Milestone Poverty Report Spotlights Malignant Income Disparities
It’s time for white America – and white Memphis and Shelby County – to finally take the unflinching look in the mirror that it has avoided for...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Mar 5, 2018 | Poverty
It’s time for white America – and white Memphis and Shelby County – to finally take the unflinching look in the mirror that it has avoided for...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Mar 1, 2018 | Poverty
I had the pleasure Tuesday night of moderating a panel discussion about Professor Elena Delavega’s seminal and challenging report about Memphis poverty over the past 50 years. The report and the panel discussion were sponsored...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 26, 2018 | Data Points, Economic Development
Percent increase of jobs in large metros comparing 2017 to 2016: 3.5 – Orlando MSA 3.2 – Nashville/Murfreesboro MSA 3.1 – Atlanta MSA 3.0 – Raleigh MSA 2.8 – Jacksonville...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 23, 2018 | City of Memphis Government, Parks and Greening
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland is a little more than a week away from fully understanding the phrase, “the buck stops here,” which was famously...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 21, 2018 | City of Memphis Government, Uncategorized
The Strickland Administration today launches a new City of Memphis website, which is, in truth, the first “real” website for city government. While the website has received a redesign, even more to the point, it has...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 19, 2018 | City of Memphis Government, Civil Rights
Sometimes the cruelty in an action of the U.S. House of Representatives shocks even those of us who have low expectations for its enlightened...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 16, 2018 | Education, 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 contributing writer with The...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 14, 2018 | Leadership, Shelby County government
Mark Luttrell last week delivered his last “State of the County” address which took on extra importance because he has slightly less than seven months left...
Read MorePosted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 13, 2018 | Uncategorized
Posted by Smart City Memphis | Feb 12, 2018 | City of Memphis Government, Economic Development, Shelby County government, Taxation
We have no question about the good intentions that lie behind the push to give EDGE yet more power – this time the power to waive taxes for developers of apartments...
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.