Memphis Botanic Garden hosts its Food Truck Garden Party: Medieval Merriment on Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MBG, 750 Cherry Road. The party features live music, food trucks, cash bar, a pedestal jousting ring and crafts for kids. Cover, which includes one drink ticket, is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers; admission for children 2 and younger is free. Visit memphisbotanicgarden.com/foodtruck for details.

2. Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum Helping Local MWBEs Connect, Grow - Saturday, September 8, 2018

For local minority- and women-owned business owners like Will Graham, becoming a member of the Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum (MMBCC) has been a critical piece of her company’s growth. She joined the MMBCC to help connect her medical device special processing business with local medical device manufacturers, suppliers and other medical professionals.

3. Memphis City Council Considers Surface Parking Lot at Main and Beale - Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Memphis City Council members vote Tuesday, Aug. 28, on a special-use permit to turn the land on the northeast corner of South Main Street and Beale Street into a surface parking lot with landscaping.

4. Stop or Go? What Move to Make During Leadership Transition - Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Should you stop your fundraising when your organization has a leadership change? Slow it down? When do you put on the brakes?

Part one of this series provided recommendations for how to assess green lighting your fundraising. In this column we offer examples of when you might decide to pause your fundraising. There is no formula for how to make these decisions. What is most important is that leadership carefully evaluate the organization’s financial health and the reality of its fundraising position given the change in leadership. When choosing to move forward with fundraising, you have to make sure your team is willing and able. When choosing to stop or pause you need know the financial impact and what adjustments are neededneeded.

5. Startups Dive Into 2018 Summer of Acceleration - Friday, June 15, 2018

Now in their fourth year as partners on the Summer of Acceleration entrepreneurial program, EPIcenter, Start Co. and Memphis Bioworks Foundation are helping to foster success for promising startup companies across different industries.

6. Integrated Model - Wednesday, June 13, 2018

With a newly designed call center inside its 570,000-square-foot South Memphis facility, iQor is planning to make 100 new hires by the end of the summer. The global managed services provider is looking to extend the scope of its aftermarket product services in Memphis.

7. GTx Reports Positive Results in Using Enobosarm to Treat Incontinence - Saturday, May 26, 2018

Memphis-based biopharmaceutical company GTx Inc. has deep roots in Memphis, with AutoZone founder Pitt Hyde being a primary backer of the company since its inception in 1997. In recent years, GTx’s research into the muscle-building compound enobosarm has shifted from patients with breast and lung cancer to women with stress urinary incontinence.

8. Events - Saturday, May 12, 2018

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest returns Wednesday through Saturday, May 16-19, in Tom Lee Park Downtown. Among the highlights are the annual Ms. Piggie Idol Contest; the Kingsford Tour of Champions, which gives the public a chance to taste and judge barbecue from competing teams; the Cooker Caravan, a free guided tour of some of the best competition teams; live music; and more. Visit memphisinmay.org for tickets and a daily schedule.

9. US Brands Suffer Collateral Damage in Chinese Corporate War - Tuesday, April 24, 2018

SHANGHAI (AP) – The rivalry is so notorious it's been called the "great cat-and-dog war." On one side towers Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., China's e-commerce market leader, embodied by the black cat mascot of its Tmall platform. On the other is JD.com Inc., a fast-growing upstart represented by its white dog logo.

10. Events - Saturday, April 21, 2018

Circuit Playhouse will present the regional premiere of “Stupid F#!&ing Bird” Friday, April 20, through May 13 at 51 S. Cooper St. Visit playhouseonthesquare.org for times and tickets.

11. Events - Wednesday, April 18, 2018

The Africa in April International Entrepreneurs’ Business Luncheon is Wednesday, April 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Tickets are $75. Visit facebook.com/africainaprilfestival for details.

12. The Week Ahead: April 16-20 - Monday, April 16, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! It’s time for Africa in April, which in the minds of many Memphians, is the seasonal kick-off for festivals. The annual Southern Hot Wing Festival comes this weekend on Tiger Lane, so get ready for good times to replace that winter weather. Check out what else you need to know about in The Week Ahead...

13. 10 Ways to Energize Volunteer Leaders - Tuesday, April 10, 2018

A special column for executive directors and college presidents. “I guess I’ll have to do it myself. I can’t depend on anyone. People say they want to help, but...”

14. Community LIFT Looking to Build $5 Million Loan Pool Amid Growth - Saturday, March 31, 2018

An organization that pursues sources of financial, human and intellectual capital to strategically revitalize neighborhoods wants to build a $5 million loan pool for investing in Memphis communities and leaders.

15. Riviana, Ebrofrost Continue Work On $26M Frozen Food Facility - Monday, March 19, 2018

2360 Prospect St.

Memphis, TN 38106

Permit Amount: $3.1 million

Project Cost: $26.5 million

Application Date: March 2018

Owner: Riviana Foods

16. Digest - Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Memphis Grizzlies Suffer 15th Consecutive Loss

The Grizzlies lost their 15th straight game, 119-110 at Chicago, on Wednesday, March 7.

The team has not won since defeating the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum on Jan. 29.

17. Plaskolite Buys Lucite Business, Memphis Plant - Saturday, February 17, 2018

Acrylic sheet products manufacturer Plaskolite LLC announced that it is acquiring Lucite International Inc.’s continuous cast acrylic sheet business, which includes general-purpose and sanitary sheets used in making spa and bath products.

18. Lucite’s Memphis Facility Part of Business Acquisition by Plaskolite - Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Acrylic sheet products manufacturer Plaskolite LLC announced late Monday, Feb. 12, that it is acquiring Lucite International Inc.’s continuous cast acrylic sheet business, which includes general-purpose and sanitary sheets used in making spa and bath products.

19. Sports Executives Enjoying ‘Glory Years’ of Memphis Sports - Monday, January 29, 2018

With sports clicking on all cylinders in Memphis and a new professional team on the horizon, these days could really be seen as the glory years of Memphis sports.

That was the observation of Jason Wexler, president of business operations for the Memphis Grizzlies, who was one of four panelist Thursday, Jan. 25, at Newmakers: Memphis Sports, part of The Daily News’ Seminar Series.

20. In New Rule, Trump Tries to Deliver a Health Care Promise - Friday, January 5, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) – Striving to fulfill a campaign promise, the Trump administration moved Thursday to facilitate the interstate sale of health insurance policies that cost less but may not cover as much.

21. Officials Talk Bioscience Research Partnership - Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Three major Memphis health care institutions including the University of Tennessee Health Science Center have established a formal partnership to help spur the commercialization of bioscience and technology breakthroughs.

22. Events - Thursday, November 9, 2017

The St. George’s Independent School Art Show takes place Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 9-11, at its Collierville campus, 1880 Wolf River Blvd. More than 50 local and regional artists will display and sell sculptures, paintings, mixed-media pieces and more. Visit sgisartshow.org for hours and tickets.

23. Events - Tuesday, November 7, 2017

The St. George’s Independent School Art Show takes place Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 9-11, at its Collierville campus, 1880 Wolf River Blvd. More than 50 local and regional artists will display and sell sculptures, paintings, mixed-media pieces and more. Visit sgisartshow.org for hours and tickets.

24. Shipping Container Retail Village Coming to Medical District - Monday, November 6, 2017

A shipping container retail village is planning to open in the Memphis Medical District in mid- to late-November as part of an effort to give entrepreneurs a creative alternative to traditional bricks and mortar.

25. Events - Monday, November 6, 2017

The Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest judging seminar will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in SpringHill Suites’ Kress ballroom, 85 Court Ave. The seminar is the only chance this year to qualify as a judge for the 2018 contest. Cost is $95 and includes judging manual, training materials and lunch. Registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 6. Visit memphisinmay.org for details and application.

26. Events - Saturday, November 4, 2017

Beale Street Caravan and Fourth Bluff kick off their Album Sessions lunchtime listening parties with Don Bryant and the Bo-Keys’ “Don’t Give Up on Love” Friday, Nov. 3, on the promenade behind the Cossitt Library. All listening sessions will start at 12:15 p.m. and are free and open to all ages. Silent disco headphones will be provided; headphones reservations are recommended. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunches. Visit thefourthbluff.com for a fall programming lineup.

27. Paradise Lost - Tuesday, October 17, 2017

A look beyond tragedy: how to support University of the Virgin Islands students, faculty and staff suffering from hurricanes Irma and Maria. Many of us think of the Virgin Islands as a favorite vacation paradise. In addition to the beautiful beaches and lush vegetation, the U.S. Virgin Islands are also home to a hidden gem: the only historically black university located off the mainland.

28. Promoters Exporting Authenticity Of Memphis Music in Another Way - Tuesday, September 12, 2017

A new 5,000- to 6,000-seat concert venue at Graceland by early 2019 is competition. But it probably brings more customers to the overall market for concerts in the city, says the founder of Music Export Memphis, the city’s export office for the music business.

29. UTHSC Readies New Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility - Wednesday, August 23, 2017

UTHSC is putting the final touches on its new $20 million Plough Center for Sterile Drug Delivery Systems, a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility at the site of a former warehouse at 208 S. Dudley St. in the Memphis Medical District.

30. Avison Young’s Memphis Office Uses Diversified Approach - Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Eighteen months ago, real estate brokers Shane Soefker and Jacob Biddle decided they wanted to do things a little differently, so they left their jobs at a local brokerage firm and set off on their own.

31. Avison Young’s Memphis Office Finds Strength In Diversified Approach - Saturday, August 19, 2017

Eighteen months ago, real estate brokers Jacob Biddle and Shane Soefker decided they wanted to do things a little differently, so they left their jobs at a local brokerage firm and set off on their own.

32. Fully Loaded - Saturday, July 29, 2017

It’s almost like the first half of 2017 was a decade in the making, at least when it comes to commercial real estate. Throughout all four major sectors of the Memphis-area commercial real estate market – industrial, office, retail and multifamily – figures are consistently reaching or exceeding pre-recession marks.

33. Boyd Says Luttrell Endorsement is ‘Partnership’ - Friday, July 28, 2017

Republican contender for Tennessee governor Randy Boyd says his endorsement this week by Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell is more like a partnership.

34. Last Word: Alexander and Corker Differ, Instant Runoff React and Kroger On Hold - Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Tennessee’s two U.S. Senators split their votes Tuesday in Washington on the vote that followed the vote to open debate on a repeal and replacement of Obamacare. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker both voted yes on the debate motion. But then Corker was one of the nine Republican Senate votes that killed the Obamacare replacement plan known as BCRA, while Alexander voted for it.

35. Riverfront Concept Plan Emphasizes Connections, River Access - Wednesday, July 19, 2017

A pedestrian bridge between the southern tip of Mud Island and Riverside Drive, more pedestrian use of Riverside Drive, a pavilion at Tom Lee Park and greater access to the edge of the Mississippi River are among the elements of a riverfront concept plan outlined Tuesday, July 18, by a Chicago architecture and urban design firm.

36. Last Word: Rumors, The Return of Tyreke Evans and Broadband in Millington - Monday, July 10, 2017

There is a popular saying attributed to Winston Churchill that goes like this: “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” Even before social media, that was certainly the case in this part of the world called Memphis. The part of our history that doesn’t fit in books is littered with rumors that turned the city upside down in a much shorter period of time than it took to repair the damage done. That is what happened this weekend with Memphis Light Gas and Water.

37. Barksdale Fertilizes Relationships Through Agriculture - Friday, June 30, 2017

William Barksdale is just off a trip to China, but he’s reminiscing about the Mississippi Delta. On sultry summer days spent alongside his father, walking the rows of soybean and cotton fields, Barksdale grew into an awareness of the nobility of farming – the simple grace involved in raising crops that will feed and clothe people.

38. UTHSC Hosting Pharmaceutical Safety Conference - Tuesday, June 27, 2017

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is working toward playing a major role in the safety and quality of medical products and the global pharmaceutical supply chain.

Its latest step in that direction is the university’s designation as a Center of Excellence in global medical product quality and pharmaceutical supply chain security. That comes from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, an international forum supporting economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

39. Arlington Neighborhood Thriving Despite Investor Activity - Monday, June 19, 2017

The Village of Summer Meadows subdivision located off Milton Wilson Drive just north of Interstate 40, behind Arlington High School, is a hot spot for local investors and national hedge funds.

40. Hardy: EDGE’s MWBE Program Not Working - Tuesday, May 23, 2017

The chairwoman of the Greater Memphis Chamber board said first indications are that minority business requirements in tax breaks awarded by the Economic Development Growth Engine – or EDGE – aren’t working.

41. Eighteen Startup Teams Set to Begin ‘Summer of Acceleration’ in Memphis - Thursday, May 4, 2017

Eighteen startup teams this week have kicked off the “Summer of Acceleration,” the season of joint accelerator programming across six startup accelerators overseen by the EPIcenter, Memphis Bioworks and Start Co.

42. Events - Saturday, April 22, 2017

The 31st annual Africa in April Cultural Awareness Festival will take place Friday through Sunday, April 21-23, in Robert R. Church Park (Fourth and Beale streets). The festival will showcase the Republic of Togo from an international perspective, with music, food, a diverse cultural marketplace and more. Hours are 8 a.m. until late night; admission is $5. Visit the festival’s Facebook page for a complete schedule.

43. Binghampton’s Diverse Culture On Display at Kaleidoscope Festival - Wednesday, April 12, 2017

With nearly 20 nationalities calling Binghampton home, the neighborhood possibly is the most culturally diverse in Memphis.

That diversity will be celebrated Saturday, April 15, at Wiseacre Brewing Co. with Kaleidoscope, a multicultural food festival that will present a variety of food entrepreneurs serving up unique goodness from their homes. The food festival is the culmination of work over the past year to support refugee and immigrant food entrepreneurs in the Binghampton community.

44. Last Word: Basketball Capitol, Gang Fight in Southwest Memphis and Moving Polk - Monday, March 27, 2017

There is something to be said for hosting a round of the NCAA’s March Madness without having a team in the playoffs. Much to be said against it. But after a weekend of what I think most of us here will call the most compelling of the regionals featured prominently on national television, you really can find very little to complain about. It might even have rekindled the intensity of our civic love of basketball.

45. Genetic Code - Saturday, March 25, 2017

While the anachronistic farmer trope may be a common pop-culture perception, these stewards of the land have in fact been on the cutting edge of technology for thousands of years.

And every milestone since the Neolithic period, from the first plows to today’s automated tractors, has allowed farmers to increase their yields and support a perpetually growing population.

46. Winners Are Adopting Change - Wednesday, March 8, 2017

As I reflect over the companies large and small that I have had the privilege to partner with over the past decade, there is a theme across those who have consistently improved and grown. That common thread is a culture of receptivity to change that permeates from senior-most leadership to the front line. 

47. EDGE, U of M Partner to Create Regional Economic Database - Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The University of Memphis’ Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research and the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County announced they will be working together to develop a data warehouse, web portal and associated editorial content.

48. State Of The Suburbs - Saturday, February 11, 2017

With its central location, unparalleled access to major roads, rails, runways and rivers and low cost-of-living, it’s no surprise that Memphis and the surrounding area is a popular destination for corporate headquarters, national retail brands and major industrial centers.

49. Report Measures Memphis’ Maker Economy - Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Memphis is a veritable “maker city,” a metropolis with a bustling creative economy of artisans and similar entrepreneurs building small enterprises around everything from technology to handcrafted jewelry to packaged foods.

50. Midtown Retail Property Sells for $5 Million - Thursday, December 29, 2016

1625 Poplar Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104 

Sale Amount: $5 million

Sale Date: Dec. 21, 2016

51. Cordova’s Future LA Fitness Site Sells for $2.4M - Monday, December 26, 2016

LA Fitness is one step closer to opening a Cordova location.

Insomnia Inc., the company owned by former topless-club operator Steve Cooper, sold two parcels near its former restaurant/nightclub on Fischer Steel Road to Orlando, Florida-based National Retail Properties Inc. for $2.4 million, according to a Dec. 20 warranty deed. The same day as the sale, Fitness International LLC, an affiliate of L.A. Fitness International LLC, signed a lease with National Retail Properties for the property.

52. Developer Buys Former Merle Norman Warehouse - Thursday, December 22, 2016

3670 S. Perkins Road

Memphis, TN 38118

Sale Amount: $1.3 million

Sale Date: December 2016

Buyer: Farnsworth Investment Co.

53. 2 Family Dollar Locations Sell for $2.6 Million - Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Marketplace Development LLC has sold two Memphis properties housing Family Dollar stores to FD Retail Properties LLC for a combined $2.6 million.

54. Five Fresh Ways to Add Value - Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Any salesperson who’s been in the game for more than a day knows that products and services aren’t sold based on price. Top sales pros first focus on the value of what they are selling and how it can best meet the customer’s needs. 

55. Events - Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The Project Management Institute Memphis Chapter and Mid-South Health Care Executives will host a panel discussion on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Crescent Club, 6075 Poplar Ave., suite 909. Three experts will discuss cybersecurity and information technology security alignment with a company’s or industry’s regulations, business goals and organizational risk. Visit pmimemphis.org for details.

56. Events - Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Talk Shoppe will meet Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the University of Phoenix’s Memphis campus, 65 Germantown Court, first floor. Erich Eurich of FocalPoint Business Coaching will present “2017 Starts Now: Hit the ground running through effective goal setting.” Cost is free. Visit talkshoppe.com.

57. Events - Monday, November 7, 2016

Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County will host a volunteer orientation on Monday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. at HSMSC, 935 Farm Road. The orientation is the first step to becoming a volunteer for the organization. Visit memphishumane.org or call 901-937-3900 for details.

58. Midtown Kroger Opens With Pedestrian Focus on Busy Union Avenue - Thursday, November 3, 2016

The carillon at Idlewild Presbyterian Church played the University of Memphis fight song Wednesday, Nov. 2, as the parking lot of the Midtown Kroger filled with cars. A block away a fire truck’s siren mixed with the church bells as the truck left the Union Avenue fire station to a call.

59. Last Word: Timing The Recovery, The Problem With Car Lots and UT Bricks - Wednesday, November 2, 2016

The recovery from the worst national economic downturn since the Great Depression has been slow and long. Any optimism about the growth we are seeing, particularly in commercial real estate, is tempered by thoughts about when the recovery might take another inevitable dip – even if it’s not as bad as what we saw starting in 2008 and 2009.

60. Commissioners Clash on Pot and PILOT - Wednesday, November 2, 2016

A pot ordinance for unincorporated areas of Shelby County got only four votes Monday, Oct. 31, from the county commission but still advanced to second reading, and commissioners could not agree on a resolution opposing a Nov. 8 ballot question that would shift MLGW funds to the city of Memphis.

61. Industrial Real Estate Competition Heats Up Between DeSoto, Marshall - Saturday, October 29, 2016

A North Mississippi industrial park more than 10 years in the making is reaching the finish line. By next May, Hillwood Investment Co. will wrap construction on a 947,000-square-foot warehouse on the final parcel in the DeSoto Trade Center.

62. Last Word: MAA and TraVure, JT Votes Early and Minority Biz Momentum - Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Big news overnight for one of several corporate headquarters moves we’ve been watching in the last year. Mid-America Apartments LP is poised to become the anchor of the TraVure mixed-use development on the western side of Germantown.

63. Last Word: Stop & Frisk, Council Day and The Big 12 Holds What It's Got - Tuesday, October 18, 2016

We had quite the conversation with the two leaders of the Memphis-Shelby Crime Commission about “stop and frisk” and what will be in the upcoming draft of a new Operation: Safe Community plan for Memphis.

64. Gauging the Feasibility of Historic Museum - Tuesday, October 4, 2016

As I watched the grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on television, I was filled with excitement and emotion. I was excited about this historic moment and what it means for the African-American community and the nation.

65. BBB Names Crowder Director Of Business Development - Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Carol Crowder has joined the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South as director of business development, responsible for increasing the number of BBB-accredited businesses and growing revenue throughout the 28 counties that BBB of the Mid-South serves. She also will work with accredited areas to help them take advantage of BBB services to help them promote and grow their businesses. Crowder has more than 20 years’ experience in sales, marketing and operations. She previously served as an associate director for ALSAC/St. Jude. 

66. Patent-holders Feel More Secure Thanks To Patent-infringement Lawsuit Ruling - Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Imagine that you are an innovator in the field of widgets and you have invented the next great widget. To protect your invention, you patent it.

Your archrival, who doesn’t believe in research and development, knows about your invention and knows about your patent. Yet much like a pirate, he blatantly copies your product – which he knows is covered by the patent – and sells it in the marketplace.

67. Collierville FedEx Center Getting $12.7 Million Renovation - Thursday, June 16, 2016

3860 S. Forest Hill-Irene Road
Collierville, TN 38125
Permit Amount: $12.7 million

Owner: FedEx Corp.
Tenant: FedEx Corp.
Contractor: Grinder & Haizlip Construction
Details: Contractor Grinder & Haizlip Construction has filed a $12.7 million building permit for renovations at the FedEx World Technology Center in Collierville.
In January, the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen ratified a 20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes incentive package for the FedEx center at 3860 S. Forest Hill-Irene Road.
A term of the PILOT agreement is that FedEx has to invest $40 million in real property and personal property upgrades.
The FedEx World Technology Center has been an economic driver for the city since its 16-acre campus opened in 1998. Currently, the tech hub is the largest employer in Collierville, with 2,500 total workers and a capacity for 3,200.

68. New Starbucks Planned For Lakeland on U.S. 64 - Saturday, June 11, 2016

Starbucks is opening a coffee shop in Lakeland. The company recently filed a $500,000 building permit for an infill store at 9050 U.S. 64.

The nearest Starbucks is inside a Kroger at 9025 U.S. 64. That location is a licensed store staffed by Kroger employees and is not a standalone corporate store.

69. New Starbucks Planned for Lakeland - Thursday, June 9, 2016

Starbucks is opening a coffee shop in Lakeland. The company recently filed a $500,000 building permit for an infill store at 9050 U.S. 64.

The nearest Starbucks is inside a Kroger at 9025 U.S. 64. That location is a licensed store staffed by Kroger employees and is not a standalone corporate store.

70. Paying the Freight: A3 Freight Payment 'Re-Creates the Wheel' - Saturday, June 4, 2016

As CEO of A3 Freight Payment, Ross Harris emphasizes transparency. He speaks it, too.

“Our industry is kind of weird,” he said.

71. Tenants Named for New Germantown Parkway Strip - Saturday, May 21, 2016

A $10 million Germantown Parkway development will bring six new tenants to the area.

Dunkin’ Donuts signed a 2,000-square-foot lease for the five-acre shopping center between Fischer Steel and Moriarty roads. Pizza Rev will take a 2,400-square-foot space and Aspen Dental will take 3,500 square feet.

72. Tenants Named for New Germantown Parkway Strip - Friday, May 20, 2016

A $10 million Germantown Parkway development will bring six new tenants to the area. Dunkin’ Donuts signed a 2,000-square-foot lease for the five-acre shopping center between Fischer Steel and Moriarty roads. Pizza Rev will take a 2,400-square-foot space and Aspen Dental will take 3,500 square feet.

73. Events - Saturday, May 14, 2016

Tennessee Small Business Development Center will host a workshop on government contracting Thursday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Renaissance Business Center, 555 Beale St. The University of Tennessee’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center will teach small-business owners how to successfully compete for government contracts. Cost is free; registration required. Visit tsbdc.org/training for details.

74. The Week Ahead: May 2-8 - Monday, May 2, 2016

So, you think this is the “off-week” of the Memphis In May International Festival – the gap between the Beale Street Music Festival and the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. But, while Tom Lee Park gets a breather, there are plenty of cultural experiences to soak up across Memphis. Here's our weekly roundup of local happenings you need to know about...

75. Ikea: 'Everything's on Track' for New Memphis Store - Tuesday, April 26, 2016

A construction crew of nearly 500 is at work turning what is now a steel frame into Tennessee’s first Ikea store. This week, the crew began installing Ikea’s trademark cobalt-blue walls on the western edge of what will be a self-serve warehouse.

76. Middle Tennessee construction can’t meet demand - Saturday, April 16, 2016

When it comes to residential real estate around Middle Tennessee, there are plenty of buyers but not nearly enough sellers, says Heather Benjamin with Reliant Realty’s Benjamin McConnell Group. And new construction just can’t keep up with the demand.

77. Last Word: Tubby Time, Haslam's Veto and Africa in April's 30th Year - Friday, April 15, 2016

It was just four weeks ago that all of this talk about change at the top of the Tiger basketball chart was put to rest. Coach Josh Pastner’s performance was reviewed by the University of Memphis administration and he was staying at least for another season. Four weeks to the day of that announcement, Pastner is the new coach at Georgia Tech and we are in the first day of the Tubby Smith era at the U of M.

78. Waste Pro Inks Deals With Germantown, Gallaway - Friday, April 8, 2016

The city of Germantown as well as Gallaway in Fayette County have signed five-year contracts with Waste Pro to provide solid waste collection, disposal and recycling services to residential customers.

79. Dodging a Disaster With Volkswagen? - Saturday, March 26, 2016

Next month will mark five years since the first Passat rolled off the assembly line at Chattanooga’s Volkswagen plant. Most anniversaries are a cause for celebration.

But as Chattanoogans blow out the candles on this particular milestone they’ll be hoping that Volkswagen’s diesel emissions troubles will soon be extinguished, too, and that the new SUV model they’ll start producing this year will help VW emerge from the crisis a better and stronger company than before.

80. Old Motel Moratorium Could Go - Friday, March 4, 2016

For more than two decades it’s been a ritual of the Memphis City Council. A developer proposes a new motel or there is an ownership change at an existing motel. Either way the proposal makes its way to the council because the city requires a special use permit.

81. Retail Projects in Memphis Suburbs, Oxford Staple of Trezevant Realty Corp. - Saturday, February 27, 2016

Germantown-based Trezevant Realty Corp. has deep roots in the Mid-South commercial real estate market, and the uptick in the economy has more projects moving full-steam ahead.

82. Profit from a Growth Mindset - Wednesday, February 24, 2016

There can be many reasons that a company’s growth stalls – from competitive pressure to a rising cost of goods to the changing needs of the marketplace. The common thread among all of these challenges – and what’s really driving the stall – is the lack of a growth mindset among employees and leadership.

83. Birth of a Product Company, Part 1 - Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Editor’s note: Part one of a four-part series. A friend of mine is a stylist to the stars. If there is a movie or TV show shooting in the region, she’s on the set, making hair magic. She gets flown around the world at times. She’s in demand.

84. Doug Carpenter & Associates Rebrands as DCA - Friday, January 29, 2016

When Doug Carpenter started his eponymous advertising agency five years ago, what the name should be wasn’t too hard to figure out. It was an agency of one with the need to bank on Carpenter’s reputation in the community. So Doug Carpenter & Associates LLC was born.

85. Xedo Launches Memphis Distribution Center - Thursday, January 21, 2016

After setting up its U.S. headquarters and a 240,000-square-foot distribution facility in Memphis, as well as lining up a local tax incentive package in late 2014, a tuxedo company with an online rental platform has started taking its first orders.

86. The Grind - Saturday, January 16, 2016

For Memphis musicians like John Paul Keith, the grind is not a catchy rallying cry or slogan. It’s a philosophy, a work ethic that allows musicians like him to earn a living dedicating themselves to their craft in one of the most important music cities in the world.

87. Central Station Developers Pull $14.2M Permit for Apartments - Friday, December 4, 2015

Within days of Memphis City Council approval of the Central Station development contract, Henry Turley Co. and general contractor Montgomery Martin Contractors LLC have filed a $14.2 million building permit application for a new apartment complex at 608 S. Front St.

88. Editorial: Neighborhoods are the Battleground in Grocery Wars - Saturday, December 5, 2015

The development of grocery clusters in Germantown and Midtown raises some important questions about supermarkets in other parts of the city.

If these clusters of retailers, each aimed at different segments of a larger, overlapping market, are the reality of a supermarket business that was dominated by one chain not too long ago, how will Memphis’ food deserts be affected?

89. Memphis' Grocery Wars - Saturday, December 5, 2015

After Sprouts became one of the newest grocery chains to enter the Memphis market by opening stores in Lakeland and Germantown earlier this year, company spokesman Diego Romero described the chain’s arrival as practically a no-brainer.

90. LEDIC Plans Drone Flight School, Security Program - Thursday, November 26, 2015

LEDIC president and CEO Pierce Ledbetter is making a big bet on drones.

The Memphis-based company’s new $10.2 million headquarters will house the area’s only drone flight school intended to certify operators in the newly forming commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle marketplace. It also will include a drone manufacturing facility.

91. Study: Medical Device Industry Has $2.6B Local Impact - Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Companies like Smith & Nephew, Medtronic and Wright Medical don’t just help augment the human body as a result of the products and medical devices they manufacture.

Their products also represent something of a support structure for the Memphis economy, which is braced thanks in part to the reinforcement of the medical device industry.

92. Ready for Launch - Saturday, November 21, 2015

Five hundred new companies in 10 years. That’s the idea that founded EPIcenter, short for Entrepreneurship-Powered Innovation Center, an organization looking to catalyze the entrepreneurial movement in Memphis.

93. Marriott Becomes World's Largest Hotelier, Buying Starwood - Tuesday, November 17, 2015

NEW YORK (AP) — Hotel behemoth Marriott International is becoming even larger, taking over rival chain Starwood in a $12.2 billion deal that will catapult it to become the world's largest hotelier by a wide margin.

94. American Airlines to Launch Memphis-Phoenix Flights - Wednesday, November 11, 2015

American Airlines is launching a daily nonstop route between Memphis International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), airport leaders announced Thursday, Nov. 11.

The new service will begin March 3, leaving Memphis at 7:30 a.m. and arriving in Phoenix at 9:09 a.m. Return flights will leave Phoenix at 6:50 p.m. and arrive in Memphis at 11:42 p.m. Passengers can begin buying tickets Saturday, Nov. 14.

95. Conference Aims to Spark Positive Change, One ZIP Code at a Time - Thursday, November 5, 2015

The world can be a big place, even within one city or a single ZIP code. But the world also can be made smaller when the right kinds of lines are crossed.

Steve Nash founded nonprofit Advance Memphis in 1999, beginning an ambitious project without end. His goal: bring economic sustainability to the people living in and around the Cleaborn/Foote Homes public housing developments in South Memphis’ 38126 ZIP code, the poorest urban ZIP in Tennessee.

96. Tennessee Housing Agency Adopts Green-Building Standards - Wednesday, September 23, 2015

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency wants to build healthy communities from the ground up.

Under new guidelines to be incorporated later this year, affordable housing developers seeking Low-Income Housing Tax Credits will have to qualify for full certification from Enterprise Green Communities. The certification was first introduced nationally in 2004, and the THDA board recently approved incorporation of the revamped 2015 criteria.

97. Memphis Poised to Become Regional Anchor for Entrepreneurs - Tuesday, September 22, 2015

A federal agency’s attention to Memphis’ entrepreneurial ecosystem could bring stronger investment and resources for startups.

On Friday, Sept. 18, Memphis was the kick-off site of the Delta Challenge pitch competition, a six-city tour organized by federal-state partnership Delta Regional Authority to identify and support exceptional startups.

98. Developers Threaten to Pull Out of Mall of Memphis Site - Thursday, September 17, 2015

Developers of the former Mall of Memphis site were again delayed as the board of the Economic Development Growth Engine tabled a vote on a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes benefit for the speculative industrial site.

99. From University Labs to the Marketplace - Saturday, September 12, 2015

The health care industry contributed $38.8 billion to Middle Tennessee’s economy in 2014, according to a study released by the Nashville Health Care Council, which is a 32.9 percent increase from the 2010.

100. Affordable Homes in an Unaffordable Market - Saturday, August 22, 2015

The gold rush of residential development throughout Middle Tennessee conceals what some in the region say is a growing crisis in affordable housing.

New homes and condos come on to the market every day, and even more are under construction or still in the planning stage, but those homes are often on the higher end of the price scale.