This document discusses the Memphis metro intermodal facility and its impact on rural communities. It provides population, income, and demographic statistics for counties in Tennessee and Mississippi affected by the facility. The facility opened five months early and reached its projected volume of 300,000 lifts within four years. Over 3.5 million square feet of additional construction is underway and more development is planned. The implications are that the facility generates rural jobs, brings economic development more quickly than expected, and works as a model for other rural areas that pursue intermodal facilities.

1. Memphis
Metro Intermodal and Rural
Communities
Mark Burton
Center for Transportation Research
The University of Tennessee

2. Tennessee
55
55
40
40
69
240
240
78
72
64
385
385
385
302
61
MEM
Memphis
Mississippi

3. 55
55
40
40
69
240
240
72
64
385
302
61
22 269
269
269
269
69
69
MEM
Memphis
Mississippi
Tennessee

4. MEMPHIS
Shelby
Fayette
De Soto
Tate
Marshall
Tippah
Affected Counties

5. Fayette 38,659 54.5 $57,437 15.50%
Hardeman 26,533 40.8 $32,601 14.50%
Shelby 640,764 1,215.5 $46,102 10.40%
TENNESSEE 6,456,2431 53.9 $43,989 13.70%
Benton 8,730 21.5 $28,666 15.50%
De Soto 166,234 388.7 $59,734 10.50%
Marshall 36,612 52.6 $33,279 13.30%
Tate 28,490 71.4 $41,839 13.10%
Tippah 22,025 46.6 $35,769 15.00%
MISSISSIPPI 2,984,926 63.2 $38,718 13.00%
Affected Counties
Population / Density Income Over 65

6. Results to Date
■Opened Five Months Early
■Soup-to-Nuts = Four Years
■Built for 300K Lifts – Already There
■3.5 Million Sq. Ft. Under Construction
Much More Under Development
72

7. Implications
■Rural Job Generator
■Doesn’t Take a Generation
■Won’t Be One Everywhere
■First-Come for Those Who Are Ready
■Multiple Jurisdictions Managable
■Can Work in RURAL Environment

8. Memphis
Metro Intermodal and Rural
Communities
Mark Burton
Center for Transportation Research
The University of Tennessee