Lessons Memphis Can Learn From Detroit: Yes, That’s What We Said
Maurice Cox is arguably the most-respected planner in the U.S., and in his Monday presentation in Memphis, he proved why. It had been 10 years since he was...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 29, 2018 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Planning and Urban Design
Maurice Cox is arguably the most-respected planner in the U.S., and in his Monday presentation in Memphis, he proved why. It had been 10 years since he was...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
After 35 years, Memphis is on the brink of becoming a city with two daily newspapers again, and while this unexpected newspaper war captures most of the attention, there is much...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 24, 2018 | Arts and Culture
Memphis Flyer managing editor Frank Murtaugh has been leading a campaign to erect a statue to honor University of Memphis legend Larry Finch, and it’s long...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 22, 2018 | Economic Development
For the past 12 years, I have been proud to write the City Journal column for Memphis magazine, where I was given the opportunity to write about politics, race, economic development, talent, and more....
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 20, 2018 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Shelby County government, Taxation
The turnout for the recent Shelby County general election attracted a meager 27.5% of registered voters to the polls, a low rate that seems stubbornly...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 17, 2018 | Education, Memphis City Schools, Shelby County government
This post is written by Jimmie Covington, veteran Memphis reporter with lengthy experience covering governmental, school, and demographic issues. He is a...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 16, 2018 | Uncategorized
In support of the 350 newspapers who today are editorializing about the importance of the First Amendment at a time that freedom of the press is under withering attack from the White House.
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 15, 2018 | Economic Development
This post is wrtten by Joe B. Kent, local researcher, who has a BBA with a Major in Finance from the University of Memphis and Masters of Science in Instructional...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 13, 2018 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Shelby County government
It is Memphis’ catch-22. We are told that Memphis tax rates are too high so it has to give away taxes to attract new companies and stimulate growth, but if those companies...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Aug 10, 2018 | Civil Rights, Criminal Justice, Shelby County government
In our last post, we began our list of 10 decisions that made us into who we are today. In that post, we listed three factors (these 10 are in no particular order): * Shelby County Encourages Middle Income Families to Leave...
Read Moreby 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.