Pinnacle Airlines is not taking off. So to speak.
After being wooed by Mississippi and then by local leaders in Shelby County, Pinnacle has decided to relocate to One Commerce Square.
“I am so happy to welcome Pinnacle Airlines and their employees to downtown Memphis. They have been terrific corporate citizens of Memphis for many years, and their belief in our city is truly inspiring,” Memphis mayor A C Wharton said in a statement. “I know that they were considering several extremely enticing offers, including at least one that would have taken their corporate headquarters out of Tennessee altogether. This decision speaks volumes about our downtown business community’s long-term strength.”
After what Wharton called an “unprecedented” joint effort by the Memphis City Council, Shelby County Mark Luttrell, the Center City Commission, U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the airline will take over 12 floors in the downtown building.
In August, the City Council approved $18 million in economic incentives for Pinnacle, including $3 million from a city economic development fund.
The Center City Commission (CCC) is hosting a welcome pep rally for Pinnacle employees this Friday, October 8th, at Main and Monroe from 8:45 to 9:15 a.m.
