From its founding in 1809, to the Civil War and through the 1980s, fewer than 1,000 people lived in rural Spring Hill. Then, in 1985, General Motors came to town.

Arlington, Bartlett and Lakeland could emerge as the suburban municipalities that benefit most from Blue Oval City given its proximity to the Haywood County site. Arlington and Lakeland also seem prime for more growth in both housing and retail development before Ford’s announcement, this may only accelerate that process.

The Memphis Regional Megasite will have its own Tennessee College of Applied Technology campus.

Memphis and the surrounding region lost out when the state’s original auto corridor was established in Middle Tennessee almost 40 years ago. But the new Ford plant in Haywood County comes with lessons from that pursuit as well as doubts and the prospect of more change beyond the electric vehicles powered by batteries made at the megasite.

“Blue Oval City will be the biggest auto manufacturing (site) in our 118-year history,” said Ford president and CEO Jim Farley. “It will also be the cleanest and most efficient. It will produce electric vehicles on a scale we couldn’t have even imagined 10 years ago.” 

Ford will build three electric-battery factories in Kentucky and Tennessee to make batteries for the next generation of Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles.

Ford Motor Company has selected the Memphis Regional Megasite for an electric vehicle and battery manufacturing campus, investing $5.6 billion and creating 5,800 jobs. Gov. Bill Lee said it was “the largest single investment in this state’s history.”

Also stresses adherence to the mask mandate in K-12 schools and where compliance issues can be reported. 

EDGE estimates its work has generated $1.7 billion in local tax revenue and $810 million in spending with minority- and women-owned businesses in Memphis and Shelby County. 

“As a lifelong Tennessean and business owner, it was an honor to be selected by the State of Tennessee for this project,” said Jacob Savage, founder and CEO of Speak Creative. 

William E. “Billy” Orgel, whose Tower Ventures builds cell towers, has become a towering figure himself in the redevelopment and preservation of Memphis’ historic buildings.

“IAM was kind of birthed there,” vice president Jeni Harris said. “So we’re excited that it’s kind of full circle back here.”

The Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission are already getting requests from groups that want a share of the money.

It is looking for young people to be part of control groups in clinical trials looking at the affects of inflammation.

While the Downtown Memphis Commission prepares for renovations to its own North Main headquarters, it is also evaluating bids for its giant neighbor, 100 N. Main. 

Germantown will review a PILOT for new medical offices Monday evening. Aldermen will also review a resolution formalizing their stance on consolidation.

The U.S. government Wednesday, Sept. 22, said it considering filing a motion to intervene in the whistleblower case against Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and former signatories, including former CEO Gary Shorb and former CFO Chris McLean.

Despite exceeding the density capacity for the South Main District, the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment granted approval of a new mixed-use development.

While their outlook on the economy is improved from a year ago, Memphis consumers appear hesitant about spending, a likely result of price increases linked to inflation. 

Germantown Auto Service removed its gasoline pumps and poured fresh concrete this week. The business is focused on repairing cars, the primary reason people visited the site the last 20 years.

Neighborhood residents in North and South Memphis have endured the loss of grocers in recent years, leaving them with a yet another challenge to endure. 

The measure is one of three proposals to limit and require local government approval and regulation of new oil pipeline projects. It’s broader than the other two measures delayed Tuesday over lingering legal questions.

The Memphis-based shipping giant cited headwinds that include backups in supply chains that are affecting every industry, as well as hiring costs for workers.

The giant new Tesla Center at 3020 N. Germantown Parkway has been servicing electric cars for a few weeks.

With construction already underway on the first hotel in Arlington, the town’s Planning Commission is reviewing plans for a second inn.