Full Implementation Plan Strategies

Greening Our Economy
Completed Ref Number Summary Sub-Category
4.1.1

Develop an agenda for the future that builds into existing and future economic development plans to create green jobs and grow a green sector in the regional economy.

 Green Jobs
4.1.2

Increase local research capacity for green technologies and renewable energy by establishing a Cleantech Demonstration Center to create, test, and showcase products and The Green Business Incubator to create start up companies resulting from the research.

 Green Jobs
4.1.3

Establish a Sustainability Seed Fund to provide early stage capital for local green businesses, innovators, and participants in the Green Business Incubator.

 Green Jobs
4.1.4

Issue an RFP to create a local Green Technology Industrial Park as a public-private partnership for green businesses (esp those created through Green Business Incubator) to work together.

 Green Jobs
4.1.5

Workforce Investment Network (WIN) should provide funding and support for Green Job training programs through current workforce training programs and identify green job opportunities.

*Memphis Bioworks Foundation is offering free Environmental Job Training and Placement for select zip codes during the summer of 2012 and 2013.  This is through an EPA grant.

Green Jobs
4.1.6

Partner with The Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau to identify and bring to the area national Green Job and “Cleantech” events and conferences.

*The Tennessee Valley Solar Solutions Conference was held at the Memphis Cook Convention Center April 10-11, 2012.

*The Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council (TREEDC) held their Conference in Memphis November 18, 2011.

 Green Jobs
4.2.2

Require applications for entitlements or incentives to quantify the economic and environmental impacts/benefits of the proposed project.

 Economic Development
4.2.3

Amend PILOT (Payment-in-lieu-of taxes) application processes to award additional points to projects that incorporate existing vacant or underutilized buildings and that achieve specific sustainability benchmarks such as “LEED for Existing Buildings”.

*Awardees are given additional time on their PILOTs if they practice specific “green” measures.  See pages 12-14 of the program overview. 

Economic Development
4.2.4

Revise policies to require that any project receiving tax abatement through the PILOT program must achieve a minimum of LEED Bronze Certified or equivalent for all new construction over 50,000 SF.

 Economic Development
4.2.5

Amend PILOT application processes to award additional points to projects that incorporate existing vacant or underutilized buildings in lieu of new construction and that achieve specific sustainability benchmarks such as LEED for Existing Buildings.

 Economic Development
4.2.6

Aggressively pursue large scale redevelopment opportunities using either the existing Shelby County Land Bank or a newly created joint Memphis-Shelby County Land Bank.

*Shelby County Land Bank will market surplus city and county properties which will now make it easier for prospective buyers.  Learn more here.

 Economic Development
4.2.7

Develop an open, multiservice fiber network, publicly built and maintained but open to the private sector.

*Through a grant, the South Memphis neighborhood of Soulsville will receive community-wide Wi-Fi infrastructure.  Read more about it here. 

*Look here for places in Memphis and Shelby County that have free Wi-Fi.

Economic Development
4.2.8

Work with the Shelby County Health Department to review and update their rules and regulations to remove any barriers that may be faced by local farmers in selling and offering of their goods and produce in local farmers markets.

 Economic Development
4.2.1

Partner with regional business leaders to create a bi-annual sustainable business conference to inform local businesses of the broader sustainability movement and connect local green business ventures.

 Economic Development