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IDB approves up to $5 million state pass‑through grant for Rock Nashville live‑production campus
Summary
The Industrial Development Board approved three grant documents on May 14 to pass state funds through the IDB to Rock Nashville Properties LLC for a planned 55‑acre live‑production campus in Whites Creek; developers project roughly $150 million in capital investment and about 500 jobs at build‑out.
NASHVILLE — The Industrial Development Board on May 14 approved grant agreements that will allow state funds to be passed through the IDB to Rock Nashville Properties LLC to build a live‑event production campus in the Whites Creek area.
The board approved three documents: a grant agreement from the state to the IDB, a grant agreement between the IDB and Rock Nashville Properties LLC, and an accountability agreement among the state, IDB and the developer. Metro Legal told the board it had reviewed the documents and found them routine.
The campus, promoted by Rock Lititz and partner firms, is planned as a 55‑acre site with roughly 609,000 square feet of production space, two large production rehearsal arenas and 13 rehearsal studios branded in part as Soundcheck. Representatives told the board their modeling anticipates about $150 million in capital investment, roughly $30 million in annual salaries and about 500 long‑term jobs located on campus. The developer also said about 35 firms would locate on the campus to serve touring productions and technical crews.
"This will put us in an extremely competitive place in the live entertainment production world," said a state representative describing the project’s role in attracting touring and large‑scale live events to the region.
The state grant under consideration is a pass‑through and, under state law, those funds must be approved by the IDB even though they are not Metro‑operated dollars. Metro Legal confirmed the grant paperwork met requirements; the board then voted to approve the contracts. The motion passed, and the chair recorded an abstention.
Workforce and community engagement were highlighted by project speakers: Rock Lititz has existing training programs (branded locally as Rockbox and an Academy of Live Technology) and officials said they will coordinate with Metro Nashville Public Schools and local training providers to create pathways into technical and production trades.
The developers told the board they anticipate a phased schedule and estimated an opening in November of the year stated in the meeting materials; they asked to be kept informed of IDB and Metro outreach so they can include the board and elected officials in a future opening event.
The IDB vote authorized acceptance and passage of the state grant (not to exceed $5,000,000) and approval of the accountability and related agreements. Metro staff said the arrangement ensures the IDB serves solely as a pass‑through for state funds rather than as a Metro appropriation.
