MEMPHIS, Tenn. — When it comes to recruiting businesses to the City of Memphis, payments in lieu of taxes, or pilots, are one of the most debated issues in city government.
But now some city leaders want to know if the organization known for bringing in economic growth would have too much power if it’s restructured.
“I have always said that Edge has too much power. It all comes back to the Council and Commission when these Pilots are handed out,” said City Council member Harold Collins.
Appearing on Live at 9 on Monday, Collins and Alan Crone said the Economic Development Growth Engine, or EDGE, for Memphis and Shelby County requested a hearing before the City Council this week.
They said EDGE has proposed that it consolidate with other similar boards.
“I don’t know if it’s a matter of having too much muscle. I think it’s a matter of making sure we are directing that muscle in the right direction and make sure everybody is accountable,” said Crone.
According to Smart City Memphis, 458 pilots were issued in Memphis between January and June of this year.
Chattanooga received 60.
Nashville received 15 while Knoxville only received 14.
City Council members said the key word for them was accountability.
“The Council and Commission are held responsible where Edge can allow these Pilots to go without any kind of indifference from the Council,” said Collins.
“When we do give PILOTS we are holding the recipients of the pilots accountable for creating the jobs and doing the things they say they’d do in order to get,” added Crone.