Building Together: City of Memphis Weekly Newsletter

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This week, I sent a letter to the TVA Board in support of its new Data Center Rate Class and Capacity Commitment Charge. It may sound like a technical change, but the principle behind it is important for Memphis.

Our city is quickly becoming an important part of the growing data center industry. We recognize the economic opportunity that comes with it. But large data centers also create extraordinary demand for power and can require significant new generation, transmission capacity and other infrastructure.

The question for us is how to put the right mechanisms in place to ensure this growth benefits our community.

TVA’s proposed structure, consistent with its Ratepayer Protection Pledge, would require large data centers to pay higher rates than residential customers, make upfront commitments toward the generation capacity needed to serve them, and fund the transmission and interconnection improvements their facilities require.

Families and existing businesses should not be asked to absorb those costs.

This is part of a larger conversation we need to keep having as this industry grows. AI and data center infrastructure are developing faster than many of the policies that govern them. If we get the guardrails right, this investment can strengthen our communities. If we do not, the very places that make that growth possible can be left to carry too much of the burden.

In Memphis, we have already taken action to ensure that our community benefits from this investment.

Last year, my administration created and pushed through our first-of-its-kind Community Benefits Ordinance. For major data center investments, a portion of the new property tax revenue generated by these facilities is reinvested in the surrounding community.

The thinking behind both policies is similar: new investment should bring new responsibility.

There are economic development gains to consider. Data center investment adds to our tax base and positions Memphis to compete in a changing economy. We also have to consider the demands that investment places on our infrastructure and ensure the costs are not shifted onto the people and businesses already here.

That balance is important this week as TVA considers this new rate structure, and it will remain important as we make decisions about future investment in Memphis.

We want to compete for investment. We also want to grow responsibly.

Getting the guardrails right allows us to do both.

Good News!

Veterans Village Opens Its Doors

Memphis honored its veterans in a meaningful way this week. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation officially opened the Memphis Veterans Village at 7060 Riverdale Bend Road, transforming a former hotel into 110 units of affordable, permanent supportive housing for veterans who have experienced homelessness. Beyond housing, residents have access to on-site job training, benefits assistance, mental health support, and more.

Click here to apply: Veterans Village Opens Its Doors

Princeton James is “Made-in-Memphis”

Princeton James chose to stay and build his career in Memphis rather than head to bigger industry hubs, and for the past decade he's poured that commitment back into the city's youth. Through Kooler Kids, the arts enrichment program he founded, James has helped more than 20,000 young Memphians discover paths into film, from acting and directing to costuming and set design. Today, that dedication comes full circle as two Memphis-made films he produced hit the spotlight on the same day: "Elijah Peel" opens in theaters nationwide, and "Hoop Street" premieres at an Arkansas film festival, both made in Memphis, by Memphians.

Click here to learn more: Princeton James is “Made-in-Memphis”

Splash Spots to Beat the Summer Heat

Memphis summer is no joke this year. With the heat and humidity making it feel even hotter, sometimes the best way to spend the day is in the water. Luckily, there are plenty of places around the 901 where you can cool off without having to leave town. From splash pads and water parks to indoor and outdoor pools, Memphis has plenty of options for families, kids, and anyone just looking to escape the heat.

Click here to learn more: Splash Spots to Beat the Summer Heat

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 dashboards provide a quick overview, with the ability to dive in deeper to neighborhoods and divisions. Both dashboards update daily. 

SAFER COMMUNITIES: View the dashboard here.

FINANCE TRACKER: View the tracker here. 

Our Blight Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38109, 38128, 38114, and 38106

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

Follow us on social media @citymemphis!

Memphis International Airport has officially become Frederick W. Smith International Airport, honoring the late FedEx founder whose vision helped connect Memphis to the world! This is a pretty historic moment for Memphis, and a fitting tribute to one of the city’s biggest trailblazers. ✈️

Click here to learn more.

In partnership and progress,

Paul A. Young