Regional Economic Alliance Plans Aggressive Job Growth and Investment for 2020
The Memphis and Shelby County Regional Economic Alliance’s (REA) 2019 outcomes for jobs, investment and minority/local business spend far exceeded its earlier projections. The numbers were revealed at REA's January 9th meeting.

In 2019, EDGE, Downtown Memphis Commission and the Greater Memphis Chamber approved 82 projects compared to its goal of 45 - Projects like NBC's Bluff City Law, AutoZone’s commitment to bring tech jobs downtown and Pandrol USA, a maker of rail infrastructure, moving its headquarters to Memphis - to name a few.  

The group assisted in the creation of 1,649 jobs compared to its projection of 1,594, generated $2.7 billion in capital investment , well over its projection of $615 million and drove $478 million in spend with minority and women-owned firms , compared to its goal of $73 million.
For 2020, REA expects to assist 68 projects that will:
  • create 3,800 jobs,
  • invest $1.1 billion
  • and commit $109 million to contracts with minority and women-owned firms.  

REA includes representatives from the City of Memphis , Shelby County , the Downtown Memphis Commission , the Greater Memphis Chamber , and EDGE . It was formed in 2018 to add resources, increase collaboration, provide accountability, and better utilize data in business recruitment and retention for Greater Memphis. The Board meets again in April. 
EDGE IMPACT (Since 2011)
EDGE Works to Help Blues City Brewery Expand, Create 155 Jobs in Memphis
Blues City Brewery  is looking to expand its operations to capture a bigger share of the beverage market. The company has been considering whether to expand here or one of its other two facilities, but EDGE is providing assistance to keep that growth in Memphis.

EDGE Helping to Ensure UPS’s Planned Expansion Happens in Memphis 
United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)  is growing its operation and EDGE is working to make sure that expansion is in Memphis. That expansion would create 25 new supervisory jobs and invest more than $216 million. It would also secure Memphis’s place in the UPS network as well as ensure job growth and retention with the company.

US DOT Releases Interactive Opportunity Zones Map
The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released an  interactive map  to encourage more economic investment in Opportunity Zones, areas designated as “economically distressed” by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

The DOT’s map shows federal highway projects, interstate exits, bridges, train and bus stations, along with major ports and intermodal facilities.

The Greater Memphis Region has a wealth of its own investment opportunities across  several opportunity zones  in Binghampton, Downtown and the Medical District, Uptown, Orange Mound, South Memphis, Whitehaven, the University of Memphis and Millington. Learn more here .
 US Army Corps of Engineers to Hold Open House for Area Businesses

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Memphis District is hosting its first Business Opportunities Open House. The goal is to let both large and small businesses know about the FY 2020 contracting opportunities with the District, totaling $150 million. The event is free and District leaders will be on-hand to explain the district's unique missions and projects.

The open house will be on March 24 the from 9am to 3pm at Beale Street Landing, 251 Riverside Dr., Memphis, TN 38103. You must register in advance. Click here for more information.
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