NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Having a good job is so important in this tough economy, and there are a handful of local companies that have thousands on their payrolls.
I spotted a couple of lists in this week's Nashville Business Journal — the top manufacturing companies and the overall largest employers in the mid-state.
Here's a quick recap of the top three in each category.
Manufacturing companies
Nissan Americas, which employs 11,000 workers.
- Bridgestone Americas, here in Nashville with about 2800 on staff.
- The A.O. Smith Corporation , a water heater manufacturer in Ashland City with almost 2500 workers.
Top three overall largest employers in the mid-state
The largest employer on the list? Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which includes the Children's Hospital — with just more than 32,000 employees.
- Hospital giant HCA Healthcare, also with more than 27,000 on the payroll.
- The state of Tennessee — With Nashville as the state capitol, the majority of state workers are right here. More than 27,000 of them.

Music lessons for just 50 cents! A Nashville music school has been providing that to area students for over 40 years including for the city's current mayor. As a child, I always wanted to take piano lessons. I was able to for about 6 months but had to stop due to family finances. I would have loved to have had access to a program like this at the W. O. Smith Music School.
- Lelan Statom