Council passes small-business grant bill, delays East Bank plan amendment to Nov. 5

NASHVILLE - The Metropolitan Council on Oct. 6 passed on third reading an ordinance amending the Metro Code's chapter on small business incentive grant programs, according to the council's approved meeting minutes. The vote on BL2026-1536 was 28 to 4, with Council Members Eslick, Evans, Bradford and Benton voting no.

The minutes do not describe what the amendment changes. The same night, the council voted to defer BL2026-1567, which would approve Amendment No. 3 to the East Bank Redevelopment Plan, to its Nov. 5 meeting, and to hold a public hearing on it then.

Council members also approved RS2026-2307, authorizing grants of up to $1,392,032 from the Barnes Fund for Affordable Housing to nonprofits to rehabilitate affordable or workforce housing. The vote was 29 yes, none opposed, and two abstentions.

Source: Metropolitan Council meeting minutes, Oct. 6, 2026, https://nashville.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=1349496&GUID=D5A191DF-F8E6-47B1-A3DC-57CC9BC3187C