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Nashville Makes List Of Hottest Cities In 2016

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Business Insider magazine named Nashville as one of the cities to watch in 2016 when it comes to business.

Nashville is one of the magazine's 13 hottest cities in 2016, after the region has a very successful year.

"Nashville has a banner year in 2015," said Ralph Schulz, president of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

The magazine said Nashville is known for country music, but the city has much more to offer than that. According to the article the region's health care and automotive industries will boom in the new year.

"But you're also going to see growth in other sectors like logistics, and supply chain. You'll see it in music and creative," Schulz explained.

Early indicators show the growth will not slow down when the calendar changes to the new year.

"We expect to see a net job growth of 30,000, or more jobs, really kind of a minimum of 30,000 jobs," Schulz said. 

Unlike in the past, employers are now looking to areas where the workforce is already in place. It is estimated 65 people move to the greater Nashville region each day.

"Nashville is a great place to live, that attracts people to move here, and those people who are moving here are helping provide that workforce that creates jobs," according to Schulz.

But Schulz said we need to work on several growth issues to ensure the region can keep its momentum going.

"I think this time next year we'll be talking about another banner year for Nashville's economy. But we will have needed to make progress on this other issues, like transit and education, to keep that momentum up," Schulz said.

Arnold's Country Kitchen is one of this year's success stories. The popular restaurant has been a Nashville staple for three decades and it is expanding.

The original location on 8th Avenue South is currently under construction so it can accommodate the growing demand for its Southern specialties.

"It'll be twice the capacity, at least. We're still trying to figure that one out," said owner Rose Arnold.

The family opened its second location Monday in Green Hills. It is located inside the Retired Teachers Apartment Tower. There was a line out the door during its first lunch hour at the new location.