Don Carter sees a new face at Tee Gee's, his meat-and-three restaurant on Murfreesboro Road, just about every day. It's no wonder: More than 8,000 people have moved to La Vergne since 2000, making the city one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the nation, according to Forbes.com. The online business publication recently ranked the 100 fastest-growing suburbs based on U.S. Census numbers from 2000 to 2006, and La Vergne ranked No. 61. "Fifteen years ago, I never would have thought this would happen," said Carter, whose family-owned restaurant has been a staple in the community for 19 years. "But progress is progress, and we are fortunate to be a part of it." According to census numbers, the city's population jumped 43.9 percent over the six-year period. The population in 2000 was 18,935. In 2006, it was 27,255. The only other Tennessee city to make the list was Mt. Juliet in neighboring Wilson County. Mt. Juliet was No. 83. Its population grew 36.8 percent - from 14,160 in 2000 to 19,369 in 2006. The Forbes.com ranking doesn't surprise Carrie Smith, an administrative assistant with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. Her office is at La Vergne City Hall. "They come from as far away as California and New York. We get them from everywhere," Smith said. La Vergne's proximity to Nashville and affordable housing brought Scott and Leslie Westmoreland and their young son to town three years ago. The couple moved from Colorado to be closer to their families in Brentwood and Knoxville. They live in the Woodland Hills subdivision off Waldron Road on the west side of Interstate 24. "Even though it's a growing city, it still has that small-town feel," said Leslie Westmoreland while visiting the La Vergne Public Library with her son, a student at Rock Springs Elementary. La Vergne's location off I-24 and the availability of major resources in nearby Nashville and Murfreesboro have helped fuel the rapid growth, city officials said. The fact that the city's property tax rate is low - 50 cents per $100 of assessed value - is another attraction, said Mayor Ronnie Erwin. "Our property tax rate is what draws people to us. We have one of the lowest rates in the county, if not the state," he said. "The developers know they have a better chance of selling homes here." The numbers prove it. The city has averaged 575 residential building permits a year since 2004. So far this year, 262 permits have been issued, city officials said. La Vergne is also home to one of the largest industrial parks in the state, as well as the largest subdivision, Lake Forest Estates, with more than 3,000 homes. International companies, including Bridgestone Firestone and Ingram Book, are among the city's largest employers.
"The growth has been good for La Vergne, but it has had some rough edges with our schools," said Carter, owner of Tee Gee's. Rutherford County's school system has taken steps to alleviate overcrowding in the area by opening the $18.8 million La Vergne Lake Elementary this school year. Officials estimate the school's enrollment at 950. Before the new school opened, many of the students attended La Vergne Primary and Roy Waldron Elementary, which had a total of 32 portable classrooms, said district spokesman James Evans. La Vergne Primary had 25 portables, while Roy Waldron had seven. No portables are being used at either school this year, Evans said. "Between Roy Waldron and La Vergne Primary, we had approximately 650 to 700 students in portables," Evans said. "Typically, schools we build are designed to hold a maximum of 1,000 students, but 850 optimum. So in essence, La Vergne Lake was nearly full before we ever opened it, especially when you consider growth in students in the La Vergne area is about 10 percent from year to year." Over the past few years, La Vergne officials have been trying to lure more retail development to town, but it may take the widening of Waldron Road for that to happen. Plans call for the road to be widened to five lanes from Enterprise Drive near an I-24 exit to Murfreesboro Road. Officials hope to begin work on the $7.5 million road project in the spring. "We're trying to get caught up with our roads," said Erwin, who's been mayor since October 2006.
An average of 20,500 motorists travel Waldron Road each day, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. In 20 years, it could see as many as 46,000 vehicles. Along with an increase in traffic has come an increase in crime. There were 41 reported burglaries in La Vergne in 1990, 13 assaults, 28 auto thefts and one rape, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics. By 2006, there were 171 burglaries, 149 assaults, 69 vehicles reported stolen and seven rapes. Erwin attributes the rise in crime to the growing population. But resident Mary Ann Brewington said she feels safe in La Vergne. That was one reason she moved here in 2005 from Dallas, Ga. She lives near La Vergne High School.
"I have family in La Vergne, and I like the small-town feel. You are within 20 minutes from everything and I like that," said Brewington, a records clerk at the La Vergne Police Department. "I also wanted a town I felt safe in." La Vergne, she said, has everything a big town can offer, but without all the "hustle and bustle." "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay."
Kroger Is
A Big Hit! By Kathy Tyson
c/o Localism
La Vergne has been waiting a long time to get a major grocery store since the former Bi-Lo closed a few years ago.
We were elated to learn that Kroger was coming and when they opened earlier this month, the residents welcomed them with open arms!
This year alone we have a new Post Office, new Kroger, and a new fantastic Thai restaurant. These combined with: a new driver’s license station, new Taco Bell, and new sit-down restaurant, WillStan's Grille, makes us feel like we're finally on the upswing of economic development.
Furthermore, the city has responded to safety issues concerning the biggest subdivision in the state by opening an additional police substation. That opening is expected within the next few weeks. Good things are happening in La Vergne!
Southland Log Homesis America’s largest log home
company. Join us December 6, 9am – 4pm for Holiday Open House and help us support
“Be a Santa to a Senior”.
Please Consider Shopping Locally This Holiday Season!
