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When people think about economic development, they often think about jobs, infrastructure, and new investment.
Those things are critical, and we're working on them every day. But culture matters too.
Culture creates experiences. Experiences bring people together. And when people gather, businesses grow, jobs are created, and neighborhoods thrive.
That's why I was excited to be a part of the Memphis Art Museum's announcement that admission will be free forever for Shelby County residents when it opens this December. The museum will be a world-class destination that attracts visitors from across the region and around the world, but its first commitment is to the people of Memphis.
By removing the barrier of admission, the museum is making a simple statement: this space belongs to everyone.
It will be a place where families can spend an afternoon, students can explore new ideas, artists can find inspiration, and residents can return again and again. At the same time, it will help introduce visitors to everything Downtown Memphis has to offer.
And it arrives at a time when Downtown is seeing the rise of a powerful collection of cultural anchors.
This year, the National Civil Rights Museum unveiled its expanded Legacy Experience, building on the work of one of the world's most important museums. Every year, visitors travel to Memphis to better understand our nation's history. The new space ensures that the story continues to educate, challenge, and inspire future generations.
 Culture Calling: The Memphis Flyway, Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time on Mud Island, Memphis Art Museum, and the National Civil Rights Museum.
Soon, the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum and Memphis Music Hall of Fame will move into their new home on Beale Street. Bringing these institutions together strengthens one of the most iconic entertainment districts in America while creating a new destination for visitors to experience Memphis music's story.
On Mud Island, Baron Von Opperbean has transformed a long-vacant building into an immersive experience unlike anything else in the region. In its first month alone, it welcomed more than 4,500 visitors and generated more than $100,000 in revenue, bringing new energy and new audiences to our riverfront.
And just last week, Memphis River Parks opened the Memphis Flyway, the newest addition to the recently renovated, award-winning Tom Lee Park. The Flyway offers visitors a new perspective on the Mississippi River while adding another reason to explore one of the most celebrated public spaces in the country.
What excites me most is how these destinations work together.
A family may come Downtown to visit the Art Museum and spend the afternoon at Tom Lee Park. A visitor exploring Beale Street may discover the National Civil Rights Museum. Someone visiting Baron Von Opperbean may stop for lunch, explore our riverfront, or stay downtown for an evening.
That's how great downtowns are built.
Not through a single attraction, but through a collection of experiences that encourage people to stay longer, explore more, and come back again.
Memphis has always been a cultural capital. Today, we're building on those strengths to attract visitors, support local businesses, create jobs, and strengthen the heart of our city.
Because culture isn't separate from economic development.
For Memphis, culture is one of the ways we grow.
We are Supporting Small Business!
Entrepreneurship City Comes to Life at EDGE’s
Fourth Annual Small Business Expo
Join EDGE and the City of Memphis on Thursday, June 25, for the Fourth Annual Small Business Expo at the Renasant Convention Center. The 2026 Expo will bring together Memphis entrepreneurs, small businesses, creatives, and community partners to celebrate local talent and economic growth.
Attendees can shop from local businesses, meet the founders behind Memphis-based brands, and explore resources that help entrepreneurs launch, grow, and thrive. The event will also feature Culture Corner, sponsored by TVA, showcasing local artists, performers, and creative entrepreneurs.
Businesses supported through EDGE's Small Business Loan Program have invested approximately $9 million into Memphis neighborhoods and created nearly 600 jobs since 2014. The Expo offers a unique opportunity to see that impact firsthand.
The event is free and open to the public. Learn more here.
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