The planned Memphis Aerotropolis is to receive a $1.2 million cash injection of Federal grants with the aim of boosting transport links, economic development and land rehabilitation.

US Congressman Steve Cohen, who authored the Aerotropolis Act in May, a bill designed to give aerotropolis projects access to government stimulus package funds, announced the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had awarded Memphis a Community Challenge Grant for the development of an aerotropolis and Lamar Corridor master plan.

"The Memphis Aerotropolis is more than a transportation network - it is an economic development engine for the Mid-South," said Congressman Cohen, who met recently with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to discuss this grant. "These new federal funds will help Memphis maximize the economic impact of the Aerotropolis and enable us to compete more effectively in a 21st Century global economy."

In a press release Congressman Cohen said the anticipated benefits would consist of:

* Economic development efforts to retain and expand the number of commercial and industrial jobs in existing employment centres.
* Redevelopment efforts to reduce the percentage of housing units with serious building code violations.
* Transit improvements to increase ridership, reduce vehicle miles travelled and shorten commutes.

By Oliver Clark