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.

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

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of the January 21, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
   LOAN OPPORTUNITIES
4. Bad Timing, LLC
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
5. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
6. 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 January 21, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
5. WeCare Denali Processing Facility Sublease Approval
6. Port Commission Jurisdictional Boundary Expansion
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
7. Commercial PILOT Program Resolution Approval
8. Other Business
9. General Counsel Report
10. Financials
11. President’s Report
12. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
13. Adjourn

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

To strengthen the long-term vitality of the Memphis and Shelby County Port and reinforce its role as a critical logistics and industrial asset for the region, the Port of Memphis and EDGE Board approved measures supporting the Memphis and Shelby County Port Commission’s authorization to enter into a lease with SCF Fleeting, LLC for property along McKellar Lake, as well as the approval of Watco Companies to sublease a portion of the Public Dock to Granite Construction, Inc. and another portion to T&S Southern. Together, these actions support continued activation of port assets, increased utilization of waterfront infrastructure, and sustained industrial activity on Presidents Island.

“By enabling strategic partnerships and responsible redevelopment of long-standing port facilities, EDGE and its partners are helping preserve critical shipping capacity, support thousands of existing jobs, and position the region for future industrial growth,” said EDGE President and CEO Dr. Joann Massey. “These actions underscore the importance of collaboration and thoughtful stewardship of our public assets.”

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.

Curtis Givens, owner of Big Bill’s BBQ, will use the funds to help with a variety of facade, HVAC and building interior improvements at 4101 Elvis Presley Blvd. The business is a local Southern BBQ restaurant in Whitehaven that serves a diverse age range of customers. Big Bill’s will expand to offer dine-in services and, in turn, provide more jobs to community members.

The post EDGE Board Approves Two Port of Memphis Subleases, One Small Business Loan first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.

Economic Development Finance Committee Meeting
2:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
2. Public Comments
3. Approval of the November 19, 2025 Meeting Minutes
   LOAN OPPORTUNITIES
4. Big Bill’s Bar-Be-Que
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
5. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
6. Adjourn

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 August 25, 2025 Meeting Minutes
5. Set February 18, 2026 Board Meeting Date
6. SCF Fleeting, LLC Lease Agreement Resolution
7. Watco Request for Sublease with Granite Construction Resolution
8. Watco Request for Sublease with T&S Southern Resolution
9. Director’s Report
10. 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 September 17, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes
   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
5. Watco Sublease with Granite Construction Resolution
6. Watco Sublease with T&S Southern Resolution
7. Commercial PILOT Program Introduction
   ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES & REPORTS
8. Other Business
9. General Counsel Report
10. FY2025 Audit
11. Financial Report
12. President’s Report
13. Other/Remarks for the Good of the Order
14. Adjourn

The post Wednesday, January 21, 2026: EDFC, Port, and EDGE Board Meetings first appeared on Economic Development Growth Engine.