Inflated construction costs are forcing developers to make critical decisions that can impact whether their project stays on time and on budget. When lumber prices skyrocketed in just one month, Henry Turley Co. had to use the commodities market to decide when to lock in an order for its mixed-use project Orleans Station in the Medical District.

Nursing homes are trying to get back to a semblance of normal, but as they return to visitation protocols, they must balance the safety of residents knowing they cannot require visitors to be vaccinated or tested, or even ask for their testing status.

The U.S. government has requested to intervene in a lawsuit alleging that Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare conspired with West Cancer Center to bilk Medicare & Medicaid out of more than $800 million in fraudulent charges. The suit alleges Methodist rewarded physicians with kickbacks in violation of federal law, but both Methodist and West claim the suit is without merit.

FedEx will be the title sponsor of the Autonomous Mobile Robots & Logistics Conference in Memphis this week. A panel discussion Tuesday will reveal innovations in logistics and what needs robots can or may be able to fill in the future, something industry players will be interested to hear.

You will find this week’s Movers & Shakers below along with more business news. – Terry Hollahan, business editor.

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The global supply-chain shortage, which first took its toll on automobile manufactures in need of semiconductor chips, eventually affected the cost of lumber. Developers like the Henry Turley Co. were left trying to keep construction projects on time and on budget. 

Graceland facility, in ZIP code with high COVID rate, can't require vaccinations or tests Graceland Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is set to reopen to visitors. The problem is, the facility is not allowed to ask guests for proof of vaccination or a COVID negative test.  By Jane Roberts

Intervention in similar cases increased settlement amounts and likelihood of whistleblower success The lawsuit, filed in federal civil court, in Tennessee’s Middle District, alleges the scheme between Methodist and West Cancer executives cost Medicare and Medicaid more than $800 million in fraudulent payments.  By Matt Stroud

Robots and businesses — especially logistics companies like FedEx — will converge in Memphis Oct. 12-14 at the Autonomous Mobile Robots & Logistics Conference. By Tom Bailey

‘Dancing with the Stars’ kicks into high gear on the exact type of DanceFloor USA cushioned, beech wood boards used at Benji Smith’s East Memphis dance studio.  By Toni Lepeska

It’s likely the DMC will have a final candidate for redeveloping the tower by the end of the year.  By Rob Moore

The project on South Front would, according to the Design Review Board, fill in a missing piece of a vibrant and developing Downtown neighborhood.  By Rob Moore

Movers & Shakers

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Katie VanLandingham has been promoted to chief government relations and policy officer at the University of Memphis and will head the U of M’s Office of Government Relations and Policy. By The Daily Memphian Staff

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