Faced with the monumental challenge of trying to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of people against COVID-19, city and county officials haven’t been shy about consulting with business executives for tips on how to improve their operating efficiency.

Weather-related disruptions have led FedEx, which is instrumental in the nationwide distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, to rely more heavily on its regional hubs as Memphis International Airport copes with a shutdown.

The Memphis International Airport CEO called the closure of the airport terminal a “last resort.”

Kroger spokesperson says the weather has prevented many vendors from providing certain products for its area stores, such as bread. 

The center will allow airplanes to de-ice in the same location, rather than at various places around the airport. That will make it easier for airport workers to collect and dispose of glycol, the chemical used to de-ice airplanes.

FedEx Express has had to temporarily suspend service to many cities in eight states in the South and Midwest, and its other businesses also are suspending services. 

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen and two City Council members were among those who gathered for the online rally against the proposed pipeline. 

The Memphis Area Transit Authority launched its new Groove On-Demand service, which enables people to use their smartphones or other devices to order rides with specified pick-up and drop-off points, similar to the way ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft operate.

Opponents of the proposed pipeline believe local governments can stop the project and nine property owners are still refusing to give Plains All American access to their land. 

Local resistance to the Byhalia Connection oil pipeline project has been gaining momentum recently. And with a new president in the White House, the project may face tougher scrutiny from federal regulators as well.

The move, announced jointly with Victory Cruise Lines Tuesday, Feb. 2, will take effect for cruises July 1 and later.

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.