About Us

The Mississippi River Corridor - Tennessee, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit Tennessee corporation. Its mission is to identify, conserve and interpret the region’s natural, cultural and scenic resources to improve the quality of life and prosperity in West Tennessee.

The MRCT is dedicated to the economic development, land conservation, environment and wildlife preservation of the six counties that border the Mississippi River along the entire western border of Tennessee. The six counties that comprise the Corridor are Shelby, Tipton, Lauderdale, Dyer, Lake and Obion.

The Corridor is a complex and ever-evolving project that involves uniting hundreds of key stakeholders and property owners within the region to preserve the area’s important and significant resources like vegetation, wildlife, soils, water, trails, sites of historical, geological and archaeological interests, scenic views, vistas and areas of high aesthetic value. The Corridor will provide managed access to this unique region for recreational and educational experiences along the Mississippi River.

Not only is this a critical initiative for the preservation of the region, its wildlife and natural amenities, it is equally important in the economic development of these distressed counties in western Tennessee that are experiencing a major loss of employment opportunities and contain high concentrations of employment in declining industries.

The potential economic impact of this project is a windfall for the region. The Corridor will attract thousands of tourists as well as regional travelers along the developing Interstate 69 and the newly designated FHWA National Scenic Byway. Recreational and outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, biology and botany researchers, families, and students of all ages will benefit from the Corridor’s magnificent trails and scenic vistas, interpretive centers and recreational facilities. Development of amenities to support the influx of visitors and new development ventures will positively impact job creation, capital investments, income levels and local and state tax revenues.