The Economic Injustice Built Into Memphis’ Low Wage Jobs
Thumbnail: Memphis’ long tradition of exploiting people of color for low-wage jobs builds on a foundation of economic injustice.
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Category: Economic Development
Memphis Economy Continues Decline in July – David Ciscel
Thumbnail: Since March, the rich may not have gotten richer, but the poor has definitely gotten poorer. Overall, the picture is grim. Memphis is not part of the national trend showing improvement.
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Short Reads: Graceland, Liberty Park, and Port of Memphis
Thumbnail: Graceland’s dogged efforts to tell Memphis what it’s own documents mean, Liberty Park may be the next Volunteer Park, and big news at the Port of Memphis.
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PILOT Talking Points Crowd Out Facts; Shelby County Should Stop Tax Breaks
Thumbnail: Despite the regular talking points about PILOTs, City Hall – in a bubble surrounded by people who benefit from the tax breaks – has no way of knowing if the tax breaks are justified. If city mayors want to hand out PILOTs, Shelby County Government’s taxes should be exempt because they support safety net programs and education.
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A Gas Station On Broad: A Test For Memphis 3.0’s Livability Vision
Thumbnail: The Board of Adjustment vote on the proposed gas station/convenience store in the Broad Avenue Arts District is about more than a project. It is a vote on whether the vision captured in Memphis 3.0 it more than empty words.
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Consolidation: It’s Not Government Structure That Matters, It’s Leadership
Thumbnail: While the results of the current poll about consolidation makes for interesting cocktail conversation, a campaign to merge city and county governments is a distraction that keeps us from dealing with issues that matter. It’s not government structure that matter. It’s leadership.
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Injecting More Accountability Into PILOTs
Thumbnail: The current PILOT programs are not improving key indicators for Memphis workers and calls for a greater commitment to fiduciary duties for Memphis City Council and Shelby County Board of Commissioners. Here are 10 suggestions for helping make that happen.
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PILOT Programs Fail On Key Indicators Of Success
Thumbnail: Memphis and Shelby County PILOT programs raise questions on their return on investment, failing to improve key measurements of success. And yet, the programs remain largely unquestioned by elected officials and others who have fiduciary responsibilities for local government.
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Economic Reboot: We Can’t Let History Repeat Itself
Thumbnail: If the Memphis economy is to reboot after the pandemic, the focus needs to be on structural issues that are ice on the wings of the recovery. After the Great Recession, Memphis returned to business as usual and squandered the chance to fundamentally improve the economy. Hopefully, history will not repeat itself.
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David Ciscel: Problems With Our Economy Will Last Longer Than Pandemic
Thumbnail: University of Memphis’ Professor Emeritus in Economics David Ciscel says the metro economy is tumbling in June but will likely appear good when even worse July numbers come in. Meanwhile, basic economic problems will last longer than the pandemic.
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Memphis Affordable Housing Program Falls Short Of Addressing Needs
Thumbnail: Memphis launches a $1 million housing trust that is underwhelming when compared to other cities. It cries out for a robust program to increase home ownership and give all Memphians an opportunity to create wealth.
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David Ciscel: The Memphis Economy – COVID In May
Thumbnail: University of Memphis’ Professor Emeritus in Economics David Ciscel follows up his previous blog post about Covid-19’s impact on our economy. The May jobs and employment numbers show that idea by leadership that it would all fade in May is discredited. The next two months will be even more important.
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Latest Bill Day Cartoon
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 →
