Recently, I was at one of the classic car shows and I was admiring a 1967 Ford Thunderbird. The car had been beautifully restored and I had the most wonderful conversation with the owner. The owner told me the story of finding the car at an estate sale and that when they had found it, it was in pretty bad shape – so they called a couple of friends and they agreed they thought with all of them working together they could breathe new life back into this car. And they did! The paint, the interior, new spark plugs, new brakes. Most important though was the rebuilt engine that brought the car back to life. It was a thing of beauty.

I’m recounting that story because it’s a good way to look at our city. In the not-too-distant past, Memphis had one of the strongest economies in the mid-south. The factory floors were full of workers, the railyards, airports, and shipping ports were bustling and the ancillary industries serving those businesses and the workers flourished across our city. But, times changed and those same industries and jobs left Memphis and with it the promise of good wages and benefits. Memphis has been slow to recover from that economic gut punch, but we have an opportunity now to change the whole game.

Blue Oval City. This is a once-in-a-generation mega project that is taking place right here in West Tennessee. As the Minority Leader in the General Assembly, I worked with the administration to ensure that we landed this transformative development. It’s a $5.6 billion investment that will create over 6,000 good-paying jobs. But, here’s the bigger news: there will be a flood of investment from companies and private industry that will want to work and service the new battery plant and all that goes into it. Memphis will be at the forefront of the electric battery revolution.

As Mayor, my administration will begin to aggressively increase funding for job training and workforce development. Priority #1 is making sure that these good jobs and good wages go to Memphians. I want to take advantage of state tax credits and federal grants to encourage other green-focused industries to locate in Memphis to participate in the green revolution. My administration will work with local business leaders to identify opportunities for local businesses to benefit from this new opportunity and work with them to grow their business. With this economic activity happening, Memphians will have more disposable income than before. That’s why I want to assist in developing small businesses in neighborhoods and providing loans and grants for “Mom and Pop” shops that will feed, entertain, clean, repair, style, and care for the new Memphis workforce.

I believe that with all of us working together, we can restore Memphis back to its time as an economic leader. Just like that Ford Thunderbird, Memphis can come roaring back this time with a different kind of Ford engine.