The Heights Line has advanced a few more steps toward reality. The design of the 1.75-mile path, a logo and a one-time economic impact study have been completed.

Henry J. Maier, the president and CEO of FedEx Ground who has worked for the company more than 35 years, is retiring.

Eversana Life Science Services now has three distribution facilities and 315 jobs in Memphis. It’s seeking a tax incentive to expand and add 50 jobs. Otherwise, company officials say it may move to North Mississippi or St. Louis.

Memphis-based FedEx bought TNT in 2016 and it has taken longer than expected to integrate the company.

When you add all the industrial space leased during 2020 and subtract the new vacancies, the Memphis area experienced a net positive absorption of more than 12 million square feet. The vacancy rate fell to 5%, and 12 million square feet of more space is under construction.

Crown World this week followed through with its plans for Memphis after receiving a tax incentive in December. The firm has bought the long-empty office building at 2990 Airways and will establish operations there.

The City of Memphis is evaluating bids ranging from $9.4 million to $10.1 million for restoration of and other improvements to the historic Memphis cobblestone landing.

Protect Our Aquifer and other environmental groups have asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not to fast-track approval for the Byhalia Connection crude oil pipeline.

IG Design Group has an option to expand operations at the industrial park to 1.23 million square feet in the future.

FedEx said Monday, Dec. 28, it had closed on the acquisition of ShopRunner, a membership-based online shopping platform. A purchase price wasn’t disclosed.

Affected property owners oppose the design for replacing the Poplar Viaduct that would remove direct access between Scott Street and Poplar Avenue. City and state engineers say keeping the connection would be less safe.

Completed in 2019 at 6200 Global as the city’s first spec warehouse in 11 years, the 421,000-square-foot, Class A facility quickly landed a tenant and has just sold for a second time. And, several other speculative logistics centers in Memphis are in the pipeline.

FedEx Express workers describe how first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines moved through the Memphis world hub and beyond on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Peak preparation expenses cost more and took longer to get set due to more restrictions and safety considerations surrounding COVID-19, FedEx Ground’s president and CEO said. 

The first truckload of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine destined for U.S. administration sites rolled into the FedEx Express world hub in Memphis about 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

FedEx said Saturday, Dec. 19, it’s ready to start moving the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19.

Memphis-based FedEx Corp. reported strong second quarter earnings on Thursday, Dec. 17, but withheld guidance for the full year.

Memphis International Airport employees are being tested for COVID-19 each day they work at the airport, as part of an assurance testing program that the airport hopes to expand.

Memphis airport officials said Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts and Chili’s are among restaurants planned in future phases of concession development, after traffic rebounds toward pre-COVID levels.

FedEx’s Cordova station is seeing more gift items shipped by small, local businesses this peak season, suggesting many have successfully pivoted to the online marketplace amid COVID-19.

FedEx has taken delivery of first of at least 30 purpose-built turboprop air freighters to serve feeder markets around the world. ATR-72 600Fs will be delivered over five years.

Dunavant Distribution Group executives said a new lease of logistics space near the Port of Houston should enable the company to add 30 to 50 employees.

FedEx reported at mid-day Monday, Dec. 14, it had delivered COVID-19 vaccines to more than 100 destinations without incident and ahead of schedule.

FedEx and UPS could gain $100 million to $300 million in new revenue from COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the U.S., a Bank of America research report says. Related article: COVID-19 vaccine moves through Memphis hub

The first COVID-19 vaccines for U.S. use arrived at FedEx’s Memphis hub about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. By 4 p.m., vaccine shipments had started moving to final destinations. Related article: FedEx flying high into latest earnings report