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One Region. One Team. One Future.
I've always believed that Memphis' future is tied to the future of the entire Mid-South. We share a workforce, an economy, and opportunities that extend well beyond city limits and state lines. And if we're going to realize our full potential, we have to think and act like a region.
This week, the MidSouth Development District hosted its annual State of the Region, bringing together leaders from Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi to talk about an extraordinary opportunity facing our shared future.
Our region has the potential to attract 100,000 new jobs over the next decade.
That's according to a MidSouth Development District forecast based on industry growth projections and conversations with regional employers. And we have the resources to compete for those jobs and win.
But bringing that opportunity to life means confronting a serious challenge.
Our region is losing people. And we cannot afford to ignore it. In 2025 alone, our six-county region lost 4,134 residents. That's an average of 11 people every day.
When people leave, we lose workers, taxpayers, customers, and neighbors. Businesses struggle to find employees, our tax base shrinks, and continued population loss could mean fewer federal and state dollars for essential services.
Our first priority must be connecting people to good jobs and giving them reasons to build their futures here.
“We have everything we need to compete with any region in the country. But our greatest advantage is what we can accomplish when we work together. When one community wins, our entire region gets stronger.”
That's why the City is investing in NextUp901, our partnership with The Collective Blueprint to connect 5,000 young adults to education, training, and career opportunities over five years. We're working to build pathways from education to employment, connecting young people with the skills, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.
But good jobs alone aren't enough. People need safe neighborhoods, housing they can afford, reliable transportation, and good schools. That's why we've set a goal of creating 10,000 new and rehabilitated housing units by 2030, and why we've made stabilizing MATA and strengthening public transit a priority, including a $32 million commitment in this year's budget. And because people cross city, county, and state lines every day to work, attend school, and build their lives, we need to approach workforce, housing, and transportation as regional priorities.
A new employer in Mississippi can create opportunities for families in Memphis. An investment in Arkansas can strengthen our shared economy. And a stronger Memphis benefits the entire Mid-South.
We're not competing against one another. We're competing together against other regions for jobs, investment, and talent. And we have what it takes to win.
That was one of my biggest takeaways from the closing panel with my fellow mayors. We were remarkably aligned in how we see our region's future, and each of us had stories about picking up the phone and calling on one another to solve problems, share resources, or move something forward. That's how regional partnerships should work.
We're already seeing that cooperation in joint grant applications across county and state lines. We need to build on it, stop duplicating efforts, share resources, and hold ourselves accountable for results.
I've said many times that Memphis is rising. I believe that. But I also know that we have to recognize the urgency of the challenges before us and act together.
Tuesday's elections reminded us of the power of our voices and our votes. In Shelby County, early voting was up 52% over 2022. I'm encouraged that more people showed up, and I want us to build on that. Our future is shaped by the choices we make, the leaders we elect, and our willingness to stay engaged.
I also want to congratulate Germantown's incoming mayor, Tony Salvaggio, and returning mayors Josh Roman of Lakeland and David Parsons of Bartlett, along with newly elected and returning leaders across our region. I look forward to working together to build a stronger Mid-South.
We have the people. We have the assets. And we have the opportunity. Now we need to work as one region to make the most of it.
One Region. One Team. One Future.
Let's build it together.
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