The region is developing an advanced telecommunications grid.
The growth of Memphis as a logistics and distribution center is a motivating force for the region to develop high-tech telecommunications. The University of Memphis, Arkansas State University, University of Mississippi and Christian Brothers University have developed new programs in communications technology to enhance the region's communications capacities and increase the region's technology workforce capabilities. As this technology evolves, many telecommunications companies (including BellSouth, XO Communications, AOL Time Warner, etc.) are expanding their services throughout the region.

The region has a large power grid.
The region's sources of energy are almost equally split between the Tennessee Valley Authority to the east of the Mississippi River and Entergy to the west and some parts of North Mississippi. At the center of the region, covering most of Shelby County and extending slightly east, is Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW)-an integrated utility provider.

The region has an extensive water supply system.
The region's water supply system is dependent on a plentiful source of drinking water found in the vast underground aquifers that flow beneath (and in the same direction as) the Mississippi River at depths of 500 (Claiborne Sands), 1400 (Wilcox Sands) and 2500 feet (McNairy Sands). To access these aquifers, wells have been drilled to the first two levels and the deepest, at 2500 feet, has not as yet been pumped. The United States Geologic Survey identifies two sets of aquifers in the region: one generally to the east of the Mississippi River which is composed of semi-consolidated sand, and another generally to the west composed of unconsolidated sand and gravel. To increase available water supply if the need should arise, a concept for bringing water from the White River to irrigate is being discussed.

Wastewater is handled in a series of municipal sewer systems and individual septic tanks.
While the many municipal wastewater systems in the metro area have adequate capacity, they do not operate as an integrated metropolitan network. Across the metro and surrounding region in areas that lack wastewater systems, there is extensive use of septic tanks. While the present wastewater network has the capacity to meet current needs, it also poses a potential threat to the region's water supply.

Recommendations

Work to create an integrated regional communications system.
Within the Memphis region a single consolidated communications network that allows for local calls across the region does not exist. This is a barrier to the internal communications vital to building an integrated economy. Increased collaboration between the region's providers will be required to create a common communications network. A one-rate region would facilitate communications within the region, thereby strengthening the region's social and economic linkage.

Once deregulation of the power supply goes into effect, a policy needs to be developed to address the new power demands.
Although service providers have the current capacity to meet the entire region's needs, there are future capacity concerns due to recent brownouts that have occurred in parts of the region during peak summer demand. Plans are under way for new power generation within the region to provide for future needs.

Ensure the long-term supply of quality water.
Water supply protection requires protection of the aquifers. The metro area and the region are not integrated into a consistent water management and urban growth master plan. There are several problems stemming from this issue. First, aquifer recharge areas are threatened due to lack of sufficient land use controls. Second, aquifer interchange is a potential problem, especially if one aquifer becomes polluted due to inappropriate land use in recharge areas, the other could also become polluted. This possibility is not remote-salinization in east Arkansas is a real threat. Third, only Shelby County has placed strict limitations on withdrawal of water from regional aquifers for industrial use. There should be a regional consensus on regulating industrial and other commercial water uses. Regional coordination of land use to protect these areas is critical, and should involve the Ground Water Institute.

An integrated wastewater plan should be developed.
Currently, wastewater management is not adequately coordinated with land use policies and urban growth. New suburban development should be regulated and coordinated with future wastewater provision plans. An integrated wastewater plan that creates a comprehensive metropolitan wastewater systems plan would reduce the need for septic tanks and enable the region to maintain a high quality of discharge. While a large portion of the metro has a master plan, many significant areas are not currently a part of it and need to be included to insure high quality of wastewater discharges.

Increased coordination between infrastructure and transportation improvements is key to urban growth management.
Rather than a reactive approach to suburban growth, the coordination of transportation improvements, land use policies and infrastructure provision could proactively influence urban growth throughout the region. Increased regional coordination of planning and investments in regional infrastructure and transportation improvements can have a direct impact on the region's future land use as well as assist in revitalization efforts. This integrated approach will more efficiently use the region's land resources as well as its investments in new or improved infrastructure.