Why Nashville Is a Hub for AEC Businesses

What makes Nashville one of the fastest-rising hubs for architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms? Cranes tower over the East Bank where a $2.2 billion Titans stadium is underway, and the airport is in the middle of a $4.5 billion expansion. At the same time, Tennessee added 79,446 new residents in 2024, nearly all from net migration, stretching housing and infrastructure to their limits. The answer lies in how AEC firms are turning this explosive growth into opportunity and building the projects that keep the area moving forward.

1. Mega Projects Redefining the Skyline

What other city is building a $2.2 billion NFL stadium (opening in 2027), transforming 550 acres of riverfront and investing $4.5 billion into its airport all at the same time? The new Titans stadium anchors the East Bank redevelopment where the Fallon Company is leading the first 30-acre phase. Meanwhile, Nashville International Airport’s New Horizon program is a $3 billion expansion through 2029, bringing BNA’s total capital program since 2017 to $4.5 billion. Together, these projects guarantee years of steady work for AEC firms while reshaping how residents and visitors experience Nashville.

2. Population Growth Driving Housing and Infrastructure

How does rapid migration change a city’s construction priorities? Tennessee’s population reached 7,227,750 in July 2024, a gain of nearly 79,500 people in one year. Within the Nashville area, the population climbed to about 2.15 million residents, an increase of more than 36,000 people from 2023. To keep up, Nashville has ranked among the fastest large metros for new housing construction, permitting 7.6 housing units per 1,000 residents in 2022. This explosive growth is putting constant pressure on architects, engineers and builders to deliver housing and infrastructure at scale.

3. A Business Climate That Favors Building

Why are companies and developers drawn to Tennessee in the first place? The state has no income tax on wages, and in 2022, voters cemented right-to-work protections into the state constitution. These policies, combined with pro-growth incentives, have helped attract major corporate investments like Oracle’s planned $1.35 billion campus, which is projected to bring 8,500 jobs by 2031. For AEC firms, that means a steady flow of commercial, mixed-use and infrastructure projects that are supported by Tennessee’s business-friendly climate.

4. Building the AEC Workforce

Tennessee has committed $1.5 billion to upgrade its 27 technical colleges to expand programs in trades like welding, HVAC and construction technology. The Nashville area already employs nearly 12,000 architects and engineers and more than 40,000 construction workers, but demand continues to outpace supply. Apprenticeship programs linked to megaprojects such as Ultium’s Spring Hill plant are adding
new pathways, while average annual wages for architects in Nashville hover around
$86,735/year. By investing in education, training and apprenticeships, Nashville is building infrastructure and the skilled workforce needed to sustain its growth.

5. Healthcare and Higher Education Capital Projects

Nashville’s healthcare and education sector continues to expand to meet demand. At Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a $500 million, 15-story inpatient tower has opened, adding 180 beds and strengthening the city’s capacity to serve a growing population. In 2024, Belmont University opened the $180 million Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine, which brought a new teaching hospital facility to the city. At Tennessee State University (TSU), $250 million in state funding is fueling major campus upgrades, the largest one-time investment in TSU’s history. These capital projects keep local contractors, architects and engineers busy while reinforcing Nashville’s role as a hub for healthcare and higher education.

6. AEC Industry Events in Nashville

In 2025, Nashville proved itself as a gathering place for the AEC world. The city hosted Autodesk University, one of the industry’s flagship global conferences, drawing thousands of architects, engineers and contractors. That same year, the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Tennessee brought its Engineers’ Conference to Middle Tennessee and convened civil and structural leaders from across the state. AIA Middle Tennessee also once again spotlighted design excellence with its annual Celebration of Architecture by honoring local firms and fostering community. 

7. Advanced Manufacturing and EV Investments

Why are global battery giants choosing Tennessee and how does that fuel Nashville’s AEC boom? In Clarksville, LG Chem is investing $3.2 billion to build a cathode plant on 420 acres, set to begin mass production in 2025 and reach 120,000 tons per year by 2027—enough to power about 1.2 million EVs annually. In nearby Spring Hill, Ultium Cells, a joint venture of GM and LG, has already launched production at its $2.3 billion facility, recently expanded by $275 million to boost capacity to 50 GWh per year and create 1,700 jobs. These megaprojects don’t just bring new industry, they create steady demand for architects, engineers and contractors across the Nashville labor shed.

8. A Southern Hub for Big Firms

Nashville’s growth story isn’t just about cranes and construction. It’s also about the companies choosing to call the city home. All of the Big Four accounting firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG) and the Big Five marketing firms (WPP, Omnicom Group, Publicis Groupe, IPG and Dentsu) have offices in Nashville. This creates a competitive yet collaborative matrix that fuels business activity across the South. 

Venture capital firms, consulting offices and other major players continue to open offices in Nashville.

Bottom Line

Nashville isn’t just growing. It’s building a new identity brick by brick. Multi-billion-dollar projects, population gains of nearly 79,500 people in 2024 and a business climate designed to attract investment are fueling unprecedented demand for AEC expertise. From stadiums and airports to hospitals, universities and housing, the city offers a steady pipeline of work across every discipline. For AEC firms, the message is simple: Nashville has become one of the country’s most dynamic hubs to design, engineer and build the future.