Nashville Flood Recovery Continues to Gain Momentum

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A month after severe flooding left major portions of the city under water, Nashville’s business, tourism, entertainment and nonprofit communities are continuing to lead efforts to return a sense of normalcy to Tennessee’s capital city.

“Nashville is open for business, so come and see us.”

While flood relief efforts will continue for months to come for those hardest hit, the markers of progress in Nashville are widespread, and the message from both the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce to out-of-towners is clear: “Nashville is open for business, so come and see us.”

BUSINESS RESPONSE TEAM IN HIGH GEAR

Mayor Karl Dean announced details on the efforts of Nashville’s “Business Response Team,” a joint effort of the Mayor’s Office and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce that was created to facilitate business community efforts to assist businesses affected by the flood. Nashvillebusinessrecovery.org provides information for businesses looking for assistance, or looking to volunteer to help others in need.
Companies such as AT&T, Loews, Regions Bank and Waste Management International have donated funds to the Business Response Team efforts, adding to the local corporate contributions to the many flood relief efforts.
In the downtown business and tourist district, all but one of the businesses that had sustained flood damage are now back open for business, and the Wildhorse Saloon hosts a grand re-opening concert on June 4.
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center will re-open Nov. 15, in time for its A Country Christmas celebration. The company also announced that the Grand Ole Opry house will re-open Oct. 1.

MUSIC COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO LEND A HAND

Dolly Parton made a $250,000 donation to the United Way of Middle Tennessee’s flood relief program and was joined by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean at a June 3 news conference. “The music community has been sensational,” Dean said in reference to the millions of dollars raised by a number of musicians over the last several weeks.
Organizers of the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (June 10-13), held 64 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, Tenn., announced that the festival will donate up to $50,000 to Music City flood relief efforts.
Organizers of the annual CMA Music Festival, taking place June 10-13 in Nashville, have already announced that half of the proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to flood relief.
NAMM officials also unveiled various ways that the association will assist in the recovery.

IMAGINE ALL THE PEOPLE

Nashville CVB president Butch Spyridon has said the best way those outside of Nashville can help out is by continuing to visit Music City. And how’s this for a reason to take a roadtrip to Nashville: legendary former Beatle Paul McCartney will play his first-ever Nashville show at Bridgestone Arena on July 26. Tickets go on sale Monday, June 7.
The Nashville Superspeedway will contribute to flood relief in several ways at this weekend’s Federated Auto Parts 300 race, including a pre-race concert by John Rich.
Visitors to Nashville now have another intriguing option for exploring the wonders of Middle Tennessee: “Nashville’s Trace,” which launched this week. Part of the Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways program, Nashville’s Trace is a self-guided driving trail featuring 165 tourism sites in Nashville and seven counties bordering the Natchez Trace Parkway, a national park and one of Tennessee’s five National Scenic Byways.

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