MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Set against an aerial view of the city, with the bold words “OUR ERA OF YES” prominently displayed inside the Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ, Mayor Paul Young delivered his annual State of the City address on Thursday, setting the tone for Memphis’ future. Through the lens of WigiThread’s Canon EOS 2000D, equipped with a powerful zoom lens, every moment was captured with clarity—bringing the energy of the night to life.
A Call to Action
“I’m not alone,” Young declared. “The City Council’s not alone in believing that we’re ready for more. It tells me that we’re ready to stop talking about all the potential that we had and we’re ready to start acting as if we’ve arrived.”
His speech took a heartfelt turn as he addressed the recent mass shooting near LeMoyne-Owen College, where two people lost their lives and three others were injured. Young emphasized that most violent crimes in Memphis are not random but stem from personal disputes, urging the community to put the guns down.
Economic Growth and Small Business Success
Shifting focus to the city’s progress, Young highlighted Memphis’ thriving small business scene, noting that 116 ribbon-cutting ceremonies took place in 2024. He emphasized that major businesses are choosing Memphis over other cities, recognizing its potential for growth.
Memphis: A New AI Powerhouse
One of the city’s most groundbreaking advancements is its emergence as a technology hub, marked by Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, establishing its headquarters in Memphis.
The Greater Memphis Chamber recently announced that xAI acquired a 1 million-square-foot facility in Southwest Memphis to expand its Colossus supercomputer at 3231 Paul R. Lowry Road. This facility will play a key role in xAI’s mission to scale its AI infrastructure, bringing high-tech investments and job opportunities to the city.
As part of its commitment to Memphis, xAI is undergoing a massive infrastructure expansion, requiring a 260-megawatt energy study by Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW). This is in addition to the ongoing construction of a 150-megawatt substation for its initial phase, with future expansions projected to support 1 million graphic processing units (GPUs).
Beyond Colossus, xAI has secured a 13-acre land deal at 2685 Plant Road for the development of its $80 million Colossus Water Recycle Plant and filed zoning permits for 5420 Tulane Road within the Stateline North Distribution Center, a large-scale industrial site positioned for high-tech growth.
A Game-Changer in AI and Social Media
On Friday, Musk announced that xAI had acquired X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, in an all-stock transaction valued at $45 billion, including $12 billion in debt. Musk emphasized the company’s growing influence, stating, “xAI and X’s futures are intertwined.” The combined company is now valued at $80 billion, reinforcing its position as a major player in AI.
With competition in AI heating up, xAI is rapidly expanding its data center operations, and Memphis is at the heart of its supercomputing ambitions. The Colossus supercomputer, which went online in September 2024, is already operating at 200,000 GPUs, with plans to scale up to 1,000,000 GPUs, making it one of the largest AI supercomputers in the world.
Memphis Leading the Future
These strategic developments position Memphis as a rising hub for AI and technology, aligning with Mayor Young’s vision for economic expansion and innovation.
WigiThread was on-site to document the mayor’s enthusiasm, capturing compelling images that reflect the city’s resilience and rapid growth.
“This is the opportunity for us to focus on us, locally,” Young said. “For us to drive our own destiny. We understand the challenges that we have here in Memphis. We understand the opportunities, and we’re prepared to focus on local-first solutions.”
Among the notable attendees were former Memphis Mayors A.C. Wharton and Willie Herenton, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, and several current and former Memphis City Council members.
As Mayor Young officially announced his plans to run for reelection, WigiThread’s photography provided a visual narrative of the night—capturing every moment, every expression, and every sign of Memphis’ continued push forward.
