MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In Wednesday's Ransom Note, here it comes!
We're just beginning to see the muscle Ford Motor Company will flex as it builds its new electric pickup plant in Haywood County.
Take Thursday's meeting between Ford executives and Memphis companies. If you were one of those who said "Sure, the new Ford plant will be good for Haywood County and maybe Arlington and Lakeland, but not for Memphis," you tell me the last time a company like Ford said it was ready to pour money into the inner city.
Ford's Greg Christensen said while companies will be hired from all over our area, overlooked communities will get special attention.
"Everything from electricians to carpenters to steel workers, iron workers, sheet metal, it's really all encompassing," Christensen said.
In fact, the Black Business Association of Memphis put it the best way I've heard so far.
"Ford is bringing our Atlanta moment to the market," Ernest Strickland said.
We've earned the right to be cynical. Memphians have heard too many promises of big projects that ended up being boondoggles. But this time, it's real.
Ford's biggest project ever is about to go up in our backyard. This time, it's OK to get excited.