The honor reflects Trey’s ongoing commitment to entrepreneurship, relationship-building, and creating meaningful opportunities for others across our city. Through his work at EDGE, Trey helps support small business owners and entrepreneurs navigating growth, access to capital, and long-term development — particularly within the neighborhoods and commercial corridors that are helping shape Memphis’ future.

Trey works directly with local founders and business owners to connect them with resources, strategic guidance, and programs that help strengthen their businesses and communities. His work reflects the broader mission of EDGE: Creating opportunity through partnerships, investment, and economic growth that is visible and accessible across our region.

Beyond his professional role, Trey is widely recognized for his ability to bring people together, and he consistently leads with authenticity, collaboration, and a strong belief in the potential of others. The Gentlemen’s League recognized Trey for those same qualities, noting his commitment to connecting entrepreneurs, building community, and investing in the next generation. The organization’s focus on leadership, fellowship, and empowerment aligns closely with the work Trey advances every day through his service.

At a time when entrepreneurship continues to play an important role in neighborhood revitalization and economic growth, people like Trey help ensure that business development remains rooted in relationships and community impact. His ability to connect strategy with service has made him a trusted resource to entrepreneurs and a valued member of Memphis’ broader economic development ecosystem.

Congratulations to Trey on this achievement! We are proud of the continued impact he is making through leadership, mentorship, and service.

The post Trey Moore recognized as Gentlemen’s League beta inductee first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

That is where the Port of Memphis plays a critical role.

As one of the largest inland ports in the United States, the Port of Memphis provides the kind of multimodal flexibility that helps businesses build stronger, more resilient supply chains. With direct access to river, rail, road, and air, the Port gives companies multiple pathways to move raw materials, finished goods, and oversized freight without overreliance on any single mode.

Resilience starts with optionality
At the Port of Memphis, cargo can transition seamlessly between the Mississippi River, five Class I railroads, major interstate corridors, and the FedEx global air hub. This multimodal connectivity allows companies to shift freight routes when delays, congestion, or capacity constraints affect one part of the system.

That flexibility is especially important for industries moving bulk commodities, manufacturing inputs, steel, agricultural goods, energy products, and large industrial equipment. The ability to move freight by barge when trucking capacity tightens, or transition to rail when timing and scale demand it, reduces risk and improves continuity.

Strategic infrastructure strengthens continuity
The Port’s physical assets are designed to support long-term operational reliability. Three slack-water harbors, industrial parks on Presidents Island and Pidgeon Industrial Park, dry and liquid bulk storage, rail-served industrial sites, and extensive berthing capacity all create redundancy within the system.

That means supply chains are not dependent on a single terminal, warehouse, or transportation path. If one route is constrained, operators can leverage nearby assets within the same logistics ecosystem. This level of built-in adaptability is what allows the Port to support industries that rely on consistency, especially during periods of market volatility, weather events, or national freight disruptions.

EDGE’s role in managing resilience
Resilience requires active stewardship. As the manager of the International Port of Memphis, EDGE plays a central role in ensuring that the Port’s infrastructure, industrial land, and logistics assets continue evolving alongside market needs. That includes supporting lease activity, industrial site activation, multimodal expansion, and long-range planning that keeps freight and industrial operations competitive.

EDGE’s role is especially important in managing Presidents Island and Pidgeon Industrial Park, where industrial occupancy, transportation access, and land availability directly affect how quickly businesses can scale or adapt operations.

This stewardship also extends to Foreign Trade Zone 77, another critical tool that helps companies improve efficiency, manage inventory strategically, and strengthen supply chain flexibility through global trade advantages.

By managing these interconnected assets, EDGE helps ensure the Port remains operationally strong today and positioned for the future.

Why supply chain resilience matters for regional growth
Supply chain resilience has become a major site-selection factor. Companies are increasingly looking for regions where infrastructure reduces vulnerability, improves optionality, and supports domestic manufacturing and reshoring strategies. The Port of Memphis offers central geography, multimodal redundancy, industrial land, and coordinated management.

For Memphis and Shelby County, this resilience supports jobs, industrial growth, business attraction, and long-term economic competitiveness.

The Port of Memphis is where resilient systems are built — supported by strategic infrastructure, operational flexibility, and the long-term stewardship that EDGE provides.

That resilience helps strengthen both supply chains and the regional economy built around them.

The post How the Port of Memphis supports supply chain resilience first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

Across Memphis and Shelby County, rebuilding is one of the most direct ways economic development becomes visible in everyday life through reopenings, expanded hours, adding seating, or upgrading equipment to meet growing demand. These improvements often create ripple effects that strengthen the local economy from within.

This is the kind of place-based progress EDGE is designed to support: Helping entrepreneurs reinvest where they are and turning physical improvements into long-term neighborhood momentum.

Creating pathways for job growth
For many small business owners, the need is not a full-scale relocation or major expansion. It’s the practical improvements that unlock the next phase of growth, such as repairing a roof, updating HVAC systems, refreshing interiors, improving accessibility, adding signage, or expanding production space. When those improvements are made, businesses are better positioned to serve customers, extend hours, increase efficiency, and hire additional staff.

That job growth matters because local businesses are powerful engines of neighborhood employment. Small businesses create jobs close to where people live, helping strengthen local labor markets and contributing to more vibrant, walkable commercial districts. When neighborhood businesses thrive, nearby shops and services often benefit as well, creating a reinforcing cycle of economic activity.

Why local ownership matters
When local entrepreneurs are able to improve and expand their businesses, the benefits stay rooted in the community. Revenue circulates locally through payroll, nearby vendors, taxes, and reinvestment in surrounding properties. This multiplier effect strengthens neighborhood economies in ways that outside investment alone can’t always achieve.

This is what makes place-based reinvestment so powerful. The success of a locally owned business creates momentum that extends beyond the individual storefront, encouraging neighboring investment, stabilizing corridors, and strengthening the identity of the neighborhood itself.

How targeted investment accelerates momentum
Programs that support building improvements, equipment upgrades, and site enhancements help lower barriers that often prevent entrepreneurs from moving forward. For neighborhood-serving businesses, access to flexible capital can be the difference between staying in place and scaling up.

At EDGE, this is one of the ways rebuilding translates into measurable community impact. Through our Small Business Loan Program, businesses can access forgivable funding to support improvements that make their spaces safer, more visible, and better equipped for growth. Those investments strengthen the business itself, but they also improve the corridor around it, bringing renewed activity, stronger perception, and additional customer traffic.

A great example is Hard Times Deli in the Edge District. With support, a long-vacant building was transformed into a vibrant, chef-driven destination. The small business loan aided in the launch of a successful business and helped reactivate a corridor, increase foot traffic, and contribute to the energy of the surrounding neighborhood.

Rebuilding signals confidence in place
Rebuilding communicates confidence in the corridor, business owner, and the neighborhood’s future, which encourages additional investment from nearby property owners, neighboring businesses, and community partners. Over time, that momentum helps stabilize commercial districts and makes long-term ownership more sustainable.

The most effective strategies recognize that physical improvements and economic opportunity go hand in hand. When local entrepreneurs have the resources to reinvest where they are, rebuilding becomes a pathway to stronger ownership, neighborhoods, and economic opportunity.

This is why EDGE’s approach extends beyond funding individual projects. By investing in neighborhood-serving businesses across Memphis, the goal is to help strengthen confidence in entire corridors and create momentum that encourages nearby reinvestment.

The post How rebuilding supports jobs and local ownership first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

The EDGE Board of Directors authorized two expansions of existing PILOT agreements and approved a new jobs PILOT to support a growing local manufacturer, reinforcing Memphis’ position as a competitive hub for advanced manufacturing and logistics.

Among the approved items, Mimeo.com, Inc. received an amendment to its existing Expansion PILOT, increasing its total capital investment from approximately $13.5 million to $44.8 million. In addition, Richardson Oilseed Products US Limited received approval to amend its existing Expansion PILOT, increasing its capital investment from $220 million to $340 million at its facility on Williams Avenue. The increased investment reflects additional modernization and infrastructure needs identified during the rehabilitation of the historic site, including significant upgrades to automation, environmental systems, and production capacity. 

The Board also approved an eight-year Jobs PILOT for Morgan Steel, LLC to support the expansion of its Memphis operations at 2315 Pier Street. The project includes a total capital investment of approximately $11.7 million and will create at least 119 new jobs with an average annual salary of $57,973.

“Today’s approvals reflect the continued momentum we’re seeing across Memphis and Shelby County. From supporting small businesses to advancing larger-scale investment through PILOTs, we are collectively working to build a more dynamic and competitive economic landscape,” said EDGE President and CEO Dr. Joann Massey. “Each of these projects represents new opportunities for job creation, entrepreneurship, and long-term growth. Memphis is moving in the right direction, and we’re committed to ensuring that growth is both strategic and impactful for our community.”

The Economic Development Finance Committee also met and approved a $75,000 in forgivable Small Business Loans. To date, the program has invested more than $9 million in Memphis neighborhoods. 

Rhonda Rooks, the founder and owner of Icon Salon Suites, was approved to receive a $25,000 Small Business Loan for improvements to the salon space at 2185 Young Avenue. Funds will be used for build-out and renovation of the building originally constructed in 1957.

Derrick Abdul-Wakil, owner of Wakil Solutions, LLC, will use $25,000 to help with a variety of interior and exterior building interior improvements at 269 South Parkway West. The business is a Memphis–based marketing company dedicated to helping businesses grow through strategic branding, creative content, and targeted digital solutions.

Additionally, Ladarius Lee, founder of Peace Park Memphis, received a $25,000 Small Business Loan to help complete $68,000 of qualified improvements at 275 North Dunlap Street. Peace Park is a restaurant that aims to promote community, love, peace, and respect through food, relationships, charitable events, and donations.

The post EDGE Board Approves Major Investments Supporting Manufacturing Growth and Modernization first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

Economic Development Finance Committee Meeting
2:30 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of the February 18, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
   LOAN OPPORTUNITIES
4. Icon Salon Suites LLC
5. Wakil Solutions LLC
6. Peace Park Memphis, Inc.
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
7. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
8. Adjourn

EDGE Board Meeting
3:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
2. Chairman’s Opening Comments
3. Public Comments
4. Approval of February 18, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
5. Morgan Steel Jobs PILOT Approval
6. Richardson Oilseed Expansion PILOT Amendment
7. Mimeo Inc. Expansion Pilot Amendment
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
8. Patton – Tully Marine, LLC. Lease Addendum Request
9. Other Business
10. General Counsel Report
11. Financials
12. President’s Report
13. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
14. Adjourn

The post Wednesday, April 15, 2026: EDFC and EDGE Board Meetings first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

The evening also served as a powerful reminder that transformational growth is built over time through strategic partnerships.

The momentum that was visible on the St. Jude campus is deeply connected to infrastructure investments made possible through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the City of Memphis, TVA, and EDGE. In 2015, a TNECD FastTrack grant administered by EDGE helped fund critical utility and infrastructure improvements in and around the Pinch District adjacent to campus. Those upgrades, including electric, sewer, gas, telecommunications, and stormwater improvements, helped create the conditions for one of the most ambitious expansion periods in St. Jude’s history.

Over the past decade, St. Jude has invested more than $11 billion into its campus, exceeding its original commitment of 1,800 new jobs by creating 2,473 positions from 2015 to 2024. Looking ahead, the recently announced Advanced Research Center II will continue that momentum, with infrastructure upgrades already helping ensure the project can move forward on schedule.

For EDGE, this progress reflects the long-term value of powering progress through partnerships. When public resources, infrastructure planning, and institutional vision align, the result is job creation, neighborhood revitalization, and a stronger future for Memphis.

Discover St. Jude was a meaningful opportunity to see that progress firsthand and celebrate the partnerships that continue to move our city forward.

The post Discover St. Jude highlights the power of long-term partnership first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

Logistics and distribution

Memphis’ logistics ecosystem is one of its defining advantages. With access to major interstate corridors, five Class I railroads, the Mississippi River, and Memphis International Airport, home to FedEx’s global hub, the region serves as a critical distribution node for North America.

The International Port of Memphis, powered by EDGE, plays a central role in this system. Fostering thousands of direct and indirect jobs, the Port anchors industrial development along Presidents Island and surrounding areas. Recent approvals to expand barge and transloading operations along McKellar Lake demonstrate continued demand for multimodal infrastructure and highlight the importance of thoughtful asset stewardship.

Logistics supports manufacturing, retail, energy, and agriculture. In Memphis, it is the connective tissue of the regional economy.

Advanced manufacturing

Manufacturing remains one of the most significant pillars of Memphis’ economy. Companies here produce everything from HVAC systems and medical devices to power transformers and consumer goods. These operations provide quality jobs, strong wages, and stable career pathways.

Through strategic public-private partnerships led by EDGE and regional partners, Hyosung HICO has continued expanding its U.S. manufacturing headquarters in Memphis, investing more than $300 million since 2019 and significantly increasing production capacity. 

Similarly, AAON, Inc. committed to a $238.5 million expansion that will create hundreds of jobs over the coming years, reinforcing Memphis’ role as a hub for advanced HVAC manufacturing. The company’s decision was underpinned by a 15-year Jobs PILOT authorized by EDGE, illustrating how strategic incentive tools can help secure long-term private investment.

These investments strengthen supplier networks, workforce pipelines, and long-term competitiveness.

Healthcare and biosciences

Healthcare is both a major employer and an innovation engine in Memphis. Anchored by world-class institutions and research organizations, the sector supports clinical care, medical device development, and life sciences research.

The presence of global healthcare institutions, combined with medical manufacturing and distribution operations, creates a powerful intersection between health and industry. This ecosystem provides jobs and fosters innovation, attracting researchers, entrepreneurs, and investment to the region.

As healthcare evolves, particularly in areas like biotechnology and medical technology, Memphis is positioned to expand its influence through strategic partnerships and workforce development.

Energy and emerging technology

Energy infrastructure and emerging technologies are adding a new dimension to Memphis’ industrial base. Investments tied to energy storage, advanced power infrastructure, and technology-driven operations reflect a broader shift toward grid resilience and next-generation capacity.

Recent land leases approved by EDGE at the Port of Memphis further illustrate how the region’s industrial assets are evolving to meet emerging economic demands. The Port leased more than 500 acres in Pidgeon Industrial Park to CTC Property to support energy infrastructure connected to a nearby high-performance computing facility. In addition, a lease with Cardinal Energy Storage established a battery storage site adjacent to the development, designed to connect to TVA’s 500kV transmission line and supply power to the grid during peak demand periods. 

Through strategic partnerships, EDGE and the Port Commission are positioning Memphis as a leader in data-intensive industries and enhancing the region’s energy reliability and competitiveness.

A diverse foundation for growth

What sets Memphis apart is not reliance on a single industry but the strength of a diversified portfolio. Manufacturing facilitates logistics, logistics enables healthcare and retail distribution, and energy infrastructure underpins them all.

This diversification creates resilience, allowing Memphis to adapt to changing economic conditions while maintaining momentum across sectors.

As Memphis and Shelby County continue to invest in infrastructure, workforce alignment, and coordinated partnerships, these key sectors will remain central to the region’s growth story. Together, they power an economy rooted in place, driven by people, and positioned for long-term opportunity.

The post Key industries powering Memphis’ economy first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all residents of the City of Memphis and County of Shelby, Tennessee, and to all persons interested that the open and public meeting of the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) Industrial Development Board of the City of Memphis and County of Shelby, Tennessee, scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Junior Achievement of Memphis & the Mid-South, Simulation Space, 516 Tillman Street, Memphis, TN 38112 is CANCELED.

CANCELED
PUBLIC NOTICE
of the
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE
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 persons interested that the open and public meeting of the Economic Development Finance Committee of the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) Industrial Development Board of the City of Memphis and County of Shelby, Tennessee scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at Junior Achievement of Memphis & the Mid-South, Simulation Space, 516 Tillman Street, Memphis, TN 38112 is CANCELED.

The post Canceled – Wednesday, March 18, 2026: EDGE EDFC and Board Meetings first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

of the

Board of Directors and Executive Committee Meeting of the Shelby County
Joint Economic & Community Development Board (JECDB)
Staffed by: EDGE (Economic Development Growth Engine)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all residents of the City of Memphis and County of Shelby, Tennessee, and to all persons interested that an open and public meeting of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee Meeting of the Shelby County Joint Economic and Community Development Board (JECDB) will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., at Agricenter International Hospitality Room, 7777 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120.

There will be considered at such meeting:

• 9:00 a.m. Call to Order & Roll Call – Board Staff: Joann Massey, EDGE President & CEO
• 9:01 a.m. Opening Remarks – Mayor Mike Palazzolo, Chair
• 9:02 a.m. Public Comments (limited to three minutes)
• 9:05 a.m. Review/Approve December 4, 2025 JECDB Meeting Minutes, Joann Massey, EDGE President & CEO
• 9:06 a.m. Presentation by Greater Memphis Workforce Development Board
• 9:26 a.m. Questions and Answers
• 9:30 a.m. Community Activity Updates (limited to 1-2 minutes each)
  • Arlington
  • Bartlett
  • Collierville
  • Germantown
  • Lakeland
  • Memphis
  • Millington
  • Shelby County
  • Agricenter International
  • Greater Memphis Chamber
  • Shelby County Chambers Alliance
  • TN Dept. of Economic & Community Development
  • TVA
  • MLGW
  • Southwest TN Community College
  • Shelby County Schools
  • Downtown Memphis Commission
  • Midsouth Development District
  • Tennessee College of Applied Technology
  • Junior Achievement
  • EDGE
  • Other
• 10:00 a.m. Adjournment

The post March 2026: Shelby County Joint Economic & Community Development Board (JECDB) Board of Directors and Executive Committee Meeting first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

The board approved the administration of an expanded Port Commission jurisdictional area, subject to final approval by joint resolution of the mayors and legislative bodies of the City of Memphis and Shelby County. The proposed expansion would extend the Port Commission’s territorial limits to include unincorporated Shelby County while excluding areas within the incorporated municipalities of Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown and Millington, as well as portions of the City of Memphis along the Mississippi River waterfront.

In a separate action, the EDGE Board approved a request from the City of Memphis to sublease property located in Pidgeon Industrial Park to WeCare Denali, LLC. Under the terms of the sublease, the City of Memphis will remain the primary tenant.

“These approvals reflect how EDGE and the Port Commission are continuing to adapt to the realities of a regional economy,” said EDGE President and CEO Dr. Joann Massey. “By supporting operational efficiencies at port facilities, we are better positioned to drive long-term economic growth and create opportunity across Memphis and Shelby County.”

The board also passed a resolution to adjust Commercial Property Development PILOT Program policies and procedures. These updates clarify and strengthen EDGE’s Community Property Development PILOT Program by aligning eligibility with New Markets Tax Credit guidelines, refining location criteria, and sharpening the program’s focus on owner-occupied, community-serving projects.

The Economic Development Finance Committee also met and approved a $25,000 Small Business Loan. Through small forgivable loans, the program has invested more than $9 million in Memphis neighborhoods. Nicholas Riley, owner of Bad Timing LLC, will use the funds to help with a variety of interior and exterior building interior improvements at 626 Minor Street. The business is a buy, sell, and trade clothing store for vintage and designer finds, and building adjustments will also allow Bad Timing to hire additional employees.

The post EDGE Board Approves Port Jurisdiction Expansion Request and Sublease, One Small Business Loan first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.