November 7, 2025

Written By michael gray

3 Things to Know This Week

1. Major local employer closure impacts 114 jobs

  • On October 31, news broke that Dexter Stamping Company, LLC — located at 1800 Joe B. Jackson Parkway in Murfreesboro — permanently closed its facility, affecting approximately 114 employees.

  • The company had operated for more than 50 years as part of the automotive supply chain. It filed notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development on Oct. 29.

  • The Northern Middle Workforce Development Board has been notified to assist displaced workers.

  • Why it matters: A closure of this size in Murfreesboro signals a ripple effect for local employment, workforce support services, and secondary businesses that depended on the facility. It underscores the importance of workforce transition planning and economic diversification.

2. Large drug bust leads to arrest of fugitive wanted from Wisconsin

  • On Nov. 6, the Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) arrested a man wanted out of Wisconsin following an investigation at a local Walmart on Old Fort Parkway. Inside a camper in the parking lot, detectives found approximately 10 pounds of marijuana, methamphetamine, mushrooms, and drug paraphernalia.

  • The suspect was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for evaluation; drug-charges and federal fugitive warrants are being pursued.

  • Why it matters: This operation highlights ongoing drug‐enforcement activity in Murfreesboro and the city’s role as a hub in broader regional investigations. It also points to concerns about public safety, vehicle / camper monitoring, and retail‐parking-lot vulnerability.

3. Public Hearings set for annexation and zoning changes on Nov. 6

  • Ordinance 25‑OZ‑34 and Resolution 25‑R‑PSA‑34 — concerning a proposed annexation of territory adjacent to city boundaries and the associated Plan of Services.

  • Ordinance 25‑OZ‑35 — which would rezone a parcel currently designated Commercial Highway (CH) and Gateway Design Overlay One (GDO-1) to Planned Commercial Development (PCD) and keep the GDO-1 overlay.

  • Ordinance 25‑OZ‑36 — proposes rezoning an area from Residential Multi-Family Sixteen (RM-16) to Highway Commercial (CH) district.

  • Why it matters: These hearings mark important steps in the city’s controlled growth strategy. Annexation and rezoning shape infrastructure demands, service delivery (water, sewer, roads), and the mix of residential vs commercial land use. Community stakeholders should weigh in now since this is early in the process.

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City Council & Governance: Oct. 31 – Nov. 6

Council Activity & Governance Notes

  • On Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, the City of Murfreesboro published a notice of public hearings scheduled for the City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall (111 West Vine Street). The agenda includes the annexation and zoning items above.

  • A Facebook post from the City (“Public Comment Opportunity…”) reminded citizens that the public comment periodopens at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the formal meeting.

  • No major vote bulletins were listed publicly during the week aside from the hearing notices. However, the agenda signals the city’s focus on land-use decisions and service planning.

Policy / Administrative Highlights

  • • On Nov. 5, a post noted the November edition of “In the City” will feature the upcoming ground-breaking of the Buc‑ee’s travel center and a ribbon-cutting for the “Journey Home” project. • On Oct. 28, the city issued an alert regarding violations at the Middle Point Landfill: new Clean Air and Clear Water violations due to leachate entering dry run-off ditches.

  • These communications reflect ongoing priorities: infrastructure/land use, environmental oversight, and economic development.

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Planning & Development

  • The public hearing items noted above (Ordinances 25-OZ-34, 35, 36) suggest planning staff are advancing annexation and rezoning proposals. Residents in the affected zones may expect planning documents, maps, and staff reports to become available in coming weeks.

  • The city’s environmental oversight of Middle Point Landfill, as noted in the city news feed, signals increased attention on industrial operations and compliance with state regulations.

  • The closure of Dexter Stamping also may have cascading effects: idle industrial parcels may be repositioned for new uses—potentially triggering planning & economic-development activity.

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Community Spotlight

Economic Shift: Dexter Stamping Closure

The week’s standout story is the closure of Dexter Stamping Company in Murfreesboro, which employed 114 workers and was part of the local automotive supply chain. For decades, the facility provided steady jobs and anchored economic activity on Joe B. Jackson Parkway. Its sudden shuttering presents both challenge and opportunity: workforce dislocation, potential site reuse, and community strategies for job creation. Local workforce-development agencies are stepping in, and this site may become relevant for future redevelopment or economic‐incentive programs.

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Looking Ahead

  • Thu., Nov. 6 (Evening) — City Council meeting sees multiple public hearings on annexation and rezoning. Community members should review staff reports ahead of time and consider submitting comments.

  • Next Week — Expect updates on staff recommendations regarding the annexation / rezoning items. Also watch for follow-up from the workforce agencies regarding the plant closure.

  • Ongoing — The city’s environmental monitoring of Middle Point Landfill will remain a topic; residents near the area may receive updates or opportunities for engagement.

  • Coming — The economic development pipeline (including the Buc-ee’s project) will continue to evolve; workforce impact and infrastructure planning will require attention.

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Works Cited

City Government & Official Communications

Local News Outlets

Social Media / Public Notices

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michael gray
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October 24, 2025