MEM downsize again as Pinnacle packs bags to MSP

Pinnacle to relocate to MSP as part of restructuring

Pinnacle Airlines today announced that the company will relocate its headquarters from Memphis, Tenn., to Minneapolis/St. Paul as part of its plan to emerge from bankruptcy.“Our analysis covered everything from the available labor pool, operational alignment to economic incentives,” said John Spanjers, president and CEO of Pinnacle Airlines, in a memo to employees. “Both Memphis and the State of Minnesota presented very strong cases. In the end, it was an economic decision.”
Pinnacle currently occupies 170,000 square feet at One Commerce Square in downtown Memphis. Under the relocation plan, the company will move its operation to a vacant space in Building C, leased by Delta on Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport property. The move is expected to be completed by May 2013.
On Jan. 16, the bankruptcy court approved a set of comprehensive agreements that would provide a path out of bankruptcy for Pinnacle. Pinnacle must file a plan of reorganization acceptable to Delta and the Creditors’ Committee by February 15, 2013.

I know this is going to upset some people around here, but I don't think Memphis really should be a hub anymore. There are no major tourism attractions (unlike HNL, MCO, DEN in winter, etc) and it's a relatively small area. When NW and DL merged, MEM was left right between two other hubs (ATL and CVG) in the area - the closer of which also being the largest hub DL has. I'm sure I'm not the only one that thinks that, and it's only a matter of time before MEM becomes the next MKE.