
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
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

Good Jobs First
2013: Tied for for transparency in incentive disclosures

Rebuild Tennessee
2014: Awarded for the EDGE Paul Lowery Road Project

SEDC
2014: Superior Award for EDGE Database and Merit Award for Regional Economic Development Website

CDFA
2018: Distinguished Development Finance Local Agency Award

Site Selection Magazine
2020: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development

IEDC
2020: Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award for NEED Grant Program

Site Selection Magazine
2021: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development
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.



Good Jobs First
2013: Tied for for transparency in incentive disclosures

Rebuild Tennessee
2014: Awarded for the EDGE Paul Lowery Road Project

SEDC
2014: Superior Award for EDGE Database and Merit Award for Regional Economic Development Website

CDFA
2018: Distinguished Development Finance Local Agency Award

Site Selection Magazine
2020: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development

IEDC
2020: Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award for NEED Grant Program

Site Selection Magazine
2021: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development
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.


Good Jobs First
2013: Tied for for transparency in incentive disclosures

Rebuild Tennessee
2014: Awarded for the EDGE Paul Lowery Road Project

SEDC
2014: Superior Award for EDGE Database and Merit Award for Regional Economic Development Website

CDFA
2018: Distinguished Development Finance Local Agency Award

Site Selection Magazine
2020: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development

IEDC
2020: Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award for NEED Grant Program

Site Selection Magazine
2021: Mac Conway Awardfor Excellence in Economic Development
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
Wednesday, February 15, 2023: EDGE Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Memphis
Wednesday, March 15, 2023: EDGE Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Memphis Area Association of REALTORS®
Wednesday, April 19, 2023: EDGE Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Location TBA
Newsroom
EDGE Launches First C-PACER Project
EDGE’s first Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACER) project is a $2.18 million loan for the construction of the future Uptown Studios and Storage to be built on the adjacent lot by the former Schlitz Brewery in the Dixie Greyhound Complex in Memphis. The funds will be used to improve energy efficiency, resiliency, and HVAC operating for the new buildings.
Local Minority-Owned Family Business Awarded ICED Loan for Expansion
Mickey’s Popcorn is a family-owned and operated gourmet small-batch popcorn company that has outgrown its former rental space for their new larger manufacturing factory. Dr. Penny Mickey and Kenneth Mickey, owners and co-founders of Mickey’s Popcorn, added a contract to provide popcorn for guests at four Hilton hotels and are planning to increase popcorn production to 6,000 bags per week with the additional space and resources.
EDGE Continues to Spur Growth in Medical Device & Advanced Manufacturing Sectors
With its strategic central location, logistics infrastructure, and diverse skilled workforce, Memphis is an ideal location for medical device companies. EDGE’s PILOT program is a key factor in encouraging major medical device companies to locate and expand in Memphis, providing the community with high paying jobs. Medtronic and Cognate Bioservices are two examples.