Reactions to Milken Institute’s Dismal Rating About Memphis Economic Vitality
My last post about Memphis metro’s economic vitality being ranked #205 of 206 metros generated a...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Jun 4, 2026 | Economic Development
My last post about Memphis metro’s economic vitality being ranked #205 of 206 metros generated a...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Jun 1, 2026 | Economic Development, Memphis Businesses
In a listing of the economic vitality of 206 large U.S. metropolitan areas, the Memphis MSA...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 26, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development
Despite MLGW’s protests to the contrary, common sense suggests that residential customers are...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 23, 2026 | Cartoons
Cartoonist Bill Day never fails to prove the point that a picture – in his case, a cartoon – is...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 21, 2026 | Politics and Government, State Government
Photo: Tennessee Rep. Antonio Parkinson By Susan Adler Thorp It’s déjà vu all over again when it...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 18, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Criminal Justice
Memphis is still on the list for major cities and crime. This time, however, Memphis is listed...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 14, 2026 | Data Points
Tennessee has 95 counties and the Think Tennessee State of our Counties Dashboard has metrics that...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 11, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Federal Government, Shelby County government, State Government
It is inarguable that Republican state legislators are engaged in an unprecedented and racist...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 9, 2026 | Uncategorized
Cartoonist Bill Day never fails to prove the point that a picture – in his case, a cartoon – is...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | May 7, 2026 | City of Memphis Government, Criminal Justice
THROUGH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2025 (JANUARY-MARCH) An 8.8% decline compared to 2024 for the same time period A 15.5% decline compared to 2023 for the same time period *** THROUGH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2025 (JANUARY-JUNE) A 17.4%...
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by Bill Day. Memphian Bill Day is two-time winner of the RFK Journalism Award in Cartooning. His cartoons are syndicated internationally by Cagle Cartoons. Cartoons Archive →
Since 2005, this has been Smart City Consulting’s blog with the aim of connecting the dots and providing perspective on issues and policies shaping Memphis. Editor and primary author is Tom Jones, City Journal columnist at Memphis magazine, author of two books and a museum exhibition, and consultant on public policy and strategic planning. He has written articles for MLK50, The Commercial Appeal, and USA Today. The blog was called one of the most intriguing blogs in the U.S. by the Pew Partnership for Civic Change; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal said it “provides some of the most well-thought-out thinking about Memphis’ past, present, and future you’ll find anywhere,” and the Memphis Flyer said: “This incredibly well-written blog sets out to solve the city’s ills – from the mayor to MATA – with out-of-the-box thinking, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ideas.” If you have questions, submissions, or ideas for posts, please email Tom Jones, at tjones@smartcityconsulting.com.