A resolution set to be considered at Tuesday night’s meeting of the Metro Nashville Council opposing The Boring Company’s Music City Loop project has drawn scrutiny from the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, which warns that such heavy opposition to the project from public officials will discourage other companies from choosing to do business in the Volunteer State.
The resolution, RS2025-1712, formally declares the council’s opposition to the underground transit system between downtown Nashville and Nashville International Airport being developed by The Boring Company, the tunneling company founded by Elon Musk.
Sponsored by Council Member at-large Delishia Porterfield (pictured above), the measure cites concerns over safety, labor practices, environmental and geological risks, and what it describes as a lack of meaningful engagement with Nashville residents and the Metro Council.
The resolution also criticizes the company’s decision to partner primarily with state officials rather than seeking formal approval or briefings through the full council.
Furthermore, the resolution points to allegations involving subcontractor payment disputes and references past safety violations reported at the company’s Las Vegas operations. It also raises concerns about Nashville’s limestone and karst geology, including sinkhole and flooding risks, arguing that extensive environmental and engineering reviews have not been made public.
In addition to declaring opposition, the resolution calls on The Boring Company to participate in public briefings before the full council, release environmental and safety studies for independent review, demonstrate compliance with fair labor standards, and provide contingency plans in the event the project is delayed or abandoned.
The measure also references pending state legislation that would create a centralized state authority to oversee subterranean transportation projects.
The legislation, sponsored in the Tennessee Senate by Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and in the House by State Representative Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville), would establish the Subterranean Transportation Infrastructure Coordination Authority to streamline permitting and regulatory oversight for underground transit systems.
The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce said the Metro Council’s resolution sends a troubling signal to the broader business community.
In a statement released Tuesday, the chamber urged council members to vote against the resolution or defer it to allow continued dialogue among Metro departments, the O’Connell administration, and project stakeholders.
The chamber emphasized that the Music City Loop represents a major private financial commitment and an opportunity to address regional transportation challenges without direct taxpayer funding. It warned that publicly condemning the company and its leadership could discourage future investment and innovation in Nashville and across Tennessee.
“In one of the country’s fastest-growing regions that is competing fiercely for talent, investment, and quality jobs, mobility is a core economic driver. Strategic infrastructure investments and innovative partnerships are essential to sustaining long-term growth and regional competitiveness,” the chamber said.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Background Photo “Boring Company Construction” by Boring Company.
