JACKSON, Tenn.—Last night Governor Bill Lee delivered his State of West Tennessee address at Lane College in Jackson. He talked about a lot of things from education to jobs, but his remarks about the Memphis Megasite and a multi-million-dollar economic incentive for Jackson may have been what many were listening for.
Megasite
“You may have read some stories over the last week, saying we are hitting the pause button on the development, but let me tell you right now – we are not pausing in our commitment to the Megasite,” Lee said.
Two weeks ago, Senator Paul Rose of Covington told the Daily Memphian that he’d attended a meeting at which the governor’s leadership said Lee was not ready to spend money on the megasite’s wastewater pipeline. Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Bob Rolfe has said without the pipeline the megasite would not be “shovel ready” and that industry won’t consider the site until it is.
In his speech last night, Lee said, “We continue to be fully committed to funding and finding a company site…”
At a press conference held after the speech, the governor said nothing has changed.
“The pipeline is on track to finish the security of the permits and easements for that and then we will put out an RFP to companies that might be interested in laying that pipeline … at that point we will know exactly what it costs, exactly what the time frame to see it put in and we’ll make decisions pursing that – but I don’t think anything has changed on our direction in the Megasite.”
Since the news broke two weeks ago, West Tennessee leaders ranging from mayors to legislators have lobbied the governor not to hit the pause button.
This morning at 11, Commissioner Rolfe will attend a meeting of the Memphis Megasite Authority.
Millions for attractions in Jackson
Last night the governor also said the state is committing a $20 million incentive package to the development of a $150 million water park in Jackson. Developers say the attraction could bring 500,000 visitors to the Jackson area annually.
