MTSU’s BERC, Nashville Chamber release inaugural Middle Tennessee Business Confidence Index

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Middle Tennessee State University’s Business and Economic Research Center, today (May 6) released the inaugural Middle Tennessee Business Confidence Index, or BCI, providing a comprehensive, data-driven pulse of regional business conditions each quarter.

The first-quarter 2026 index registered 60.1 on a 0–100 scale, indicating net-positive business sentiment across Middle Tennessee. Regional reading slightly exceeds the 59 reported by the Conference Board’s CEO Confidence Index, positioning Middle Tennessee as modestly more optimistic than its national peers while facing distinct regional constraints.

Strong start with measured optimism

The report reveals that business leaders are entering 2026 with confidence in current conditions, though expectations for the future are more tempered:

Current Conditions Index: 69.5
Future Expectations Index: 60.7
Composite Index: 60.1
Survey Base: 135 regional firms across industries

“This survey gives us a timely pulse of Middle Tennessee businesses — where they see opportunity, where constraints are slowing execution, and which policy issues are shaping their decisions,” said Stephanie Coleman, president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Stephanie Coleman, president, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce — Stephanie Coleman

Dr. Murat Arik, assistant professor of management, Jones College of Business, and director of the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center — Dr. Murat Arik

She added: “What makes this effort particularly powerful is its regional focus. It captures the lived reality of our business community — from small firms to major employers — and provides a foundation for smarter, more responsive economic strategy.”

Murat Arik, director of the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center, further explained the importance of a regional snapshot of business conditions and sentiment.

“National data cannot fully capture the localized dynamics, such as housing affordability or infrastructure bottlenecks, that directly influence business decisions here in Middle Tennessee,” Arik said. “This is why a regional index matters.”

Find the BCI dashboard with detailed categories and a breakdown of results at this webpage.