Driving Memphis &
Shelby County Forward
Economic Development
Growth Engine
EDGE brings together public and private entities to create new opportunities for economic advancement and prosperity.
Driving Memphis &
Shelby County Forward
Economic Development
Growth Engine
EDGE brings together public and private entities to create new opportunities for economic advancement and prosperity.
Driving Memphis &
Shelby County Forward
Economic Development
Growth Engine
EDGE brings together public and private entities to create new opportunities for economic advancement and prosperity.
– Program –
PILOT
A temporary, partial abatement of future real and/or personal property taxes that an applicant would otherwise have paid.
– Program –
TIF
Funds public infrastructure and improvements, and can finance private entities.
– Program –
ICED Loan
Small, forgivable loans that assist in facade and building improvements.
– Program –
IRB
Bonds that offer low-cost financing for manufacturing projects.
– Program –
FTZ
Allows companies importing parts/products to delay, reduce or eliminate taxes.
– Program –
FTZ
Allows companies importing parts/products to delay, reduce or eliminate taxes.
Key Industries of Memphis & Shelby County
EDGE By the Numbers
Economic Impact Since 2011
Created & Retained
Memphis/Shelby
County Jobs
MWBE Spend
with local MWBEs
More Than
In Capital Investment
Generated
In Tax Revenue
EDGE By the Numbers
Economic Impact Since 2011
Created & Retained
Memphis/Shelby
County Jobs
MWBE Spend
with local MWBEs
More Than
In Capital Investment
Generated
In Tax Revenue
Our Award-Winning Transparency
EDGE and its partners provide incentive, finance and small business development programs that help your business grow.
View Shelby County businesses that have received grants from EDGE Programs
EDGE Recognition for Excellence
Trade & Industry Development Magazine
2025: EDGE awarded Outstanding Achievement In Economic Development Award
CDFA
2024: EDGE named Outstanding Local Development Finance Agency of the Year
TNECD
2024: Presidents Island earned the prestigious “shovel-ready” Select Tennessee Certified Site designation
Memphis Business Journal
2023: Expand – Diversity in Business Awards for ICED Loan program
Site Selection Magazine
2021: Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development
IEDC
2020: Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award for NEED Grant Program
Site Selection Magazine
2020: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development
CDFA
2018: Distinguished Development Finance Local Agency Award
SEDC
2014: Superior Award for EDGE Database and Merit Award for Regional Economic Development Website
Rebuild Tennessee
2014: Awarded for the EDGE Paul Lowery Road Project
Good Jobs First
2013: Tied for for transparency in incentive disclosures
Jobs PILOT
Cognate BioServices Inc
Cognate BioServices, Inc. received approval for a 15-year Jobs PILOT encouraging the company to create 561 jobs paying an average wage of $63,749. The company plans to invest $213 million to renovate three Memphis industrial properties to house cell-therapy operations, contract development and manufacturing for drug sponsors, and related logistics. Founded in 2002, Baltimore-based Cognate BioServices is a leading contract developer and manufacturer of advanced cell and gene therapies. As the demand for regenerative medicine, cancer treatments and other live-cell biologics increases, Cognate is diversifying its services from clinical into commercial applications and now has facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Sweden.
Trade & Industry Development Magazine
2025: EDGE awarded Outstanding Achievement In Economic Development Award
CDFA
2024: EDGE named Outstanding Local Development Finance Agency of the Year
TNECD
2024: Presidents Island earned the prestigious “shovel-ready” Select Tennessee Certified Site designation
Memphis Business Journal
2023: Expand – Diversity in Business Awards for ICED Loan program
Site Selection Magazine
2021: Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development
IEDC
2020: Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award for NEED Grant Program
Site Selection Magazine
2020: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development
CDFA
2018: Distinguished Development Finance Local Agency Award
SEDC
2014: Superior Award for EDGE Database and Merit Award for Regional Economic Development Website
Rebuild Tennessee
2014: Awarded for the EDGE Paul Lowery Road Project
Good Jobs First
2013: Tied for for transparency in incentive disclosures
Jobs PILOT
Cognate BioServices Inc
Cognate BioServices, Inc. received approval for a 15-year Jobs PILOT encouraging the company to create 561 jobs paying an average wage of $63,749. The company plans to invest $213 million to renovate three Memphis industrial properties to house cell-therapy operations, contract development and manufacturing for drug sponsors, and related logistics. Founded in 2002, Baltimore-based Cognate BioServices is a leading contract developer and manufacturer of advanced cell and gene therapies. As the demand for regenerative medicine, cancer treatments and other live-cell biologics increases, Cognate is diversifying its services from clinical into commercial applications and now has facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Sweden.
Trade & Industry Development Magazine
2025: EDGE awarded Outstanding Achievement In Economic Development Award
CDFA
2024: EDGE named Outstanding Local Development Finance Agency of the Year
TNECD
2024: Presidents Island earned the prestigious “shovel-ready” Select Tennessee Certified Site designation
Memphis Business Journal
2023: Expand – Diversity in Business Awards for ICED Loan program
Site Selection Magazine
2021: Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development
IEDC
2020: Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award for NEED Grant Program
Site Selection Magazine
2020: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development
CDFA
2018: Distinguished Development Finance Local Agency Award
SEDC
2014: Superior Award for EDGE Database and Merit Award for Regional Economic Development Website
Rebuild Tennessee
2014: Awarded for the EDGE Paul Lowery Road Project
Good Jobs First
2013: Tied for for transparency in incentive disclosures
Jobs PILOT
Cognate BioServices Inc
Cognate BioServices, Inc. received approval for a 15-year Jobs PILOT encouraging the company to create 561 jobs paying an average wage of $63,749. The company plans to invest $213 million to renovate three Memphis industrial properties to house cell-therapy operations, contract development and manufacturing for drug sponsors, and related logistics. Founded in 2002, Baltimore-based Cognate BioServices is a leading contract developer and manufacturer of advanced cell and gene therapies. As the demand for regenerative medicine, cancer treatments and other live-cell biologics increases, Cognate is diversifying its services from clinical into commercial applications and now has facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Sweden.
Upcoming Meetings
Canceled – Wednesday, July 16, 2025: EDGE EDFC, Port, and Board Meetings
CANCELED PUBLIC NOTICE of the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) Industrial Development Board of the City of Memphis and County of Shelby, Tennessee NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all residents of the City of Memphis and County of Shelby, Tennessee, and to all...
Newsroom
Where grit meets growth: The story of Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken
For over 20 years, Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken has been a pillar of Memphis culture, serving up unforgettable food, community pride, and a powerful legacy rooted in family. At the center of it all is Lou Martin, a man whose devotion to tradition and resilience turned a...
Building financial empowerment for Memphis: CityStart launches local strategy conversations
Last week, Memphis took a powerful step toward a more financially secure future for all of its residents. Trey Moore, EDGE’s Small Business Specialist, joined community partners, city officials, and citizens for the Memphis CityStart Financial Empowerment Meeting, an...
Small Business Loan Expo spotlights Memphis entrepreneurs and launches “Entrepreneurship City”
Memphis is a city built on grit, and nowhere was that spirit more alive than at EDGE’s Small Business Loan Expo, held last Thursday at the Renasant Convention Center in Downtown Memphis. Entrepreneurs, community partners, and city leaders came together for a day...