Memphis political leaders react to Elon Musk's xAI supercomputer coming to the Mid-South

After the announcement was made by the Greater Memphis Chamber, numerous local leaders issued statements expressing their excitement. Elon Musk's xAI, founded by the tech giant, is set to build the "world's largest supercomputer" in Memphis, according to the Greater Memphis Chamber. The project is expected to open this year and represents a multibillion-dollar investment, the largest by a new-to-market company in Memphis history. The location of the supercomputer is not yet confirmed. The former Electrolux facility at 3231 Paul Lowry Rd. is believed to be the presumed location for the xAI supercomputer. Memphis Mayor Paul Young praised the city's partners, including the GreaterMemphis Chamber and Memphis Light, Gas and Water, for creating a "transformational project" and accelerating the design and construction of a grey water facility designed to deliver cooling water for the company, TVA, the City of Memphis wastewater treatment plant and future commercial and industrial users. Other local leaders also expressed excitement about the investment.

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Local leaders from around Memphis are reacting to the news that xAI, founded by tech giant Elon Musk, will build the "world's largest supercomputer" in Memphis. The announcement came from the Greater Memphis Chamber Wednesday afternoon.

Chamber President and CEO Ted Townsend said the project represents a multibillion-dollar investment and is the largest by a new-to-market company in Memphis history. Final job counts and total investment are still being calculated by the company, he said. The project is expected to open this year.

Few specifics were provided about the project, which is called "xAI's Gigafactory of Compute," including its location. Townsend said due to global security concerns, the location would not be announced. However, the former Electrolux facility at 3231 Paul Lowry Rd. is the presumed location for the xAI supercomputer.

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Memphis Mayor Paul Young on Wednesday said the city had "great partners at the Greater Memphis Chamber and MLGW who were ready to make this happen."

"We had an ideal site, ripe for investment," Young said in a statement. "And we had the power of our people who created new and innovative processes to keep up with the pace required to land this transformational project."

President and CEO of Memphis Light, Gas and Water Doug McGowen said the utility company is "pleased" about Musk's choice for Memphis but that the company will need to join an "electricity demand response program."

"Even more beneficial to our community, we are excited that the company will join the discussion in our ongoing effort to accelerate the proposed design and construction of a grey water facility intended to deliver cooling water for the company, TVA, the City of Memphis wastewater treatment plant and future commercial and industrial users. This will reeducate the demand for aquifer water," McGowen said.

“This is great news for Memphis and the Memphis economy and will make our region a focus for the future of artificial intelligence. Mr. Musk’s smart decision to locate his supercomputer in Memphis will be a boon to our growing tech industry, attract new businesses and create good jobs. I congratulate Greater Memphis Chamber President and CEO Ted Townsend and his team for guiding and coordinating this major victory for Memphis,” said Congressman Steve Cohen, who represents a portion of Memphis.

Tennessee House Minority Leader Karen Camper issued a statement also expressing excitement about the investment. She congratulated Memphis Mayor Paul Young and his team "for their ability to make this happen quickly."

"I’ve said numerous times that the arrival of BlueOval was only the first step in a renaissance for this region, which is why I fought so hard for the Megasite and its development in the legislature," Camper said. "Now, I eagerly await what’s next on the horizon.”

Tennessee Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari said she is proud of community leaders "embracing the challenge," presented by xAI and that the project is poised to transform Memphis into a tech hub.

“The stage is set for Memphis to become the world leader in artificial intelligence and computing. It’s really impossible to overstate the economic and technological impact of developing the largest supercomputer in the world — right here in Memphis. Grind City is on the verge of adding a new nickname: the Supercomputer City," Akbari said in a statement.

State Sen. Brent Taylor said in a statement that the Republican majority in the Tennessee General Assembly is to thank, as they are aiming to "help Memphis solve its crime issues."

“Entrepreneurs like Elon Musk see my colleagues and I are intent on getting Memphis’ crime to a manageable level,” Taylor said in the statement. “After all, Tennessee cannot be successful if its most famous city is not successful. I am pleased with Musk’s decision to invest in our community, and I intend to do all that I can to make xAI a success.”

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to give his remarks regarding the company's choice of Memphis as its site for the supercomputer.

"This historic investment, which is the largest single investment in Memphis’ history, will lead us into the next generation of technology and transform West Tennessee into an innovation hub," Kustoff said.

Sen. Bil Hagerty posted on X congratulating Musk on the "exciting new initiative." He said he was "pleased to welcome" the project to Tennessee.

State Rep. John Gillespie also took to X to express his excitement, saying "Tennessee is a champion for recruiting new businesses."

"Looking forward to all the great opportunities this brings to our community," he added.

Topik: Business Leaders

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