The EDGE Board approved an amendment to the lease held by Enterprise Products Partners, L.P. at the Port of Memphis. This reinforces the Port’s role as a critical economic asset and supports continued industrial activity and investment along the Mississippi River.

A Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency (C-PACER) financing request was also approved for McLean Partners LLC for up to $11.02 million. This will support the development of senior living communities at 34 McLean Boulevard and 35 and 51 South Barksdale Street in Memphis. C-PACER financing provides access to long-term, fixed-rate capital for energy efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability improvements in commercial properties.

“EDGE is committed to strengthening Shelby County’s economic foundation through strategic, community-centered investments,” said EDGE President and CEO Dr. Joann Massey. “Each incentive approved in today’s EDFC and EDGE board meetings builds a stronger, more competitive Shelby County economy. We are focused on providing resources that help businesses grow, create jobs, and improve quality of life across our region.”

The Economic Development Finance Committee also met and approved Small Business Loans for Destination Education Academy of Memphis, Inc. and Brilliant Minds Childhood Education Center. Through small forgivable loans, the program has invested more than $9 million in Memphis neighborhoods.

Jacolbie Hardy, owner of Destination Education Academy, was awarded a $25,000 Small Business Loan to go toward $60,000 worth of work that includes structural repairs, interior reconfiguration, painting, lighting upgrades, a new emergency entrance, and updated signage. These enhancements will improve the facility’s safety, functionality, and appearance at 4064 St. Elmo.

As the founder of Brilliant Minds Childcare Development Center, Dr. Irma Davis will use an $18,000 Small Business Loan toward work at 1019 Berclair Road that includes new signage, upgraded fencing and lighting, installation of gutters and downspouts, and refreshed landscaping. These funds allow the center to improve and upgrade its exterior while maintaining a safe, welcoming environment and keeping childcare affordable for families. It also supports hiring three additional local, part-time employees.

The post EDGE Board Approves Port Lease Extension and C-PACER Financing, Two Small Business Loans first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

As Memphis continues to strengthen its entrepreneurial ecosystem through Entrepreneurship City, Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis & Shelby County (EDGE) will bring together small business owners, creatives, support organizations, lenders, and community partners at its Fourth Annual Small Business Expo on June 25 at the Renasant Convention Center.

The Expo serves as a key activation of Entrepreneurship City, the initiative launched by EDGE and the City of Memphis to connect founders, small businesses, and innovators with the resources, relationships, and opportunities needed to grow and succeed. This year’s event will also introduce Culture Corner, sponsored by TVA, highlighting the important role artists and creative enterprises play in the local economy.

“Entrepreneurship City is about creating an environment where entrepreneurs can access the support, connections, and opportunities they need to thrive,” said EDGE President and CEO Dr. Joann Massey. “The Small Business Expo showcases what’s possible when we invest in local talent, whether that’s a neighborhood restaurant, a technology startup, a retail business, or a creative entrepreneur.”

WHAT: Fourth Annual Small Business Loan Expo
WHEN: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Renasant Convention Center, Riverfront Rooms 1-5 (255 N Main St, Memphis, TN)

Since 2014, businesses supported through EDGE’s Small Business Loan Program have invested approximately $9 million into the communities they serve and created nearly 600 jobs. Many of those entrepreneurs will be featured at the Expo, providing attendees with a firsthand look at how local businesses are strengthening neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and the broader Memphis economy.

Culture Corner will feature participation from the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission and the City of Memphis Office of Creative & Cultural Economy, along with performances and showcases from local artists, designers, photographers, and other types of performers.

Attendees will have opportunities to connect with organizations dedicated to helping businesses launch, grow, and thrive.

The Small Business Expo is free and open to the public.

The post Entrepreneurship City Brings Memphis Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses and Creatives Together at Fourth Annual EDGE Expo 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 April 15, 2026 Meeting Minutes
   LOAN OPPORTUNITIES
4. Brilliant Minds Childcare Development Center
5. Destination Education Childcare Center
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
6. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
7. 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 May 20, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
5. Enterprise Pipeline Addendum to Lease
6. The Iris at Midtown C-Pacer Loan Approval
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
7. Other Business
8. General Counsel Report
9. Financials
10. President’s Report
11. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
12. Adjourn

The post Wednesday, June 17, 2026: EDFC and EDGE 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, June 4, 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 March 5, 2026 JECDB Meeting Minutes, Joann Massey, EDGE President & CEO
• 9:06 a.m. Presentation by YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
• 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
  • YMCA
  • MLGW
  • Southwest TN Community College
  • Shelby County Schools
  • Downtown Memphis Commission
  • Midsouth Development District
  • Tennessee College of Applied Technology
  • Junior Achievement
  • EDGE
• 10:00 a.m. Adjournment

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

Hosted in partnership with EDGE, Start Co., the City of Memphis, and numerous regional organizations, ACE brought together delegates representing countries throughout North, Central, and South America to explore how regions build economic momentum through infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and strategic partnerships. Throughout the week, Memphis had the opportunity to showcase its global connectivity and the partnerships and strategies helping translate growth into opportunity.

Showcasing Memphis as a global hub
The week began with opening remarks led by City of Memphis Mayor Paul A. Young, U.S. Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto, and OAS Officer in Charge Barbara Kotschwar, and an economic development discussion featuring EDGE President and CEO Dr. Joann Massey, Greater Memphis Chamber Chief Economic Development Officer Gwyn Fisher, and MLGW President and CEO Doug McGowen. Conversations centered on Memphis’ position as a global logistics hub, the importance of infrastructure and utilities in supporting growth, and how partnerships continue driving long-term economic competitiveness.

Throughout the week, delegates experienced firsthand what makes Memphis uniquely positioned at the crossroads of global commerce, innovation, and culture.

A visit to FedEx Headquarters highlighted Memphis’ role in global distribution and supply chain connectivity. Delegates learned more about the Memphis World Hub – the company’s largest global sort facility – and explored how data, logistics, and innovation continue shaping the future of commerce from Memphis to markets around the world.

The group also visited the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis, where discussions focused on applied research, emerging technologies, and other efforts helping strengthen the region’s innovation economy.

Innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact
ACE programming also highlighted Memphis’ broader innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. At Epicenter, delegates explored how Memphis is helping founders build and scale businesses through mentorship, strategic support, and ecosystem partnerships. Conversations focused on emerging industries, including logistics and medical devices, while emphasizing the role entrepreneurship plays in strengthening long-term economic growth. The Innovation Exchange Coalition Showcase further connected global leaders with founders and innovation ecosystem partners working to drive collaboration across borders.

Healthcare and community impact were also central themes throughout the week. Delegates visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to hear from hospital leadership about global pediatric research, innovation, and long-term strategic growth. At the National Civil Rights Museum, conversations explored the lasting connection between civil rights, social justice, and economic mobility, reinforcing how opportunity and economic development are deeply interconnected.

Place-based investment in action
In addition to Memphis’ major institutions and industries, ACE highlighted how place-based investment strategies are shaping neighborhoods and commercial corridors across the region.

Delegates explored the Memphis Medical District, Downtown Memphis, and Crosstown Concourse to better understand how infrastructure, healthcare, housing, entrepreneurship, arts, and public investment can work together to create connected communities. Visits also included The Works’ neighborhood development initiatives and Northside Square, demonstrating how community-led investment strategies can support housing, workforce pathways, and long-term neighborhood revitalization.

The week also expanded beyond Memphis through visits focused on agriculture innovation and rural economic development, including Rose Creek Farms and Somerville, Tennessee, where delegates learned more about food systems, local entrepreneurship, and rural economic opportunity. Additional programming highlighted workforce development and STEM education through Code Crew and retail innovation through the Orgill Innovation Center.

Powering progress through partnerships
Throughout the week, Memphis shared its collaborative spirit.

For EDGE, ACE represented an opportunity to demonstrate how we are #poweringprogressthroughpartnerships – bringing together public, private, nonprofit, educational, and community partners around a shared vision for growth.

As delegates departed Memphis, they left with a firsthand look at a city where logistics, entrepreneurship, innovation, and neighborhood investment are interconnected parts of a broader strategy to create long-term opportunity.

The post Memphis welcomes global leaders through the Americas Competitiveness Exchange first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

Hosted at Memphis City Hall, the inaugural event brought together business leaders, elected officials, and community stakeholders for a morning of discussion centered on policy, infrastructure, innovation, and civic engagement. Through curated sessions and conversations with city leadership, attendees gained insight into how Memphis is addressing key priorities while strengthening connections across sectors.

The event featured sessions on topics including doing business with the City of Memphis, innovation and artificial intelligence in government, and infrastructure and city operations. Leaders from across city government shared updates and perspectives on how Memphis is approaching operational efficiency, technology, and long-term planning to better serve residents and businesses.

The morning concluded with remarks from Memphis City Council Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington and a keynote conversation with Memphis Police Department Chief C.J. Davis focused on public safety, leadership, and engagement with the business community.

For EDGE, the event reinforced that meaningful progress depends on strong relationships across business, government, and community leadership. That perspective made Dr. Massey’s recognition especially meaningful.

As president and CEO of EDGE, Dr. Massey leads efforts to strengthen economic opportunity through business attraction and expansion, entrepreneurship support, strategic infrastructure, neighborhood reinvestment, and cross-sector collaboration. Under her leadership, EDGE continues advancing initiatives that help create jobs, strengthen commercial corridors, support entrepreneurs, and position Memphis and Shelby County for long-term competitiveness.

The Public Service Leadership Award recognized Dr. Massey’s “outstanding civic leadership and enduring commitment to advancing both community and commerce in Greater Memphis,” a reflection of the community-centered approach that defines both her leadership and EDGE’s mission.

In accepting the award, Dr. Massey reflected on the many forms public service can take and the importance of bringing people together around the shared work of creating opportunity for Memphis. That perspective closely reflects what she has coined as “powering progress through partnerships,” a phrase that has become central to EDGE’s approach to economic development and long-term growth.

The Greater Memphis Chamber’s Chamber Day at City Hall highlighted the value of strong civic leadership and continued dialogue between the public and private sectors as Memphis works to build long-term momentum.

EDGE is proud to celebrate Dr. Massey on this well-deserved recognition and grateful for the many organizations and leaders across Memphis and Shelby County helping create opportunity, strengthen communities, and move the region forward.

The post Dr. Joann Massey recognized with Public Service Leadership Award first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

The event brought together senior executives from across the region for a peer-driven conversation centered on how organizations can strengthen workplace culture, support employee wellness, and build stronger outcomes for both individuals and communities. Through storytelling and discussion, leaders explored the growing connection between organizational health, workforce resilience, and long-term community impact.

Dr. Massey joined a panel alongside leaders from healthcare and industry, including Michael Crystal of Kroger and Monica Wharton of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, with Sam Coates serving as moderator. Together, the panel explored the importance of partnerships in improving both individual and community well-being and discussed how organizations across sectors can work together to create healthier, more connected communities.

For Dr. Massey, the conversation aligned closely with the work EDGE supports every day across Memphis and Shelby County. Economic development is often associated with jobs, investment, and infrastructure, but strong communities also depend on healthy people and workplaces. Access to opportunity, stable employment, strong neighborhood assets, and community partnerships all contribute to broader quality of life and long-term economic vitality.

Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized that workforce health is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration across business, healthcare, nonprofit, and civic sectors. That idea reflects how thriving communities are built through partnerships.

At EDGE, this means helping create the conditions where businesses, employees, and neighborhoods can grow together. Through supporting employers, strengthening commercial corridors, encouraging entrepreneurship, or helping attract investment that creates quality jobs, economic growth and community well-being are deeply connected.

The breakfast also reinforced the importance of cross-sector dialogue in addressing some of the region’s most pressing challenges. By bringing together leaders with different perspectives and expertise, the American Heart Association created space for meaningful conversations around workforce health, culture, and community impact.

EDGE is proud to have Dr. Massey represent the organization in conversations that strengthen Memphis and Shelby County. The inaugural Executive Breakfast served as an important reminder that when organizations work together around shared priorities, they can create healthier workplaces, stronger communities, and greater opportunity for all.

The post Dr. Joann Massey joins regional leaders for American Heart Association Executive Breakfast first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

Port of Memphis Board Meeting
2:30 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
2. Chairman’s Opening Comments
3. Public Comments
4. Approval of the Minutes from the January 21, 2026 Meeting
5. Set June 17, 2026 Meeting Date
6. Approval of FY2027 Port Commission Budget
7. Director’s Report
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 April 15, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
5. General Counsel Report
6. Approval of FY2027 EDGE/IDB Budget
7. President’s Report
8. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
9. Adjourn

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, May 20, 2026, at Junior Achievement of Memphis & the Mid-South, Simulation Space, 516 Tillman Street, Memphis, TN 38112 is CANCELED.

The post Wednesday, May 20, 2026: Port and EDGE Board Meetings first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

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.