http://memphisfastforward.com Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:26:16 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Shelby Farms Park has an approved Master Plan -- and a $20 million "challenge grant" from the Hyde Family Foundations to jumpstart fundraising for its first phase.  The Master Plan is a roadmap for transforming the country's largest urban park into a top draw for residents, tourists, and relocating businesses ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/09/03/shelby-farms-park-master-plan-off-to-a-20-million-start/ The Mid-South Minority Business Council's 2008 Economic Development Fair brought together local and national industry, government and community leaders to deliver inspiration, connections, and opportunities to over 5,000 participants.  The Fair also resulted in nine new corporations committed to doing business with minority companies and five new inner city national ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/09/03/major-economic-fair-boosts-minority-business-development/ Memphis film director Craig Brewer continues raising the profile of today's local film and music with his new MTV internet television series $5 Ticket -- which features midtown's independent music scene.  Brewer's 2005 feature film Hustle & Flow won an Academy Award for Best Original Song by local group 3 ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/08/15/brewer-hits-another-home-run-for-local-film-and-music/ School safety and security is a top priority as MCS starts the school year, with a new security chief, metal detectors in all middle and high schools, more police officers and monitors walking the halls, high-tech ID badges to keep track of students, and school staff trained in violence prevention ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/08/15/mcs-starts-school-year-with-focus-on-safety-and-security/ Memphis has garnered a "rave review" from travel enthusiasts around the world, further boosting its position as a major tourist destination.  Seasoned travelers on leading travel website TripAdvisor named the Memphis Zoo number one in the country, giving the zoo a 90% overall satisfaction score and ranking it higher than ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/08/15/memphis-zoo-captures-first-place/ The Shelby County Office of Early Childhood and Youth has launched Ask First: Is it Good for the Children?, a campaign to make children and youth a top priority in Shelby County.  This initiative promotes government and business policies that support children, and also sets the stage to engage parents ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/08/15/ask-first-is-it-good-for-the-children/ In the first half of 2008, violent crime in Shelby County was down 8.08% and property crime 3.31% compared to the same time period in 2006, the year before Operation Safe Community was launched.  While recently released FBI rankings for 2007 put Memphis at number two in the country for ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/07/31/violent-crime-down-808-in-shelby-county/ The Riverfront Development Corporation recently broke ground on Beale Street Landing - a project to bring visitors to the river's edge and add riverfront amenities for residents and tourists.  Beale Street Landing is the RDC's first large-scale development project and a cornerstone of the Memphis Riverfront Master Plan's vision to ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/07/31/world-class-riverfront-moves-a-step-closer/ The new Memphis Music Resource Center recently launched a program to provide the local music community with rare access to renowned industry experts.  The first "Backstage Pass" event featured a conversation with legendary producer Terry Manning and drew more than 100 attendees. Held at Ardent Studios, the conversation with Manning lasted ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/07/31/local-musicians-learn-secrets-to-success-with-backstage-pass/ The Memphis Regional Chamber recently delivered a big win when Medtronic's Memphis-based spinal surgery unit opened 180,000 sq. ft. of new office space.  The company plans to add 600 jobs, with average salaries of $76,000, in the orthopaedics sector, a major industry target of Memphis Fast Forward. The recent Medtronics project ... http://memphisfastforward.com/2008/07/31/chamber-business-expansion-team-hits-another-home-run/