Tag: John Ingram

Several Nashville Business Leaders Ally Themselves with Andy Ogles Challenger Courtney Johnston

Matthew Giffin
Bobby Joslin and Courtney Johnston

Several Nashville business leaders have publicly allied themselves with Nashville Metro Council Member Courtney Johnston, the Republican challenger to Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), since she announced her campaign in April.

Bobby Joslin, owner of Joslin and Son Sign Company, which has provided signs to many Nashville businesses, welcomed Johnston at an annual fish fry event on Thursday by gifting her a prominent sign, The Nashville Banner reported. Prominent Nashville and Tennessee political figures attended the event, including former Governor Bill Haslam, former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, and several current and former candidates for office representing both parties.

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Nashville SC Owner Against Neighboring Fairgrounds Speedway Rebuild Proposal

The Center Square

The owner of fellow Nashville Fairgrounds tenant Nashville SC spoke out in a letter to Nashville’s Metro Council against a deal to rebuild the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway with a 30,000-seat grandstand.

The speedway deal, expected to cost taxpayers $120 million and first be discussed by the council in July, would include $86 million in Nashville Sports Authority bonds and $34 million combined from Tennessee and Nashville’s Convention and Visitors Corporation. The Nashville CVC funds come from a Davidson County hotel tax surplus.

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Attorney: Mayor Cooper Caves and Violates the Rule of Law by Cutting Deal with Major League Soccer and John Ingram

Julie Carr

Nashville Attorney Jim Roberts who’s representing Save Our Fairgrounds joined host Michael Patrick Leahy Friday morning on The Tennessee Star Report – broadcast on Nashville’s Talk Radio 98.3 and 1510 WLAC weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. – to discuss the pending lawsuit regarding Save Our Fairgrounds and the Major Soccer League owners.

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Nashville Elite Reportedly Working Hard to Get Nashville Mayor David Briley Re-Elected

Chris Butler

  Certain members of Nashville’s elite, who have a lot at stake in the upcoming mayoral race, reportedly are working hard to prop up Nashville incumbent Mayor David Briley as he seeks another term in office. This, according to the Nashville-based NewsChannel 5 of Nashville. “Some of Nashville’s most influential business leaders gathered at the offices of billionaire John Ingram hoping to reset the mayor’s campaign as it heads to a runoff election. We watched Friday morning as Briley and his security detail arrived outside Ingram’s Belle Meade office for a meeting of Briley’s strategic finance committee. Ingram, who hosted the meeting, is also co-owner of Nashville’s new soccer team, which is the beneficiary of a $250 million development deal with the city for a new soccer stadium,” the station reported. “Briley supported that controversial stadium deal, and his administration helped push it through the Metro Council. Reports say it was those contentious negotiations that led Ingram and others to start a new political action committee called ‘A Better Nashville’ to support business friendly candidates.” As reported in June, the PAC formed to influence this year’s Metro election. Briley’s opponent in the general election, John Cooper, has questioned economic incentives, and…

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Nashville Mayoral Race Reportedly Prompts New PAC

Chris Butler

  A new Political Action Committee has reportedly formed in Nashville, and the people behind it want to use it to influence this year’s Metro election. This, according to a new article in The Tennessean. According to the website, the group consists of “several of Nashville’s business heavyweights” who want “good governance, a collaborative spirit, a pro-business mindset and visionary planning.” “The group, A Better Nashville, was registered on March 29, according to records. Filing documents list Gus Puryear  — general counsel for Asurion — as chairman and Paula Harris — chief marketing officer for Barge Design Solutions Inc.  — as treasurer,” according to The Tennessean. “The Nashville Business Journal first reported on the committee on Friday, reporting that the group has ties to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.” The Tennessean reported that John Ingram of Ingram Industries is involved with A Better Nashville. The Tennessee Star, in 2017, identified Ingram as the lead investor on a 27,500-seat soccer stadium in Nashville that would cost $250 million. This was a project former Mayor Megan Barry championed and supported. Mayor David Briley is scheduled to face off against State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, Metro Council member John Cooper and former Vanderbilt professor Carol…

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Public Meeting to Be Held Tonight on Plans for Soccer Stadium at Nashville Fairgrounds

Wendy Wilson

The board of the Nashville Fairgrounds will hold a special meeting this evening to discuss plans for a soccer stadium, and the group Save Our Fairgrounds is encouraging a large turnout. Mayor Megan Barry wants the fairgrounds to be the site for a new Major League Soccer stadium. Save Our Fairgrounds says plans for the stadium and additional soccer fields could jeopardize the flea market, race track and state fair. They might also violate the Metro Charter, the group says. The meeting will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Creative Arts Building at the fairgrounds, and will include an in-depth presentation from the MLS2 Nashville Soccer Committee. The agenda allows time for public comments. “Attending this meeting is imperative to listen to the proposal and voice your concerns about the park and stadium,” Save Our Fairgrounds said on its Facebook page. Barry has wanted to attract a Major League Soccer expansion team to Nashville and on Monday unveiled details of her plan. The 27,500-seat stadium would cost $250 million but 90 percent of its funding would come from private dollars and revenues generated at the stadium, Barry said. John Ingram would be the lead investor. Funding would come from $200…

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Nashville Mayor Megan Barry Unveils Plans for $250 Million Soccer Stadium

Wendy Wilson

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry unveiled details for a soccer stadium Monday, saying it would cost $250 million but get 90 percent of its funding from private dollars and revenues generated at the stadium. Barry announced the plans along with John Ingram, the lead investor for Nashville’s Major League Soccer expansion bid. The 27,500-seat stadium would be built at the Nashville Fairgrounds. But Rick Williams, Chairman of Save Our Fairgrounds, vows to fight the proposal, as currently structured. “I was able to watch most of Mayor Barry’s speech this afternoon and the other participants in the MLS Soccer Stadium presentation to the Metropolitan Nashville City Council. My first reaction is our government is again giving away land to developers,” Williams tells The Tennessee Star in an exclusive interview. The 10 Acres that Rich Rebling wants to give away to developers is worth 10 million dollars. Everything like this land give away that the Mayor’s administration has done in the past 2 years has cost Taxpayers over 100 million dollars in value. My other reaction is after this plan is finished, the amount of land left for a State Fair, Flea Market and the Nashville Fairgrounds Raceway will be over 1/2 less…

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