Have It All In Jackson, TN

Maintaining a small-town feel, Jackson, TN, boasts a friendly community and a wealth of worthwhile opportunities.

By Kim Madlom on August 9, 2023

Located in the heart of West Tennessee with just over 68,000 residents, Jackson is a welcoming community that combines small-town charm and big-city amenities.

The cost of living in Jackson is affordable, and the city boasts excellent schools, health care facilities and a thriving economy with diverse job opportunities. There are also plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking and fishing at Cypress Grove Nature Park and Beech Lake.

Jackson has several art galleries as well as The Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center, which hosts exhibitions, concerts and theatrical performances. The Jackson Symphony Orchestra performs regularly, and the Jackson Theatre Guild puts on a variety of plays. The AMP, an outdoor music venue, is a popular destination for live music events and festivals.

“Life in Jackson is good,” says Mark Cancia, captain of the Salvation Army, who accepted his post in Jackson in 2020. “There’s a great sense of community in Jackson.”

Cancia is a member of the Leadership Jackson Alumni Association and the Rotary Club and serves on the Greater Jackson Chamber Board of Directors.

“The people are friendly and supportive of events, organizations and each other. There is so much philanthropy here, and many people are willing to give their time and resources to help each other and the community. We have people and businesses willing to fund projects and people with ‘boots on the ground’ willing to do the work. That’s a collaboration that keeps this community moving forward.”

Cancia says the short commutes are a bonus.

“You can get anywhere in the city in 14 minutes, which is nice,” he says.

Natives and Newcomers

Greg Alexander also appreciates the ease of getting around in Jackson and the quality of life.

“We live in the center of the city,” Alexander says. “We can be anywhere within minutes, regardless of the time of day. There are no long waits in traffic or long commutes to work or the grocery. We can be at McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport and hop a flight to Atlanta, arriving about two hours from the time we left our home, ready to catch a flight anywhere in the world.”

Alexander is a native of Savannah, Tennessee, and has called Jackson home since 1996. He met his wife in 2000 and started a business in 2012 on the Gulf Coast of Florida with the expectation of moving to the beach one day.

“Ten-plus years later, that business is still thriving, but I spend most of my time in Jackson as I find myself not wanting to leave,” he says.

In 2022, Alexander acquired VIP Jackson, a social magazine showcasing philanthropic, social, business, civic and community events. He is past president of the Rotary Club and president-elect of the Jackson Symphony. He has served on committees for the Jackson Country Club, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Greater Jackson Chamber, among others.

“We love the farmers’ market,” Alexander says. “We are regular attendees of the AMP. We are supporters and attendees of The Jackson Symphony. We spend time weekly at The Jackson Country Club. The McWherter Center (known by locals as “The Ned”) has wonderful theater productions.”

Jennifer Lopes was surprised to find such a thriving arts and culture scene in Jackson when she moved to the city less than a year ago to accept the position of vice president of academic affairs at Jackson State Community College.

“I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to learn about The Ned, the Jackson Symphony, the AMP and all the local support for the arts and culture,” she says. “I especially love the live music in town. The growth in industry in West Tennessee is bringing many new career opportunities to Jackson, and Jackson is investing in educational programs and experiences to ensure Jacksonians are ready and qualified for these jobs. Every day, I experience partnerships and collaboration between community stakeholders that make Jackson such a special place.”

Lopes likes the small-town feel of Jackson.

Made By Music

Music is a key part of the city’s vibrancy and foundation. In fact, Jackson is the home of the great Carl Perkins, king of rockabilly, whose hit songs included “Blue Suede Shoes.” Jackson’s rich music heritage includes blues, R&B, country and rock – genres still playing throughout the city on stages, in studios and even a downtown tavern and a coffeehouse.

Two recording studios continue to provide professional space and services to successful and aspiring musicians and vocalists.

Jaxon Recording Studio and Jaxon Records are owned by partners Jimmy Exum, a Jackson native, and Larry Rogers, from nearby Savannah.

New York- and Jackson-based No Reverse Records is a full-service record label moving independent artists of all genres forward in process and product. Owners Mitchell Walker and Ashley Kate Adams decided to open the Jackson location of their studio after collaborating with Grammy nominee Lauren “LoLo” Pritchard and making music in the city. The duo says they were inspired “by the rich history of music in Jackson – one of the truest music cities in all of Tennessee and America.”

Another Generation of Talent

Catbird Studio is a new venture known for offering concerts, workshops and other events, and creating a space for local artists and musicians to gather.

“The arts scene is thriving here for sure,” says Suzanne Gillis, owner of Catbird Studio, which opened its doors in late 2022 and is already looking at expansion.

Gillis is a photographer who knew she wanted to create a space to pursue and share her talent, and invite other artists and the community to do the same. “It’s really a one-stop shop for creativity,” Gillis says of Catbird Studio.

A popular destination, every event hosted at Catbird has sold out.

In addition, the Jackson Theatre Guild was founded in 1965 and launched its first production, “The Sound of Music,” from the stage of Jackson Junior High. Today, the Jackson Theatre Guild’s performances are held at The Ned and continue to attract lively audiences.