The Port of Memphis received more than $1.7 million in grant funding from the State of Tennessee and an additional private local match to expand rail access and opportunities on Presidents Island. The rail project will be part of an overall redevelopment of the 58-acre public terminal facility. The project will include the building of approximately 4,900 feet of new rail track on the terminal plus four new switches. With these improvements, the facility will be able to accommodate approximately 70 additional rail cars.
The new rail improvements will act as a catalyst for the construction of a new dock facility, storage/warehouse facility, and liquid tank farm which will help attract new customers to the facility.
The anticipated employment of the terminal at full site utilization will be 20 to 25 new net jobs. A recent study shows the Port of Memphis – the Pidgeon Industrial Park and Presidents Island combined industries – generate more than $9.2 billion of annual economic impact to the local Memphis/Shelby County economy.