Orange Mound Collaborative

Gateway to the World Opens Near Orange Mound

Oct 09, 2000

U. S. Department of Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater was one of a number of local, state and federal officials who spoke at the grand opening of the new world runway at the Memphis International Airport, Friday, September 23, 2000.

Memphis International is already the largest generator of jobs and revenue in the Mid-South area. Memphis is already known as "America's Distribution Center." The new runway will enable Memphis to one day be the global distribution center.

During his remarks, Secretary Slater commented that runways now replace main streets as the most important thoroughfare in the community. This runway will enable Mid-South to reach new markets and create new jobs. In recent years' Memphis has experienced unprecedented economic growth and officials present echoed Mayor Herenton's words, "Memphis' best days are ahead of it."