⚡ Memphis's Rebirth As A Tech Hub? ⚡

Happy Sunday, In The Hub City!

The biggest takeaway from this edition is “Whatever Happens In Memphis, Echoes In Jackson!” Memphis is pushing for a potential rebirth as a major tech hub—a move that could bring lasting impacts to the entire region, including Jackson.

In Today’s “HubCity Newsletter”:

• How Memphis Shaped West Tennessee 🌟

• The Current State Of Memphis 📈

• The Rebirth Of Memphis 🤖

• The Impact On Jackson 👀

• Weekly Events For The Kids 🛝

• Weekly Events For The Whole Family 🎡 

Read Time: 3 - 6 Minutes

🌟 How Memphis Shaped West Tennessee 🌟

When people think of Memphis, they often think of blues, barbecue, and Beale Street, but the city’s impact runs much deeper. As the largest city in West Tennessee, Memphis has long been the economic and cultural engine of the region.

Historically, Memphis has been a major hub for transportation and logistics, largely thanks to its prime location along the Mississippi River. It became a key player in shipping, railroads, and eventually, air freight. With FedEx headquartered in Memphis, the city has been a vital link in global trade, connecting businesses across the world.

Beyond logistics, Memphis has also been a center for medical research and education, home to institutions like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

For decades, what happened in Memphis directly influenced the rest of West Tennessee. But, like many American cities, Memphis has had its share of struggles.

📈 The Current State Of Memphis 📈

Right now, Memphis is a city of contrast. There are incredible innovations happening, but also major challenges that need to be addressed.

The Good:

• Memphis remains one of the largest logistics hubs in the U.S. and continues to be a major player in healthcare and research.

• The city has a rich cultural scene, with tourism still bringing in millions of dollars every year.

• There is a strong push for revitalization, with new businesses and developments taking shape.

The Bad:

• Crime rates in Memphis are among the highest in the country, with violent crime being a serious concern.

• The city has faced economic struggles, with some areas experiencing high unemployment and lack of investment.

• Infrastructure issues, from aging roads to public transportation challenges, continue to hold parts of the city back.

Memphis is at a crossroads—but there is a growing belief that the city is ready for a comeback. And a tech rebirth might just be the answer.

🤖 The Rebirth Of Memphis 🤖

Memphis is now looking to transform itself into a major tech hub. But why now? And how realistic is this vision?

One of the biggest drivers of this transformation is Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, which is building the Colossus Supercomputer facility in Memphis. This facility will house at least one million GPUs, making it one of the most powerful AI research centers in the world.

Another major step forward is the Alchemist Accelerator, a Silicon Valley-based startup program that is now expanding into Memphis. This program is designed to attract tech startups to the city, providing funding and mentorship.

Why is Memphis pushing for this rebirth?

• The economy needs new industries beyond logistics and healthcare.

• Tech jobs bring higher wages and long-term economic stability.

• Memphis has a large talent pool from local universities that could be tapped into.

How long will it take?

• A full transformation into a tech hub won’t happen overnight. It could take 5-10 years before we see significant changes.

• Infrastructure needs to improve, including better internet access, office spaces, and incentives for businesses to move in.

This is just the beginning, but Memphis is making serious moves to reinvent itself in the tech world.

👀 The Impact On Jackson 👀

So, what does this mean for Jackson and the rest of West Tennessee? Well, there could be several benefits coming our way:

1. More High-Paying Jobs

• As tech companies expand into Memphis, some of that job growth could spill into Jackson.

• Remote work opportunities might increase as tech-based businesses look for talent across West Tennessee.

2. Business Growth & Investment

• If Memphis becomes a true tech hub, it could attract investors who may also look at Jackson as a smaller but promising city for growth.

• New businesses related to tech (like coworking spaces, IT support, and networking events) could pop up in Jackson.

3. Better Infrastructure & Connectivity

• Memphis’s push for better high-speed internet and technology access could lead to regional improvements in West Tennessee.

• More people commuting between Jackson and Memphis for tech jobs could boost transportation development.

Memphis’s rebirth could bring big opportunities for Jackson, making it an even stronger part of West Tennessee’s growing economy.

💪 The Final Takeaway 💪

Regardless of many people's distaste for the idea, Jackson is married to Memphis and what happens in Memphis often transfers to Jackson.

Memphis has always been a city of resilience. Now, it is attempting to reshape its future as a tech powerhouse. With major investments in AI, startup accelerators, and economic development, this could be exactly what West Tennessee needs.

And for Jackson? This could mean new jobs, more business opportunities, and better regional growth. While there are still challenges ahead, one thing is clear: Memphis is on a mission, and Jackson should be paying attention.

What do you think? Can Memphis successfully make this shift? Let us know in the poll below! 🔢🎨 

As always, check out our curated list of events happening this week in and around Jackson! 👀🌿

👇️ Support Something Local! 👇️ 

Event Promoted & Sponsored By SparkJoy Homeschool - Jackson, TN

Parents & Grandparents, help pave the way for your future CEO — sign them up for the Children’s Business Fair today!

Monday, April 7th

Story Time 📖
Date: Monday, April 7th
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Parents & Children Are Invited To Come Enjoy A Story, Sing, Dance, Craft & Make Friends All Under One Roof!

Tuesday, April 8th

STEAM School Learning With Legos (Earthquakes) 🌎
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: Humboldt Public Library
Price: Free
Age: 6 - 12 Years Old
Additional Details: Come Join Us To Learn About Fault Lines, Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes & Finally Test Your Lego Creation To See If It Can Withstand An Earthquake

Out There: The Search For Extrasolar Worlds 🪐
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

Wednesday, April 9th

Farm Storytime With Miss Ashley 🌺
Date: Wednesday, April 9th
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Humboldt Public Library
Price: Free
Age: 3 - 7 Years Old

Thursday, April 10th

Coding Club (Meet Fellow Programmers) 🖥️
Date: Thursday, April 10th
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Downtown Library
Price: Free
Ages: 9 Years Old & Up

Friday, April 11th

Fortnite Gamer Hangout 🎮️
Date: Friday, April 11th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: E-Gamers Cafe
Price: (Check For Pricing)
Additional Details: You Asked & We Delivered!  This Year We Will Be Testing Out Hangout Events For All Ages!  This Gives You The Opportunity To Meet & Form Communities With Others You Share Interests With.

Kids' After School Special Planetarium Show: TimeSpace 🔭
Date: Friday, April 11th 
Time: 3:45PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

Saturday, April 12th

Easter-Palooza At Lazy Sunday 🧺
Date: Saturday, April 12th
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Lazy Sunday
Price: Free Entry
Additional Details: Spend Some Time WIth Us & Enjoy An Easter Egg Hunt, Door Prizes, Easter Basket Picks & Much More!

Teen Cuisine 🍳
Date: Saturday, April 12th
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Downtown Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Bring Your Teen To Learn Some Of The Basics In The Kitchen!

Monday, April 7th

1st Monday Night Of The Month Dinner & Bingo 🍛
Date: Monday, April 7th
Time: 6:00PM
Location: Beech Bluff Recreation Center
Price: $10 Per Plate (Dinner and Bingo)
Meal: "Marry Me" Chicken, Side Of Rice, Broccoli, Dessert & A Drink.

Story Time 📖
Date: Monday, April 7th
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Parents & Children Are Invited To Come Enjoy A Story, Sing, Dance, Craft & Make Friends All Under One Roof!

Pet Photos With The Easter Bunny 🐰
Date: Monday, April 7th
Time: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: Old Hickory Mall
Price: (Click For Pricing)

Tuesday, April 8th

Deals & Steals Consignment Event (Dollar Dash) 🛍️
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Old Hickory Mall
Price: Free Entry
Additional Details: This Is The Perfect Place To Find Gently Used Clothes For The Whole Family!

Crafternoon Special 🧶
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Main Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Bring Your Kids In For A Great Crafternoon & Let Them Craft Whatever Their Hearts Desire!

Out There: The Search For Extrasolar Worlds 🪐
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

STEAM School Learning With Legos (Earthquakes) 🌎
Date: Tuesday, April 8th
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: Humboldt Public Library
Price: Free
Age: 6 - 12 Years Old
Additional Details: Come Join Us To Learn About Fault Lines, Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes & Finally Test Your Lego Creation To See If It Can Withstand An Earthquake.

Wednesday, April 9th

Luckey Barn Petting Zoo 🐏
Date: Wednesday, April 9th
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: The Luckey Barn
Price: Free Admission With Cup Purchase
Additional Details: Looking For Something To Do? Come To The Luckey Barn Petting Zoo, Be Sure To Bring The Whole Family Too!

Keto Meal Planning Class🍖
Date: Wednesday, April 9th
Time: 11:30 PM - 12:30 PM
Location: Westwood Community Center
Price: Free
Additional Details: Get Ready To Learn Recipes From A Certified Instructor/Author In Our Free Keto Planning Class!

Farm Storytime With Miss Ashley 🌺
Date: Wednesday, April 9th
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Humboldt Public Library
Price: Free
Age: 3 - 7 Years Old

Thursday, April 10th

Safe Streets For All Public Meeting 🫂
Date: Thursday, April 10th
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Downtown Library
Additional Details: Come Share Your Thoughts & Opinions On How Jackson Can Help Make The Streets Safer.

Thursday Adult Game Night 🎮
Date: Thursday, April 10th
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: E-Gamers Cafe
Price: (Click For Pricing)
Age: (18+ Gamers Only)
Additional Details: Come Hangout & Find Your Late Night Gaming Community! This Event Is Exclusively For Gamers 18 and Older.

Luckey Barn Petting Zoo 🐏
Date: Thursday, April 10th
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: The Luckey Barn
Price: Free Admission With Cup Purchase
Additional Details: Looking For Something To Do? Come To The Luckey Barn Petting Zoo, Be Sure To Bring The Whole Family Too!

Coding Club (Meet Fellow Programmers) 🖥️
Date: Thursday, April 10th
Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Downtown Library
Price: Free
Ages: 9 Years Old & Up

Friday, April 11th

Out There: The Search For Extrasolar Worlds 🪐
Date: Friday, April 11th
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please Arrive 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

Fortnite Gamer Hangout 🎮️
Date: Friday, April 11th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: E-Gamers Cafe
Price: (Check For Pricing)
Additional Details: You Asked & We Delivered!  This Year We Will Be Testing Out Hangout Events For All Ages!  This Gives You The Opportunity To Meet & Form Communities With Others You Share Interests With.

Luckey Barn Petting Zoo 🐏
Date: Friday, April 11th
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: The Luckey Barn
Price: Free Admission With Cup Purchase
Additional Details: Looking For Something To Do? Come To The Luckey Barn Petting Zoo, Be Sure To Bring The Whole Family Too!

Free Donut Friday 🍩
Date: Friday, April 11th
Time: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location: Farmers Insurance - Vanessa Correa
Price: Free
Additional Details: Come Grab A Free Donut & Coffee! Are You Looking For A Job & Need Someone To Review Your Resume? We Got You Covered! While You're Here, Take A Chance & Spin Our Prize Wheel To See What You Can Win. Don’t Forget To Ask Us About Our Office & Printer Services.

Kids' After School Special Planetarium Show: TimeSpace 🔭
Date: Friday, April 11th 
Time: 3:45PM
Location: M. D. Anderson Planetarium
Price: Free
Additional Details: No Food Or Drinks Allowed. Please 15 Minutes Early & No Entry Once The Show Starts.

Saturday, April 12th

The Medina Market 🛍️
Date: Saturday, April 12th
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: The Depot Downtown
Additional Details: Baked Goods, Local Farmers, Animals, Crafts/Gifts & Plenty Of Vendors!

Luckey Barn Petting Zoo 🐏
Date: Saturday, April 12th
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: The Luckey Barn
Price: Free Admission With Cup Purchase
Additional Details: Looking For Something To Do? Come To The Luckey Barn Petting Zoo, Be Sure To Bring The Whole Family Too!

Stargazing At The Mounds 💫
Date: Saturday, April 12th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park
Price: $5 (Registration Required)
Additional Details: Head Over To The Museum And Join Us For An Evening Under The Stars!

Easter-Palooza At Lazy Sunday 🧺
Date: Saturday, April 12th
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Lazy Sunday
Price: Free Entry
Additional Details: Spend Some Time WIth Us & Enjoy An Easter Egg Hunt, Door Prizes, Easter Basket Picks & Much More!

Teen Cuisine 🍳
Date: Saturday, April 12th
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Downtown Library
Price: Free
Additional Details: Bring Your Teen To Learn Some Of The Basics In The Kitchen!

April - Monthly Market 🛍️
Date: Saturday, Saturday, April 12th
Time: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Beech Bluff Recreation Center
Price: Free Entry (Merchandise Pricing Vary)
Additional Details: Baked Goods, Custom Shirts, Embroidered Hats, Jewelry & So Much More! Come Out To Support Local Businesses & Have A Blast Doing It!

Sunday, April 13th

Luckey Barn Petting Zoo 🐏
Date: Sunday, April 13th
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: The Luckey Barn
Price: Free Admission With Cup Purchase
Additional Details: Looking For Something To Do? Come To The Luckey Barn Petting Zoo, Be Sure To Bring The Whole Family Too!

The Easter Bunny Comes To Little Loves 🐰
Date: Sunday, April 13th
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Little Loves
Price: $25 
Additional Details: Come Search High & Low And Enjoy Some Cookies As You Go! Remember That Searching For The Golden Eggs And Winning Prizes Are All Part Of The Fun!  (Tickets Here)