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Two retail‑recruitment firms pitch to Nolensville; commissioners pause selection while sewer, zoning questions remain
Summary
The Board heard hour‑long interviews from The Retail Coach and Retail Strategies. Both firms proposed data‑driven recruitment plans but commissioners repeatedly flagged the town’s sewer‑capacity moratorium and pending zoning changes as reasons to delay awarding a contract.
Two retail‑recruitment firms presented competing strategies to the Nolensville Board of Commissioners on Oct. 30 as the town weighs whether to hire outside help to attract retailers and restaurants.
Victor (speaker 4) introduced Kyle Cofer (speaker 9) of The Retail Coach, who described a data‑driven program that includes a 30–45‑day analytics phase and targeted prospecting for national, regional and local tenants. "Within the first 30 days, if we have a chance to work with you, we will be in the market," Cofer said, adding his firm typically works on 12‑month engagements while teeing up multi‑year prospects.
Lacey Beasley (speaker 11), president of Retail Strategies, offered a similar sequencing: market analytics, boots‑on‑the‑ground property assessments and a retail recruitment plan around day 90. She said the firm uses the same software retailers use for sales projections and provides ongoing stakeholder outreach and quarterly updates.
Both presenters said they can prospect while the town is under a sewer‑capacity constraint and stressed that parts of the work (market analytics and tenant outreach) can be productive before ground‑up development begins. Cofer noted he routinely works in markets with temporary development constraints and said he would coordinate timelines with staff and brokers; Beasley said some forms of work can proceed even if new approvals are delayed.
Commissioners praised both proposals but raised repeated caveats about timing. Several members pointed to a current sewer‑capacity moratorium (staff reported the town is about 80 percent of capacity), and others said the town’s zoning ordinance is under revision. "The two key items that I continue to have concern about ... are timing," the mayor (speaker 3) said, urging caution on large appropriations until sewer and zoning uncertainties resolve.
Board members proposed multiple options: postpone selection until the budget process in January–February, authorize a smaller one‑year engagement, or select a preferred proposer now and delay contracting until timing is clearer. Staff advised there is no expiration on the statements of qualifications but recommended commissioners consider whether to move forward during the budget cycle or to allow a multi‑month hold while the sewer and zoning issues are resolved.
No contract award was made at the work session. The board asked staff to return with options for timing and contract length and to include the item on a future agenda once the board has had time to weigh the sewer and zoning developments.
