South City Early Childhood Education Center*
Memphis, TN
Located in Memphis’ South City Choice Neighborhood, the South City Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) represents a major step forward in the community’s revitalization. Once defined by large public housing superblocks and decades of disinvestment, South City is being transformed through HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative into a vibrant, mixed-income community anchored by opportunity and inclusion.
Developed by Urban Renaissance Partners and ComCap Partners, the 17,495-square-foot center adapts and expands a long-vacant school building to bring new life to a key neighborhood corner. Operated by Porter-Leath, a trusted Memphis education provider with more than 20 years of experience, the facility will serve up to 188 children ages 2–6. Families will benefit from financial aid and priority enrollment for neighborhood residents, including 40 Head Start seats. Porter-Leath’s proven early childhood programs emphasize kindergarten readiness, social-emotional growth, and strong family engagement.
The project was made possible through a $10 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) investment from MBS Urban Initiatives CDE, $5.5 million in additional NMTC allocation from the Nonprofit Finance Fund, and $2 million from U.S. Bank Impact Finance.
The South City ECEC expands access to high-quality early education, creates 27 permanent jobs, and reactivates a once-abandoned community asset—advancing the broader vision of a thriving, equitable South City neighborhood.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Quick Facts
Location: Memphis, TN
Square Footage: 17,495 sq ft
Total Development Cost: $18,161,116
MBS UI NMTC Allocation: $10,000,000
QALICB: South City Early Ed Inc.
Allocatees: MBS Urban Initiatives CDE, Nonprofit Finance Fund, USB CDE
NMTC Equity Investor: U.S. Bank
General Contractor: FlintCo
Architect: BRG3s
Leverage Lender and Indirect Lenders: Urban Renaissance Partners, LLC, Memphis Housing Authority, HUD, Assisi Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Wilson Foundation, Neighborhood Preservation, Inc., City of Memphis, other donors
Projected construction jobs: 230
Projected permanent jobs: 27