Mississippi River Corridor

The Mississippi River Corridor - Tennessee, Inc. (formerly the Mississippi River Natural and Recreational Corridor) began in 2001 as an initiative of the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Memphis Regional Chamber. Over a period of several years, the vision developed that would create a $377 million dollar project to give Tennesseans and the visiting world access to America's great river in Tennessee. The estimated economic impact for visitor spending is projected to be $13.2 billion dollars over a twenty-year period.

The Mississippi River Corridor project has since become a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to Economic Development; Transportation and Infrastructure; Recreation, Historical and Cultural Amenities; Health and Wellness; and Education of the six counties (Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale, Dyer, Lake, and Obion) that border the Mississippi River. The Foundation's role will shift from project oversight and direction to conservation and acquisition of the key scenic and critical lands in the Corridor.

The Mississippi River Corridor is a complex and ever-evolving project that involves uniting hundreds of key stakeholders and property owners within the region to preserve the area’s important and significant resources like vegetation; wildlife; soils; water; trails; sites of  historical, geological, and archaeological interests; scenic views; vistas; and areas of high aesthetic value. The mission is to identify, conserve, and interpret the region’s natural, cultural, and scenic resources to improve the quality of life and prosperity in West Tennessee.

The Corridor will provide managed access to this unique region for recreational and educational experiences along the Mississippi River. Not only is this a critical project for the preservation of the region, its wildlife and natural amenities, it is equally important in the economic development for the distressed counties in Tennessee that are experiencing major loss of employment, high unemployment rates, and high concentrations of employment in declining industries.

The potential economic impact of this project is a windfall to the region. The Corridor will attract thousands of tourists as well as local travelers along the newly developing Interstate 69. Recreational and outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, biology and botany researchers, families, and students of all ages will benefit from the Corridor’s magnificent trails and scenic vistas, interpretive nature centers, and recreational facilities. Development of amenities to support the influx of visitors and new development ventures will positively impact job creation, capital investments, income levels, and local and state tax revenues.

The Mississippi River Natural and Recreational Corridor project was made possible through the generous support of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area (Center for Historic Preservation, Middle Tennessee State University), the Memphis Regional Chamber, and The McKnight Foundation.  Thank you!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:  www.msrivertn.org

CONTACTS:

Graydon Swisher, Regional Land Conservation Director, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, 1954 E. Chimneyrock, Cordova, Tennessee 38016, Phone: (901) 737-3114; Fax: (901) 737-3048; e-mail: Graydon Swisher

Kathleen Williams, President and Executive Director, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation, 1205-A Linden Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, Phone: (615) 386-3171; e-mail: tenngreen@earthlink.net

John Sheahan, Vice President, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation; Chief Executive Officer/Treasurer, Mississippi River Corridor - TN, 109 South Street East Collierville, Tennessee 38017, Phone: (901) 854-4466; e-mail: johnpatricksheahan@comcast.net