ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. (WKRN) — There’s a real sense of community among Ashland City residents.

“We have the small parades for Christmas and the Fourth of July and your homecoming parade and your senior walk for the high schools,” Anzaldua said. “It’s just that small-town feel.”

Gina Anzaldua and Josie Richard are invested in Ashland City’s success.

“It’s a great place to live and work,” Richard said.

Anzaldua and Richard run the county’s economic development and tourism department. They’re looking forward to a new project just announced this summer: to build a new port along the Cumberland River in Ashland City. It’s expected to be ready to go next year.

“Great job opportunities — over 100+ jobs, so that’s going to be amazing all in itself,” Anzaldua said. “Plus, it takes all those trucks off of our roads, which keeps the infrastructure of our roads better.”

Ashland City expects those port jobs to be a big boost, but they’re not resting on their laurels. There has also been a push to find land suitable to build an industrial park.

(Source: WKRN)
(Source: WKRN)
(Source: WKRN)
(Source: WKRN)
(Source: WKRN)
(Source: WKRN)
(Courtesy: Ashland City Government
(Courtesy: Ashland City Government)
(Courtesy: Ashland City Government)

“Having this industrial property will bring jobs to our area,” Richard said. “Having that area designated to industrial and bringing in high-paying, high-quality jobs is a benefit to all of the area and it shouldn’t be a negative look. It should be a positive thing.”

More jobs means more people. Ashland City has seen steady population growth for more than a decade. Census data shows the population grew from 4,541 to 5,689 in more than 14 years.

“We have people from California, people from Florida, people from all over,” Anzaldua said.

“Growth is going to happen, but making sure it’s growth in the right direction,” Richard said. “…We welcome positive growth to our area.”

They also value tourism, and there’s another push to find land to build a multiplex and draw in sporting events.

“That would be great for Ashland City,” Anzaldua said. “The money that would come in and generate to help the infrastructure of our downtown. That is something that we look forward to.”

Ashland City has plenty to offer and newcomers are moving in, but locals are keenly aware that keeping its rural charm is key.

“I believe we are one of the last counties to be touched by the growth of Nashville and Clarksville, so if we could just keep it that way, that’d be great,” Anzaldua said.