sell their homes. Rising rent and forced evictions due to rapid development are just a few of challenges facing low-income Nashvillians.
Many residents believe in growth, however, it has pushed out vulnerable residents who are either forced to the edges of Davidson County or must find affordable housing options in neighboring counties.
We will tirelessly and courageously fight injustice and organize our community to take action.
