“Our county's growth does not come without growth pains.”

Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson recognized that common feeling during the opening of his remarks to a crowd of more than 500 community, business and government leaders at Franklin Marriott Cool Springs.

“Often you hear residents expressing concern about growth and related increased traffic not keeping pace with the infrastructure improvements. Well, I agree,” Anderson said.

Anderson noted the complexities of funding the county's numerous road projects and a recent meeting with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and referenced Senate Bill 1080, sponsored in the Senate by Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), which would require 50 percent of collections of the real estate transfer tax to be given back to the counties – currently that tax goes to the state's general fund. The legislation also would require counties to use the funds for transportation infrastructure, schools and other nonrecurring expenses.

“Not if, but when the legislation is passed, I'm committed to earmarking 50 percent of the returned retaining fees to furtherance the issuance of TDOT projects throughout all of our county, city or county,” Anderson said, adding, “We're waiting on the governor to include it in his budget.”

Anderson noted the more than a dozen infrastructure projects in development or under construction throughout the county, but said he wants to see projects completed faster.

“I applaud the efforts that are being made, but more has to be done,” Anderson continued. “It's taken between eight and 10 years to get a road from start to finish. That's just too long. We have got to work harder to get this solved.”

Anderson spoke about the revised growth plan, something he called “an unprecedented process of collaboration between each of all of us, all seven [municipal] jurisdictions,” and said it will be critical to planning for future growth.

“Oftentimes people say, Why can't we just stop growth? We can't stop growth, and many of you in this room really don't want to stop growth, what you're talking about is traffic. What you're talking about is being bumper to bumper,” Aderson said. “We all need the businesses that come to our community.”

Anderson touted the role of tourism and the county's work to secure grants, as well as the overall stability of the county, from the state's lowest level of unemployment, to rising property values and low tax rates.

“Our economy is strong. Our housing market is strong. Our jobs are plentiful. With low unemployment, all the key indicators that all of us want to see for a business to be able to make the ends meet,” Anderson said.

He also noted ongoing projects such as the JJJ, (or triple-J) project which includes plans for the construction of both a new adult jail and juvenile detention and court facility, and spoke about the challenges of providing medical services at a profit, touching on questions about the future of Williamson Medical Center.

“I want to highlight that just as all successful and forward-thinking organizations do, Williamson Health is thoroughly and strategically planning for a strong future in our changing healthcare landscape. The board is exploring all options, including pathways to remain independent, as well as the possibility of change in ownership. No decision has been made at this time, and it's business as usual, nothing has changed,” Anderson said.

He said Williamson Health is currently in a strong financial position and added "this process is not about survival," but rather making the best choice for the future.

The event also saw the awarding of three scholarships to local graduates, Brentwood High School graduate Skylar Lokkesmoe; Ravenwood High School graduate Ben Gorokhovsky; and Page High School graduate Reeva Lalani, with several speakers noting the value of both schools and the business community to the county.

“This is what we’re building; It's not just jobs, but opportunities to come together and come home,” Williamson Inc. President and CEO Matt Largen said while recounting the experience of one Williamson County Schools student who earned an paid internship with Franklin-based Horn USA following a Manufacturing Day event which is hosted by WCS and Williamson Inc.

Anderson closed with a reaffirming of the commitment of the county's numerous elected officials ahead of the 2026 election year that will see many county seats up for reelection.

“I'm proud to stand here and tell you that our community continues to have great leaders. Do not let anyone tell you though [that] it's easy,” Anderson said. “Leaders in Williamson County would tell you the public service is deep, thought provoking, selfless, and it is very important, and like the threads that are woven into the Williamson County quilt, we are stronger together.”