I-69
The Greater Memphis Megasite
The Port of Cates Landing
The Port of Memphis
Mississippi River
Memphis Airport
Rail  - CSX and Northern Southern

I-69 is the catalyst for West Tennessee to reach its full economic potential.  From downtown Memphis to the rural communities, West Tennessee is primed to experience a growth in economic opportunities. Upon completion, 17 of the nation’s top 25 seaports will be directly connected to I-69, and fifteen of the nation’s top 25 air cargo airports will be directly accessible to I-69. Communities along the I-69 route will be able to increase the flow of goods coming from their towns, boosting their productivity and free flow of goods

The Greater Memphis Megasite in Haywood County has the potential to dramatically change the economy in rural West Tennessee.  It is vital that work is continued to improve the site and I am working closely with the Federal and State officials to make it a priority.  Completion of this project and the jobs it would create will help throughout the 8th District from Memphis to Frog Jump. 

Located along I-40, the site is made up of 1,720 acres and has access to U.S. Highways 70 and 79, 25 minutes northeast of Memphis. CSX Rail connects the site to four other rail systems in the Memphis area and the site is being developed to bring in industry and is already certified by the Tennessee Valley Authority Megasite Certification Program.

The Port at Cates Landing in Lake County is another way to help attract companies and ensure industry can receive and ship the goods they need. 

The International Port of Memphis is the 4th largest port in the United States and moved 12.1 million tons of cargo in 2010.  Moving this much cargo in a year provides $7.1 billion in economic benefits for the Memphis area and supports over 15,000 jobs in Shelby County. 

Mississippi River. A thriving Mississippi River creates a thriving economy. Its ports are an economic driver and job creator for many communities along the river.  As the second longest river in the United States, stretching 2,320 miles through the heart of our nation, the Mississippi River and its floodplain are rich in biodiversity, as it is home to hundreds of different species of fish, birds, mussels, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The Mississippi River is also a thriving economic thoroughfare in the United States with billions of tons of cargo being transported up and down the river each year, including grain and other agriculture products, coal, iron, steel, and petroleum products.

As a Member of the Mississippi River Caucus I am working to ensure the communities along the main stem of the Mississippi River can continue providing good jobs and the harbors are able to support strong commerce.

Memphis Airport. Known as "America's Aerotropolis,” the Memphis International Airport is the busiest cargo airport in the United States, and the second busiest cargo airport in the world. It is the only airport in North America considered to be an "aerotropolis," an airport-integrated region extending outward from the airport in strings and clusters of airport-linked businesses and their associate residential complexes that connects all of them to air, water, rail and road to quickly and efficiently ship products around the world.

The distribution centers for many major national and international brands have located to the Memphis area to take advantage of the cargo opportunities presented by the Memphis Airport, such as Flextronics, Hewlett-Packard, Nike and Sharp.  

Rail  - CSX and Northern Southern. The transportation sector is an important piece of the economy. In West Tennessee we are lucky to have two major railroads that connect Tennessee products to the rest of the United States, and the world.  The correlation between transportation infrastructure and the level of economic opportunity is undeniable. The rail systems in West Tennessee give companies located here better accessibility to markets and provide Tennesseans with employment opportunities. Additionally, it contributes to the local economy in many unseen ways.  For example, many transportation companies purchase their inputs from local suppliers. This in turn produces additional economic opportunities in local communities. Having access to these two major rail systems gives West Tennessee an advantage over many other communities across the United Statess, and I will continue to work to promote the advantages and opportunities afforded our communities.