Memphis needs to become metro city government

Memphis and Shelby County are among 31 other pairs of cities and counties in the United States considering consolidation into a metropolitan government, as well as 6 taking steps towards consolidation and a further 43 that have either merged fully or partially. As the county seat of Shelby County, Memphis is the economic, transport and communications hub of the county, the land area of the city alone takes up almost of the entire county.

A collection of business leaders who are part of a pro-consolidation group are arguing that failing to consolidate will not be in the best interests of the city’s economic growth, because there is no Department of Economic Development for the entire region, rather there is the Division of Planning and Development, which is a joint city-county department, but is has various zones and sub-departments for city and country development and economic investment.

The Metropolitcan Charter Commission, the pro-consolidation group led by business leaders, has issued a report claiming “the current economic development structure lacks the purposefulness, coherence and priority that the importance dictates” and adds that “The office should be able to provide leadership and authoritative answers for all questions and needs related to a unified economic development plan; that is, the office should act as (a) 'one-stop shop' for all aspects of economic development throughout Memphis Shelby County Metro Government”.

One of the members of the commission, Gary Shorb, J.R., Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s CEO, followed up on such claims while talking to Memphis news media, referring to the current process of attracting economic investment by major businesses as “fragmented” and “inefficient” which are the opposite to what business want to see the in the leadership of a city for potential investment.

"Pitt" Hyde III, AutoZone founder and the chairman of Hyde Foundation told Memphis news media that a recent trip by the mayor to China was an example of the opportunities that are missed because the two entities are not designated politically and territorially as one.

Hyde III said that while Mayor Wharton was at the Airport Cities International Conference he “made many contacts, but he couldn't make any commitments, because he's got to come back, he's got to work with the county (mayor). It’s just so cumbersome and awkward”.

In the November 2^nd elections the issue of incorporation of the two political entities, the city and county, is expected to be a referendum item on the ballot, several business leaders in the city will certainly be voting in favor.