Memphis-based AutoZone Inc. is one of the most reputable retailers in America, according to a new study.

Reputation Institute’s 2018 US Retail RepTrak, the largest corporate reputation study of its kind, bases its findings on almost 10,000 individual ratings from the U.S. general public and is based on an assessment of 88 nominated companies.

2. J.M. Smucker Preparing To Expand Memphis Plant - Saturday, September 15, 2018

Good news for lovers of biscuits and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and possibly job-seekers, too: J.M. Smucker plans to increase production at its Memphis plant.

The Ohio-based company this month applied for a building permit to carry out a $1.5 million renovation inside its production facility at 4740 Burbank Road in southeast Memphis.

3. Haslam: Memphis Has Not Been Ignored During His Administration - Friday, September 14, 2018

On the heels of gubernatorial candidates courting Memphis and calling for increased state involvement, Gov. Bill Haslam is defending his record, saying the Bluff City hasn’t been overlooked on his watch.

4. Haslam: Memphis Has Not Been Ignored During His Administration - Friday, September 14, 2018

State

Haslam: Memphis Has Not Been Ignored During His Administration

Special to The Daily News

On the heels of gubernatorial candidates courting Memphis and calling for increased state involvement, Gov. Bill Haslam is defending his record, saying the Bluff City hasn’t been overlooked on his watch.

5. FedEx Ramps Up Ground Operations with Plans for More Employees, Longer Workweek - Wednesday, September 12, 2018

E-commerce growth is driving FedEx’s plans to add 55,000 employees this holiday season, increase workers’ hours and permanently run its U.S. ground parcel operation six days a week.

The Memphis-based company announced the moves Wednesday, Sept. 12, as it ramps up for what’s expected to be another record package volume during the peak season from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

6. Suburban Superintendents Mark Fifth School Year in Changing Times for Education - Tuesday, September 11, 2018

When he began creating the Bartlett City Schools system five years ago, superintendent David Stephens had more middle schools than he had middle school students in the suburban city. And the high school-aged population was split between Bartlett and Bolton high schools.

7. J.M. Smucker Preparing To Expand Memphis Operations - Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Good news for lovers of biscuits and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and possibly job-seekers, too: J.M. Smucker plans to increase production at its Memphis plant.

The Ohio-based company this month applied for a building permit to carry out a $1.5 million renovation inside its production facility at 4740 Burbank Road in southeast Memphis.

8. AutoZone Among Most Reputable Retailers in America - Monday, September 10, 2018

Memphis-based AutoZone Inc. is one of the most reputable retailers in America, according to a new study.

Reputation Institute’s 2018 US Retail RepTrak, the largest corporate reputation study of its kind, bases its findings on almost 10,000 individual ratings from the U.S. general public and is based on an assessment of 88 nominated companies.

9. Blazing Trails - Saturday, September 8, 2018

What a difference a decade can make. Successful local entrepreneurs like Muddy’s Bake Shop founder Kat Gordon, Hollywood Feed president Shawn McGhee, and executive chefs and owners Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman at Enjoy A|M Restaurant Group spent that time growing their small businesses into thriving enterprises over that time.

10. Karl Dean Pledges Bigger State Role in Memphis Economic Development - Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Karl Dean, the Democratic nominee for governor, says each of the 61 days he has campaigned in Memphis, someone has complained that the city has “been cut adrift by the state of Tennessee.”

11. Democratic Nominee for Governor Pledges Bigger State Role in Memphis Economic Development - Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Karl Dean, the Democratic nominee for governor, says each of the 61 days he has campaigned in Memphis, someone has complained that the city has “been cut adrift by the state of Tennessee.”

12. Accounting for Music - Wednesday, August 29, 2018

For veteran accountant and accomplished musician Steve Dunavant, balancing his two passions – music and accounting – is easy. For more than 20 years, he has maintained music as a side gig, playing multiple instruments around town, recording albums, and creating a music label and recording studio to help showcase Memphis musicians. During his weekdays, he crunches numbers as CBIZ senior managing director.

13. Crosstown Concourse Leaders Switch Financing - Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Crosstown Concourse now has permanent financing that replaces a complex mosaic of financing from dozens of institutions that allowed the renovation and readaptation of the 1.5-million-square-foot landmark.

14. REI Sets Plans For Memphis Grand Opening - Saturday, August 18, 2018

REI is planning special events and giveaways for the opening weekend of its Memphis store, Aug. 24-26.

The outdoor retailer’s grand opening at 5897 Poplar Ave. in Ridgeway Trace Center will feature parking-lot parties with free breakfast, music, games and REI Outdoor School programs. The events start at 8 a.m. Aug. 24-25 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 26, and end at noon each day.

15. REI Sets Plans For Memphis Grand Opening - Thursday, August 16, 2018

REI is planning special events and giveaways for the opening weekend of its Memphis store, Aug. 24-26.

The outdoor retailer’s grand opening at 5897 Poplar Ave. in Ridgeway Trace Center will feature parking-lot parties with free breakfast, music, games and REI Outdoor School programs. The events start at 8 a.m. Aug. 24-25 and 9 a.m. on Aug. 26, and end at noon each day.

16. Why Local One Commerce Square Owners Are Selling to Out-of-State Investors - Wednesday, August 15, 2018

After successfully renovating the 29-story iBank Tower in Downtown Memphis, the work is done for a group of prominent Memphis investors as they prepare to sell the office building to a new owner with deeper pockets.

17. A Costly Ride - Saturday, August 11, 2018

Memphis is poised to adopt a transit plan that promises a big economic splash, but first supporters must sell the general public on a $30 million annual price tag before any transformation occurs.

“Everyone in Memphis has an interest in a good, effective transit system,” said Mayor Jim Strickland, already in promotion mode, “even if you never get on a bus.”

18. ABB Expanding Facility, Adding Jobs in Athens - Tuesday, August 7, 2018

ABB, a global industrial technology company that acquired Memphis-based Thomas & Betts Corp. in 2012, will expand its operations in Athens, creating up to 70 new jobs in McMinn County, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced Monday, Aug. 6.

19. Airport Authority Renews Smaller Deal With Grizzlies - Saturday, August 4, 2018

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority has extended a scaled-back version of its marketing partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies so it can invest those advertising dollars elsewhere.

The MSCAA board of commissioners approved Thursday, July 26, a three-year extension of the marketing contract the airport authority has with Memphis Basketball Inc., the parent company of the Grizzlies.

20. Airport Authority Renews Smaller Marketing Deal With Grizzlies - Monday, July 30, 2018

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority has extended a scaled-back version of its marketing partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies so it can invest those advertising dollars elsewhere.

The MSCAA board of commissioners approved Thursday, July 26, a three-year extension of the marketing contract the airport authority has with Memphis Basketball Inc., the parent company of the Grizzlies.

21. Memphis Airport Scales Back Partnership With Grizzlies - Friday, July 27, 2018

The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority has extended a scaled-back version of its marketing partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies so it can invest those advertising dollars elsewhere.

The MSCAA board of commissioners approved Thursday, July 26, a three-year extension of the marketing contract the airport authority has with Memphis Basketball Inc., the parent company of the Grizzlies.

22. Poplar Corridor TIF Gets First Green Light - Thursday, July 26, 2018

The board of the city-county Economic Development Growth Engine approved a tax increment financing, or TIF, district for the Poplar Avenue business corridor Wednesday, July 25, after a debate about the use of city and county property tax revenue in a corridor with an estimated $1 billion in appraised property.

23. Trucking Firm Seeks PILOT to Relocate HQ to Vacated American Way Strip Center - Saturday, July 21, 2018

The vacated Circuit City on American Way could become the corporate headquarters of a Memphis-based trucking company that serves FedEx, Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers.

JNJ Logistics LLC is seeking a 15-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes incentive to move from the Getwell Road location it has outgrown and invest $20.5 million to redevelop a former electronics store and shopping center on American Way into its new corporate headquarters.

24. The Daily Memphian to Launch in Fall as Memphis' Definitive News Source - Monday, July 16, 2018

A new seven-days-a-week news outlet called The Daily Memphian will make its debut this fall, with many of the biggest names in Memphis journalism and a unique not-for-profit funding model. The ambitious effort’s goal is to become the city’s definitive news source with reporting of, by and for Memphis.

25. What Do Statewide Candidates Say About Education in Tennessee? - Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Gov. Bill Haslam and the General Assembly have invested in education during the last eight years. Has that been a good investment and should it continue? What do the candidates propose for the next four to eight years?

26. Bike Share, Greenway and Bike Lane Efforts Point Toward Common Goal - Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Four years after it made its tentative debut with the opening of the Overton Park Bike Gate, the Hampline, across East Parkway from the eastern end of Overton Park, is about to become permanent.

“The Hampline that exists today is about to be changed,” city bikeway and pedestrian program manager Nicholas Oyler said on WKNO-TV’s “Behind The Headlines.”

27. Council Approves 13-Year Contract with MRPP - Thursday, June 21, 2018

Memphis City Council members gave the Memphis River Parks Partnership a 13-year contract to manage and operate the city’s riverside parks Tuesday, June 19, with a 10-year renewal option.

The MRPP, which until earlier this year was the Riverfront Development Corp., sought a 10-year contract with the city in order to promote the stability of the organization in drawing private and philanthropic funding for the city’s riverfront plan.

28. Council Approves 13-Year Contract with MRPP, Makes End of Fiscal Year Moves - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Memphis City Council members gave the Memphis River Parks Partnership a 13-year contract to manage and operate the city’s riverside parks Tuesday, June 19, with a 10-year renewal option.

The MRPP, which until earlier this year was the Riverfront Development Corp., sought a 10-year contract with the city in order to promote the stability of the organization in drawing private and philanthropic funding for the city’s riverfront plan.

29. Council Approves 13-Year Contract With MRPP, Makes End of Fiscal Year Moves - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Memphis City Council members gave the Memphis River Parks Partnership a 13-year contract to manage and operate the city’s riverside parks Tuesday, June 19, with a 10-year renewal option.

The MRPP, which until earlier this year was the Riverfront Development Corp., sought a 10-year contract with the city in order to promote the stability of the organization in drawing private and philanthropic funding for the city’s riverfront plan.

30. County Commission Leaves Only Tax Rate Undone In Budget Season - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Shelby County commissioners took final action Monday, June 18, on every item in its budget season except a final approval of a $4.05 county property tax rate.

The approval of a $1.3 billion county consolidated operating budget and a $90.2 million capital budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 came with unanimous votes by the 13-member body.

31. County Commission Leaves Only Tax Rate Undone in Budget Season - Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Shelby County commissioners took final action Monday, June 18, on every item in its budget season except a final approval of a $4.05 county property tax rate.

The approval of a $1.3 billion county consolidated operating budget and a $90.2 million capital

32. Harris and Lenoir Clash in First General Election Mayoral Debate - Thursday, June 14, 2018

The two contenders for Shelby County mayor on the Aug. 2 ballot differed Wednesday, June 13, on leadership experience and whether county government has been breaking ground on important issues or has taken too long to act on those issues.

33. Corky’s BBQ Eyes Southeast Expansion Under New Partnership - Thursday, June 14, 2018

More and more people across the Southeast will be getting the chance to enjoy Memphis-style barbecue thanks to a new partnership announced Friday between Corky’s BBQ and Dobbs Equity Partners LLC. The deal will help Corky’s to expand its corporate-owned brick-and-mortar footprint, with plans to open 15 additional stores over the next three years, as well as invest and expand the Corky’s food manufacturing and distribution operations.

34. Going Global - Saturday, June 9, 2018

Over the past two years, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has extended its global reach in a variety of ways, forging new partnerships and alliances to further research efforts for pediatric cancer and blood disorders while investing more than $1 billion to substantially grow its Memphis headquarters.

35. Rockwell Automation Moving Memphis Operations to Indiana - Wednesday, June 6, 2018

WHITESTOWN, Ind. (AP) – A company that specializes in industrial automation and information plans to establish operations in central Indiana to consolidate the work of existing distribution centers in Illinois and Tennessee.

36. Merging Past, Present - Wednesday, May 30, 2018

The Medical Arts Building at the corner of Madison Avenue and Fourth Street in Downtown Memphis, much like its hometown, has seen its share of ups and downs for nearly a century.

But as the city continues to reinvent itself, Walk-Off Properties, the building’s current owner, is also in the process of reimaging the iconic property.

37. Bitcoin Fans Rave, But Understand It’s Still a Risky Business - Monday, May 28, 2018

By now, anyone who follows Wall Street even slightly has heard of cryptocurrency and its most famous spawn – bitcoin, which launched in 2009 but grabbed headlines last year for its wild swings in valuation.

38. Blockchain Tech ‘is the Shiny New Penny’ - Monday, May 28, 2018

During the General Assembly session that just ended legislators debated a number of hot-button issues: guns, abortion, Confederate statues and medical marijuana.

But tucked among the headline-grabbers was a brief bill, less than 300 words long, that attracted no controversy whatsoever.

39. Crosstown Crossroads - Saturday, May 26, 2018

When Octavia Young opened Midtown Crossing Grill in 2014, the area around what would eventually become the Crosstown Concourse was a lot different than it is now.

Though there were some agreements in place at the time, there were no guarantees that the wildly ambitious but risky project would a success, and even if it was, there was no telling how long it would take for that success to spill out into the surrounding neighborhood.

40. TDZ Expansion Seen As Catalyst for 'Public Realm' Work - Friday, May 25, 2018

In the five weeks since the Riverfront Development Corporation became the Memphis River Parks Partnership, Greenbelt Park on Mud Island and Martyr’s Park on the Memphis mainland have gotten some rehabbed park benches. The bench work includes the Bluffwalk as well as work on the RiverLine trail that runs behind the flood walls on the other side from the Pyramid.

41. Last Word: Monuments Ruling, The Open Council Seat and Not So Great Streets - Thursday, May 17, 2018

It is likely just the first round. But the city of Memphis prevailed on every major point in the Wednesday ruling out of Nashville by Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle upholding the removal of Confederate monuments this past December from two city parks.

42. Faropoint Sells Two Olive Branch Retail Centers for Almost $10M - Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Faropoint Ventures continues to remain active in the Greater Memphis Area with the sale of two Olive Branch retail centers for a combined $9.24 million.

NAI Saig Co. executive vice president Brian Califf and Elliot Embry negotiated the sale of the more than 54,000 square feet of retail space by representing Faropoint in the deal.

43. Faropoint Converting ‘Diamond In The Rough’ - Tuesday, May 15, 2018

So far this year Faropoint Ventures has already acquired $37 million in property in the Memphis area and has its sights set on another $38 million by year’s end.

But of all those properties, one in particular stood out to NAI Saig Co.’s Hank Martin and Brian Califf, who are representing Faropoint in the Memphis market.

44. Last Word: New Football League, Drone Testing and New Chandler Numbers - Thursday, May 10, 2018

The Alliance of American Football announces its presence in Memphis Thursday afternoon at the Liberty Bowl. And so begins another chapter in the city’s colorful history of start-up leagues. It is a long history dominated by football with a good stretch of the timeline taking in the city’s pursuit of an NFL franchise. Sometimes the rules are a bit different and the leagues have a history of not lasting very long. But they are fondly remembered.

45. Memphis Startup Soundways Wins $200,000 in Rise of the Rest Competition - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Memphis startup company Soundways, which helps professionals in the music industry collect unpaid royalties, won a $100,000 investment from Steve Case and other entrepreneurs as part of the Rise of the Rest tour that stopped in the Bluff City Tuesday, May 8.

46. Memphis Startup Soundways Wins $200,000 in Rise of the Rest Competition - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Memphis startup company Soundways, which helps professionals in the music industry collect unpaid royalties, won a $100,000 investment from Steve Case and other entrepreneurs as part of the Rise of the Rest tour that stopped in the Bluff City Tuesday, May 8.

47. Last Word: Veto Override Drama, Iran Reaction & Rise of the Rest Meets Soundways - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Shelby County Commissioners have a busy committee day Wednesday with a budget presentation – county mayor Mark Luttrell’s final one as the county’s chief executive, more discussions about the Graceland plan and a veto override.

48. Young Says Construction About to Begin on South City Residential - Tuesday, May 1, 2018

South City is about to begin construction east of Danny Thomas Boulevard and the road to construction has had some unexpected turns. “There’s a certain amount of anxiety when you talk about these big projects because people don’t know whether it’s actually going to happen or not,” Memphis Housing and Community Development Division director Paul Young said on the WKNO/Channel 10 program “Behind The Headlines.”

49. Mona Esthetics Invests Nearly Half a Million in New Lasers - Friday, April 27, 2018

Mona Sappenfield recently invested nearly $500,000 in all new state-of-the-art lasers to help maintain Mona Esthetics’ pioneer status in an ever-evolving industry.

50. Around Memphis: April 23, 2018 - Monday, April 23, 2018

The Daily News offers a weekly roundup of Memphis-related headlines from around the web, adding context and new perspectives to the original content we produce on a daily basis. Here are some recent stories worth checking out…

51. EDGE Approves Trio of Tax Abatements - Thursday, April 19, 2018

The Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County approved a trio of tax abatement packages during its Wednesday April 18 meeting.

Massachusetts-based Franklin Sports Inc. was awarded a six-year Jobs PILOT to build a 250,000- to 300,000-square-foot warehouse adjacent to its Memphis distribution center at 5510 Getwell Road, adding 27 new jobs with an average salary of $39,722, excluding benefits.

52. Designing the Future - Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Legacy banking institutions like Regions Bank increasingly want their brick-and-mortar locations to look like something other than, well, a bank.

53. New Plans Would Change Memphis Medical District - Tuesday, April 17, 2018

With 27,000 people who either work or attend classes in the Memphis Medical District, and about 375 acres of parking space, something has to give.

Following last week’s release of a reconfigured city bus system plan and a new shuttle system that the Memphis Medical District Collaborative is working on, officials hope to convince 2,500 people to leave their cars at home.

54. 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...

55. 3 Companies Seek Abatements for Memphis Projects - Saturday, April 14, 2018

Sports equipment manufacturer Franklin Sports Inc., pharmacy services provider Enclara Pharmacia Inc. and petroleum distributor OMO Energy & Technology Inc. will all make their cases for tax incentives when the Economic Development Growth Engine meets Wednesday, April 18.

56. New Details on Downtown Hotel, Clark Tower Lands Another Tenant - Monday, April 9, 2018

477 S. Main St.
Memphis, TN 38103

Application Date: April 10

Owner: South Main Hotel LLC

57. Young Takes Helm at MLGW With Look At Storm Measures, Better Communication - Tuesday, April 3, 2018

The new president and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division has seen a storm or two in his career, including hurricanes.

“No two storms are the same,” J.T. Young said of his experience as general manager of customer service and marketing for Gulf Power in Pensacola, Florida.

58. Heritage Trail Loops Open Amidst MLK50 Preparations - Monday, April 2, 2018

As city crews were moving the Mountaintop sculpture into place at the new MLK Reflection Park and the nearby I Am A Man Plaza was getting one last patch of cement Friday, March 30, a tour bus came through as preparations were being made for the city’s MLK50 observances.

59. Explore Bike Share Reveals Station Locations - Wednesday, March 28, 2018

The launch of Explore Bike Share is getting closer with the nonprofit revealing Wednesday, March 28, the locations of the stations for the 600-bike system.

Explore Bike Share’s 60 stations span from Downtown, South Memphis and Cooper-Young to Orange Mound, Overton Square and Crosstown. The stations and bikes are being funded through a combination of donations from foundations and individuals, plus a $2.2 million federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant, said Explore Bike Share executive director Trey Moore.

60. Boyle Investment Co. Celebrating 85th Year - Monday, March 26, 2018

Boyle Investment Co. celebrated its 85th anniversary with a luncheon on Friday, March 23, for its 113 employees on the top floor of its new Class A office building at 949 S. Shady Grove Road.

61. EPE Expansion in Limbo, Overton Square Restaurant Sets Opening Date - Monday, March 26, 2018

3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116

Project Cost: $22 million

Owner: Elvis Presley Enterprises

Details: Elvis Presley Enterprises’ expansion plans have been put on hold for the second straight month as the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County board continues to sort out if any implications will stem from approving bond financing for the Whitehaven project.

62. Tenn.'s Road, Infrastructure Systems Problem Shared Across State - Saturday, March 24, 2018

Though we often complain about our government, we count on it every day, in large ways and small.

An example of a small way … potholes. Which don’t seem like a small issue after they cause your tire(s) to blow out.

63. EPE Expansion Plans Placed on Hold Again - Thursday, March 22, 2018

Elvis Presley Enterprises’ expansion plans have been put on hold for the second straight month as the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County board continues to sort out what, if any, implications will stem from approving bond financing for the Whitehaven project.

64. Onyx, Barrett Distribution Seek Tax Breaks - Wednesday, March 21, 2018

A medical device manufacturer and a third-party distribution center operator will be seeking tax abatements from the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County to expand their respective footprints in the area.

65. Medical Device Maker, Distribution Company Seeking Tax Abatements - Tuesday, March 20, 2018

A medical device manufacturer and a third-party distribution center operator will be seeking tax abatements from the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County to expand their respective footprints in the area.

66. Memphis Investment Firm Wins Industry Award - Saturday, March 17, 2018

Highland Capital Management in Memphis has been awarded a Top Guns designation by Informa Investment Solutions’ PSN manager database, North America’s longest-running database of investment managers.

67. Last Word: The Memphis Hub Modernization, Gun Protests and MLK 50 Plans - Thursday, March 15, 2018

Back in January, the FedEx board approved a $3.2 billion package that had pay raises, bonuses and similar items that have become the corporate reaction to federal tax reform that set a lower rate of taxation for companies that repatriate money they have overseas. There was a mention of $1.5 billion for the Indianapolis hub and unspecified plans for the Memphis hub to come later. And later was yesterday in a pretty modest announcement at Signature Air given the scope of what FedEx has planned for its Super Hub here.

68. FedEx Investing $1 Billion in Memphis Hub Modernization - Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Memphis-based FedEx Corp. will spend $1 billion on a modernization of its Memphis hub over a six-year period, company founder, chairman and CEO Fred Smith announced Wednesday, March 14.

69. Memphis Investment Firm Wins Industry Award - Monday, March 12, 2018

Highland Capital Management in Memphis has been awarded a Top Guns designation by Informa Investment Solutions’ PSN manager database, North America’s longest-running database of investment managers.

70. No Luck Investing - Friday, March 9, 2018

Ray’s Take: A rabbit’s foot on a string. A silver dollar. A four-leaf clover. A lucky penny. These are all lyrics from a 1961 song by our very own Memphis legend, Elvis Presley, titled “Good Luck Charm.”

71. Tubby Time - Thursday, March 8, 2018

At various points in his life, Guffrie Smith was a soldier, a barber, a farmer, and a school bus driver. These are not jobs that reward impatience. If you’re inpatient in those occupations, you or someone else gets hurt.

72. EDGE Chairman Responds to Chamber Criticism - Thursday, March 8, 2018

A March 1 meeting of City Council and County Commission members who questioned the respective roles of the Greater Memphis Chamber and EDGE in recruiting new jobs to Memphis has prompted another response.

73. Last Word: Penny Turns Up, Boots to Tickets and Ag Innovation - Wednesday, March 7, 2018

So it begins as it always does in the world of Tigers basketball. Gary Parrish of CBSSports reporting the University of Memphis is considering a change from Tubby Smith to Penny Hardaway. Hardaway’s name last surfaced during the exit of Josh Pastner. This time around, the report is that Hardaway has already started rounding up possible staff members. This will either vanish with a very quiet poof and University officials saying they always review their options at the end of the regular season or it will move swiftly to an announced deal.

74. AgLaunch Finds Traction In Intersection of Startups, Investors and Farmers - Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Jan Bouten, a partner in Innova, the local early stage investment capital group, has some basic standards when deciding on startup companies to invest in.

He looks for “a solid team with a lot of experience in business” and the founders of AgriSync, an Iowa ag tech startup, checked that box.

75. Weaver Joins Paragon Bank As Senior Loan Officer - Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Steve Weaver has been appointed senior vice president, senior loan officer, at Paragon Bank. He brings with him more than 27 years’ experience in the banking industry, most recently at Simmons Bank, where he served as Southwest Tennessee market president and spearheaded the institution’s entry into the Memphis market in 2013.

76. 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.

77. Last Word: Filing Deadline, Case & Vance In May and Paul Manafort at the Rivermont - Thursday, February 15, 2018

By our count, when the noon Thursday deadline for candidates in the May county primaries has come and gone, there could be -- could be -- four incumbent county commissioners who are effectively re-elected to their seats for another four-year term. And we already know the commission will have at least seven new faces in September. More interesting is that there are only four sets of primaries – all for countywide offices – that have multiple contenders in each primary. That’s out of 23 offices on the primary ballot.

78. Case, Vance Bringing 'Rise of the Rest' Startup Fund to Memphis This May - Wednesday, February 14, 2018

The co-founder of America Online is coming to Memphis this May with his investment fund to hear pitches from local startup companies and award $100,000 in seed funding to one of them.

Steve Case, the chairman and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm Revolution, and venture capitalist and author J.D. Vance are leading the second leg of the current Rise of the Rest bus tour. Rise of the Rest is also the name of the seed fund.

79. Lucite Business, Local Plant Being Acquired by Plaskolite - Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Acrylic sheet products manufacturer Plaskolite LLC announced late Monday 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.

80. 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.

81. ATA Expands Memphis Presence With Cannon & Co. Acquisition - Saturday, February 10, 2018

Regional accounting firm Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC kicked off the new year with the acquisition of Memphis-based Cannon & Co., strengthening its footprint in the market with an eye on future growth and expansion.

82. Memphis Health Care Facility Under Investigation - Saturday, February 3, 2018

The Tennessee Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services department is investigating the care home were a woman who died outside City Hall earlier this month lived.

Shelley Thompson was reported missing the day before her body was found on a park bench outside City Hall. She lived at Taylor Brown Garden Healthcare facility, 111 Lucy Ave., which has been licensed by the state since October 2008.

83. Resiliency Concept Goes Broader With Master Plan - Friday, February 2, 2018

With three projects about to start moving dirt and $60 million in federal funding to do them, the concept of resiliency in Shelby County is moving, even though it’s in the shadows of other plans such as the Mid-South Greenprint and the development of the Wolf River Greenway.

84. Target Fulfillment Center Closing, Vendor Laying Off 486 Memphis Workers - Thursday, February 1, 2018

A Target fulfillment center in southeast Memphis is closing in April, resulting in 486 layoffs.

Radial, a third-party logistics firm that manages the distribution center for Target Corp., has filed notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development that the permanent layoffs at its 5461 Davidson Road facility will start April 7 and continue through April 30.

85. Target Fulfillment Center Closing, Vendor Laying Off 486 Memphis Workers - Tuesday, January 30, 2018

A Target fulfillment center in southeast Memphis is closing in April, resulting in 486 layoffs.

Radial, a third-party logistics firm that manages the distribution center for Target Corp., has filed notice with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development that the permanent layoffs at its 5461 Davidson Road facility will start April 7 and continue through April 30. 

86. Last Word: End of the Camp Out, Megasite Views and The Glory Years - Monday, January 29, 2018

No camp out this year for the opening of applications for optional schools because it is online at Shelby County Schools this year. Also the applications are available at the same time – Monday morning at 10 a.m. – for the open enrollment at any other SCS school that has available space. Those were some hardcore campers that in some cases had been at this for a couple of generations. Persisting through barcodes and a 99.9 percent probability that their first choice of school would happen without the tent, generator and heaters.

87. Memphis Health Care Facility Under Investigation by State - Monday, January 29, 2018

The Tennessee Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services department is investigating the care home were a woman who died outside City Hall earlier this month lived.

Shelley Thompson was reported missing the day before her body was found on a park bench outside City Hall. She lived at Taylor Brown Garden Healthcare facility, 111 Lucy Ave., which has been licensed by the state since October 2008.

88. FedEx to Invest $3.2B in Wages, Pension Fund, Hub Investments - Friday, January 26, 2018

FedEx Corp. has announced it will invest $3.2 billion to enact three new programs in the wake of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the first being to increase employee compensation by more than $200 million, about two-thirds of which will go to hourly employees.

89. MEGA HYPE - Saturday, January 27, 2018

In physics the larger an atom is, the more polarizing it can become. The same can be said of real estate development. So it’s not surprising that something referred to as a megasite can incite a range of opinions that are as vast as the site itself.

90. Strength at FedEx Stands Out Among Memphis’ Fortune 500 Companies - Tuesday, January 23, 2018

The reality confronting each of Memphis’ three publicly traded Fortune 500 companies is a little different as the year gets underway, with one of them the breakaway favorite in terms of investment and opportunity.

91. Council Talks With Head of TVA, Votes on Two More Ballot Questions - Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Memphis City Council members talk with Tennessee Valley Authority president Bill Johnson Tuesday, Jan. 23, meet Mayor Jim Strickland’s nominee to replace retiring Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division president Jerry Collins and may renew discussions of electric and gas rate hikes proposed by MLGW that it voted down two weeks ago.

92. Memphis Out of Running for Amazon's Second Headquarters - Thursday, January 18, 2018

Memphis is out of the running for Amazon’s massive second headquarters. The Seattle-based ecommerce giant released a list of 20 finalists Thursday, Jan. 18, out of the 238 proposals submitted by cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

93. The Week Ahead: Jan. 15-21 - Monday, January 15, 2018

Good morning, Memphis! We hope you’re thawing out today on the last federal holiday for a while. Check out what you need to know in The Week Ahead, from the National Civil Rights Museum’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day observances to the mayor’s state of the city address and plenty of entertaining events...

94. Memphis Hilton Sale, New FedEx Hub Building Highlight Busy Week - Monday, January 15, 2018

939 Ridge Lake Blvd.

Memphis, TN 38120

Sale Amount: $31 million

Sale Date: Jan. 3, 2018

Buyer: Linchris Hotel Corp.

Seller: Davidson Hotels and Resorts

95. Northwest Co. Seeks PILOT For Distribution Facility - Saturday, January 13, 2018

The Northwest Co., an industry leader in manufacturing “branded home textiles,” is seeking a 10-year tax abatement from the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County to open a distribution facility in southeast Memphis.

96. Northwest Co. Seeks 10-Year PILOT for Distribution Facility - Friday, January 12, 2018

The Northwest Co., an industry leader in manufacturing “branded home textiles,” is seeking a 10-year tax abatement from the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County to open a distribution facility in southeast Memphis.

97. Fogelman Properties Acquires Atlanta-Area Apartments - Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Memphis-based Fogelman Properties has acquired Nesbit Ferry Crossing Apartments, a 284-unit, multifamily development in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta, Georgia.

Fogelman, which will rebrand the property as Station Heights Apartments, plans to upgrade the unit interiors and invest in enhancements to common-area amenities.

98. Getting Shovel Ready - Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Candidates for various state-level offices up for grabs in the 2018 elections used the Southwest Tennessee Development District’s annual legislative luncheon in Jackson, Tennessee, last week to share their West Tennessee-centric campaign promises.

99. Companies Boost Wages and More Post-Tax Reform - Monday, January 8, 2018

Dozens of companies, many with ties to Memphis, have pledged a series of actions that include one-time employee bonuses, charitable spending and 401(k) contribution increases, among other steps, in response to savings they expect to see from recently enacted Republican tax cuts.

100. UTHSC's Stern Proposes Substance Addiction Network - Wednesday, December 27, 2017

For Dr. David Stern of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, his interest in proposing a new pilot program to benefit those with mental health and substance use problems comes from a deeply personal as well as professional place.