Mane Street Memphis: Riviana Foods continues expansion; President's Island site certified

Happy New Year, y'all! It's the first official Mane Street Memphis of 2024, and we've got a few big updates this week.

First things first, though, I want to apologize for my last Mane Street Memphis and an uncharacteristic error on my part. I incorrectly reported that the Memphis and Shelby County Board of Adjustment approved a new site plan for the historic church property 1663 Autumn Ave. The site plan drew a 3-3 vote resulting in its rejection.

As some of y'all know, the property has been a point of interest for residents in the Evergreen Historic District and has been highlighted rather frequently in this column. I already beat myself up about the mistake, but still wanted to address it in this week's Mane Street.

On lighter news, if y'all haven't had a chance to look ahead what else is happening in 2024, take a peek at my year-ahead review and updates on which notable Downtown projects will be making significant moves soon.

Now, let's take a look at what's cooking this week around the Mid-South.

Riviana Foods begins 36,200-square-foot expansion

On Dec. 27, Trey McKnight, economic development specialist with the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County (EDGE), filed an administrative site plan permit with the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development for a 36,200-square-foot expansion at the Riviana Foods plant at 2314 S. Lauderdale St.

The expansion is part of the company’s ongoing $80.6 million expansion at the 29.49-acre site. In July 2022, EDGE awarded an 11-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) for project. The investment is expected to add 80 new jobs with an average annual base wage of approximately $44,000.

The permit filed is for the fifth phase of the plan and will expand upon the company’s existing South Lauderdale Street campus, which includes a 404,105-square-foot processing plant and more than 17,000 square feet of office space.

President's Island property gets state certification

The Memphis area has landed another state-certified super site just south of Downtown.

On Jan. 5, EDGE and the Greater Memphis Chamber announced a 42-acre industrial property located on President’s Island has become certified via the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).

“Partnerships have been a key strategy throughout this journey,” EDGE vice president of operations Joann Massey said in a statement. “Collaboration with the Greater Memphis Chamber, the City of Memphis, and our team at the Port of Memphis has been instrumental — with a particular focus on economic development initiatives and driving positive change within our community.”

The 42-acre property borders Harbor Avenue and Channel Avenue on the northern and southern ends of the property and the U.S. Navy’s William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel research facility on the eastern and western portions of the site, according to the news release. The property is zoned for industrial and commercial use.

The site is located north of the Nucor Steel facility at 3601 Riverport Road and the recently purchased Electrolux facility at 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road.

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EDGE staff said several companies have already expressed interest in the site, however, no confirmed investors have been announced yet. The TNECD certification is part of the state’s Select Tennessee initiative, which launched in 2012. The program is designed to improve property and accessible lands for capital and corporate investment. The program is limited to industrial sites.

“Achieving the Select Tennessee Certified Site designation for the EDGE property at President's Island is a testament to this team’s commitment to building a thriving community with the infrastructure and partnerships needed to attract global investment,” said Kirby Lewis-Gill, TNECD director of site development.

It is only the second site in Shelby County to receive the designation. (Previously the Mall of Memphis site along American Way was awarded certification.)

The site is owned by the Memphis and Shelby County Port Commission, which is part of the EDGE organizational umbrella.

Port Commission Executive Director Randy Richardson said the port helps contribute $6.2 billion in economic impact annually.

Bank of America donates $250,000 to Memphis Brooks Museum

On Jan. 4, Bank of America Memphis awarded the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art a $250,000 donation for use with the museum’s Black Arts Collective initiative. The program includes major exhibits from Black artists and educational workshops. The funds are distributed via an anchor grant.

“This group of art enthusiasts spans various sectors and ensures that Black artists and audiences are actively welcomed and supported within and through the city's museum and that their participation grows and deepens," Bank of America Memphis President Trevia Chatman said in a statement. "Our goals are to present a major exhibit by a Black artist annually, purchase a work of art each year, and educate the community on the Black art experience twice a year.”

Bank of America is the presenting sponsor for the museum's current Black American Portraits exhibition.

On Jan. 2, the museum received a donation of 75 works, including photographs, paintings and sculptures, from Black artists. Three of those works will be on display with the Black American Portraits exhibit.

The museum is in the process of relocating from Overton Park to its new $180 million Downtown location along Front Street. The 122,000-square-foot facility broke ground in June 2023 and is expected to open in 2025.

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Stellar Industrial acquires IMC Supply

On Jan. 3, Washington-based Stellar Industrial Supply acquired Memphis-based IMC Supply. The Whitehaven business has been headquartered in Memphis since 1960.

With the acquisition, the IMC facility will operate as a metalworking and technical hub for Stellar, its 19th regional hub within the U.S. and second in Tennessee (Knoxville is the other location).

“Over its six decades of operation IMC Supply has been a cornerstone for many families, contributing to the local economy and fostering a sense of community," IMC President Mark Hill said. "I have had the privilege of knowing John Wiborg, the owner of Stellar, for many years. I am confident that his leadership will ensure the continuation of the IMC legacy."

Barnhart Crane & Rigging Co. acquires White Crane

On Jan. 8, Memphis-based Barnhart Crane & Rigging Co. announced it had acquired South Carolina-based White Crane Co. Inc.

Barnhart has continued to expand significantly over the last year, with three acquisitions in 2023: In November Barnhart acquired Minnesota-based Armstrong Crane and Rigging Co. Previously the company purchased St. Louis-based Taylor Crane Rental in May 2023 and acquired Illinois-based Bollmeier Crane in October 2023.

The White Crane deal is the first of 2024 for the Memphis construction company.

“We are pleased to welcome White Crane to the expanding Barnhart family,” Barnhart Mid-Atlantic regional director David Wills said in a statement. “The company’s customer service is second to none, and their experience in heavy industrial lifts; shutdowns, turnarounds and outages; power generation plants; and the hauling, lifting, and setting of out-of-gauge components makes them a perfect fit for us.”

White Crane is based in West Columbia, South Carolina and was founded in 1977 by Eddie Flynt. The family-owned company has provided crane rentals, rigging and transport for services for clients more than three decades.

Barnhart was founded in 1969 in Memphis. The private company is one of the largest heavy lift and transportation organizations in the nation with more than 50 locations nationwide.

Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Riviana Foods in Memphis continues expansion, will add 80 new jobs