June 10, 2022

Educational Media Foundation breaks ground on Berry Farms HQ

Christian media group Educational Media Foundation has officially broken ground on its new global headquarters in Tennessee.

Industry guests, community partners, and government officials joined EMF’s board of directors, leadership team, and staff members for an on-site celebration on Friday, May 27 where construction of a new office building and worship center will soon begin. The site is located in the Berry Farms community of Franklin outside of Nashville.

“We’re excited to continue our journey to establish our international headquarters in Middle Tennessee, and we’re honored and humbled to be part of this community,” CEO Bill Reeves said at the ceremony. “I really feel like we’re standing on sacred ground here. I feel like God brought us to these 11 acres.”

Reeves has lived in the Nashville area for the past 25 years. When looking for a new location for the group he told the Tennessean, “It just makes sense for us to be here around the content creators and the business people.”

The company is currently based in Rocklin, CA, which is about 22 miles from Sacramento. It has been expanding its presence in Middle Tennessee for years. Some of its network programming originates from studios in the Nashville area, which is also home to the company’s AccessMore podcasting operations, WTA Media, and live events and promotions divisions.

The company closed on the 11-acre property in December 2021. The new headquarters will consist of 170,000 square feet and include six floors that will house broadcast facilities, podcast, and video production studios, along with a worship center.

At the ground-breaking event, Reeves thanked local politicians, project partners, staff, and former CEOs Bob Anthony, Dick Jenkins, and Mike Novak. “I never want to forget the legacy of the folks who built this ministry,” Reeves remarked. “These are the men on whose shoulders we stand today. I know what those three men wanted was to serve the Lord and tell people about Jesus, and that’s what we do. We’re not just building a building so we can push pencils and spin records – we’re doing it because we’re getting ready for the next generation, and to introduce them to Jesus.”

David Pierce, EMF chief partnership officer added, “We’re excited about the past we’ve traveled together … but more excited about the future … and how God is going to pave our way. And we’re just praying that we can continue to honor Him in the things we do.”

Gospel recording artist CeCe Winans also spoke to the crowd and led attendees in an acapella version of “Amazing Grace (Praise God).”

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Berry Farms Reams Fleming

Reams Fleming at Berry Farms is located in the Southeast quadrant of I-65 and the Peytonsville Road exit and fronts I-65 with excellent visibility. Reams Fleming is a high profile, high end, master-planned commercial setting that attracts businesses, workers, shoppers and visitors to its tree-lined boulevards featuring live entertainment venues, theaters and national anchor tenants. Reams Fleming is designed to include a mix of uses with buildings and sites that feature a range of office (1.3M sf), retail (850K sf), multi-family (400 units), hotel and civic venues planned in both vertical and horizontal configurations.