Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and JNJ Express officials announced that the transportation company will invest $83.6 million to expand its operations in Memphis.
JNJ will create 610 new jobs over the next five years as it establishes a new corporate headquarters and operations campus in Southeast Memphis.
“JNJ’s announcement today once again shows that Memphis has momentum,” Lee said. “This investment will revitalize a retail site that has been vacant for a long time, and it will jumpstart the surrounding area, leading to what we hope will be even more investments in the months ahead.”
“We’re pleased that JNJ has decided to expand its operations in Memphis,” Rolfe said. “I’d like to thank JNJ for its continued commitment to Memphis and Tennessee. The hundreds of new jobs will help build a strong economic base in South Memphis, boost local incomes and improve the lives of Shelby County residents.”
JNJ will redevelop and occupy a former retail site at 5000 American Way. The company’s new campus will consolidate its headquarters and include human relations, accounting, information technology, marketing and other corporate functions. JNJ will also construct a second building for its operations division, which will include distribution, maintenance and transportation functions.
“JNJ Express is thrilled to announce the development of our new headquarters and facility,” JNJ CEO John Ennis Jr. said. “We pride ourselves in being the best carrier in the Mid-South, and this new facility continues our commitment not only to excellence but to this region. This state-of-the-art facility will have many amenities to boast, but we are most excited about giving our hard-working drivers and employees a great place to work. There is no place we would rather build our future home than in this city and this county. We appreciate the support of the city and county, EDGE, the State of Tennessee, and TVA in making this project feasible at this location. We look forward to being a growing presence in this community for decades to come.”
JNJ currently has 290 employees in the Memphis area. The family owned and operated company specializes in transportation and logistics services.
“Currently, trucking companies around the country are experiencing a shortage of qualified drivers,” Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said. “With this expansion over the next five years, JNJ Express will do their part to cut that deficit. They’re creating hundreds of good paying jobs right here in Memphis, and I couldn’t be happier with this announcement. I look forward to working with them as we move through the process and excited about the future of this Memphis-based company.”
“It is exciting to see high quality, high wage jobs in the logistics industry moving to Shelby County,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. “The state and our new Governor are really on a roll in terms of new business recruitment. Furthermore, to have a significant investment in Southeast Memphis is win for that community.”
“TVA and Memphis Light Gas and Water congratulate JNJ on its decision to expand operations and create hundreds of new job opportunities in Memphis,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. “Helping to foster job creation is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service and we are proud to partner with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Greater Memphis Chamber, EDGE, City of Memphis and Shelby County to help further that mission.”
Memphis and Shelby County are represented by Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D – Memphis), Sen. Brian Kelsey (R – Germantown), Sen. Sara Kyle (D – Memphis), Sen. Katrina Robinson (D – Memphis), Rep. Karen Camper (D – Memphis), Rep. Jim Coley (R – Bartlett), Rep. Jesse Chism (D – Memphis), Rep. Barbara Cooper (D – Memphis), Rep. John DeBerry (D – Memphis), Rep. G.A. Hardaway (D – Memphis), Rep. London Lamar (D – Memphis), Rep. Tom Leatherwood (R – Arlington), Rep. Larry Miller (D – Memphis), Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D – Memphis), Rep. Dwayne Thompson (D – Cordova), Rep. Joe Towns (D – Memphis), Rep. Kevin Vaughan (R – Collierville) and Rep. Mark White (R – Memphis) in the Tennessee General Assembly.