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I spend every day thinking about how to best protect the residents of Memphis. How to build pathways for our community to grow wealth and opportunity. How to solve the challenges that shape quality of life, from housing and transit to safety and economic mobility.
This week was no different. Only this time, those conversations expanded beyond our city limits. I sat with my fellow mayors and regional partners. We were joined by national experts who brought data, perspective, and a sense of urgency. Together, at the MidSouth Development District’s (MDD) State of the Region Summit, we examined the state of our region and the future we can build when we move as one.
“We cannot afford to sit still. We cannot afford to stay siloed. Success will not come from patience. It will come from acting with purpose."
This was not about talk. It was a working session anchored in shared goals. When leaders across the Mid-South sit at the same table and leave egos at the door, we unlock strength that no single city can achieve alone.
The state of our region is in our hands. We cannot afford to sit still. We cannot afford to stay siloed. Success will not come from patience. It will come from acting with purpose. Together, thinking and acting as one region, we can build progress with purpose and create a stronger, more job-ready and future-ready Mid-South.
We can’t compete with the world by thinking small or acting in silos. We win by building capacity together. As the old proverb says, if you want to go far, go together. Well, right now, all across our region, we are moving together, and our intention is to go far.
 At the summit, we heard from Dr. James Johnson of UNC and Chris Mefford of Community Attributes Inc. The data is clear: the South is growing, the Mid-South is gaining talent, and if we move together, we can add up to 100,000 jobs by 2035. Click here to view Chris Mefford’s regional employment forecast slides.
"Right now, all across our region, we are moving together, and our intention is to go far. "
Also this week: We are investing in our municipal workforce
This week, I have also been focused on doing more for our municipal workforce, who are responsible for carrying out the work of creating a better Memphis. As part of our ongoing commitment to fair pay and a strong public workforce, our Human Resources team conducted an end-of-year pay review to ensure we are doing right by the people who serve this city every day.
At a time when families are facing real financial pressure and with SNAP benefit cuts on the horizon, this support could not come soon enough. I am proud to share that every full-time City of Memphis employee will now earn at least $40,000 per year, and we are also providing a 2% raise for our represented Fire Division employees. Our employees show up for Memphis, and we will continue to show up for them. I will bring these changes to Council for approval in November.
This is what accountability in action looks like—meeting people where they are and working side by side to make Memphis stronger.  #StrongerMemphis. See some of our work in Orange Mound here. Or our Westwood recap post here.
In the know. We’ve launched a webpage to keep you updated on the federal and state action to support Memphis’ public safety efforts. The Memphis Safe Task Force began operations the week of 9/29, with Tennessee National Guard patrols beginning on 10/10. Visit memphistn.gov/safeandclean to learn more.
Good News!
   Do you have good news to share? We would love to share it! Send us a note at goodnews@memphistn.gov
Track Our Progress
The linked reports below provide evidence to support our public safety strategy and our work to ensure municipal fiscal responsibility. These dashboard provides a quick overview, with the ability to dive in deeper to neighborhoods and divisions. Both dashboards updates daily.
 SAFER COMMUNITIES: For more info on how to use the safer communities dashboard, go here. Or for the whole dashboard, go here.
 FINANCE TRACKER: For more info on how to use the finance tracker dashboard, go here, then follow the prompts to the tracker.
Our Blight Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38111, 38114, 38127.
To report concerns related to property violations, potholes, and trash, click the link here or call 311 to speak to a live agent.
Want to know what's happening in Memphis? Explore these event calendars to stay in the loop on all the city has to offer!
Memphis Public Libraries
Memphis Parks
Memphis Travel
Arts Memphis
Choose901
I love Memphis
City of Memphis Meetings & Notices
2055 Regional Transportation Plan Survey. Provide your input on the plan that defines the vision for the region's transportation system by taking the online survey (English & Español). For more information, visit https://memphismpo.org/
Memphis Medical District Annual Survey: We need your input in this quick survey that is shared annually so we can create a more vibrant and safe Medical District. Please take the survey here.
Memphis Cares:
The City is leading the way with a $500,000 donation to help ensure families continue to have access to food — and we’re calling on businesses, churches, and community partners to join us.
Funds donated to United Way of the Mid-South will go directly to the Mid-South Food Bank, helping provide food boxes to those in need.
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