WSMV Channel 4 Leaders say study shows impact of black history museum

For nearly five years, there have been plans for a black history museum in Nashville, but some have wondered whether the $47 million project is worth the investment.

Now, a new study reveals what kind of impact the museum might have.

It promises to be unlike anything Nashville or the rest of the nation has seen - a museum focused solely on black music.

"Fifty different genres. Jazz, rock and roll, blues, gospel, you name it," museum executive director Paula Roberts said.

Roberts knows plenty of people doubt the $47 million project planned for the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Jefferson Street will be able to sustain itself.

But she hopes a new economic impact study proves it is worth the investment.

"It allows us to show the project is sustainable and viable, and that it's not going to suck money out of the community but be a driver for new funds into the area," Roberts said.

HVS, the group that conducted a study on the Music City Center, found the National Museum of African-American Music would generate roughly $9 million a year in revenue and bring about 130,000 new visitors each year to Nashville. In addition, it would create around 100 permanent jobs.

"Over 25 years, that's $166 million that the city can expect in new dollars coming to the area because of the museum," Roberts said.

Museum leaders hope to break ground sometime next year, but they say they are not ready to reveal how much money they have raised, only saying they are close to a big milestone.

The city has committed $10 million and the state has given $500,000 plus the land.

Leaders with the project are hoping they can use the results of the study to bring more people on board with the project, which in turn could lead to more fundraising.

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