News - Friday, September 7, 2018

Since bouncing back from the Great Recession, Tennessee’s economy has been in the midst of a prolonged expansion. The recovery, now in its eighth year, could soon become the longest since the end of World War II.

Most measures of economic and employment activities in the state are showing sustained, healthy growth, say economists and other industry seers who track economic data such as the jobs and wage growth.

The Ledger asked four career development leaders in Tennessee for their advice about how to approach the job market. We also asked them about promising careers and what issues are important to tackle as the state adds jobs, new industries and more education and training.

Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council states the advanced energy sector is so strong in Tennessee that it outperforms the state’s overall economy, employing nearing 360,000 Tennesseans in more than 18,000 businesses that contribute almost $40 billion to the state’s gross domestic product.

Because cycling is increasing in popularity as a form of exercise and recreation, as well as a means of transportation, specialized mechanics and repairers are in demand.

Although bicycle repairers/mechanics aren’t needed in massive amounts, the field is on the rise. It is the 12th-fastest growing career in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.

Several institutions in the state, including Chattanooga State Community College, Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge, South College in Knoxville and Volunteer State Community College, offer accredited two-year degrees that train students to be physical therapy assistants, often called a PTA.

Some careers, although not registering meteoric growth, are still showing a healthy demand from consumers and career seekers alike. A fitting example: a meeting and event planner.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this relatively new career will increase 10 percent by 2026.

Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin is home to one of six nationally accredited diagnostic medical sonography program in Tennessee. Others include Vanderbilt University, South College in Knoxville and Chattanooga State Community College.

Careers that require trained mathematicians and statisticians are on the rise in almost all sectors of the economy. That’s because technological, engineering and business problems are often of such complexity that they require a high level of mathematical treatment.

Chattanooga attorneys fared well in the 25th edition of Best Lawyers, a peer-review guide to the legal profession.

Attorneys named to “The Best Lawyers in America” are recognized by their peers in the legal industry for their professional excellence in 145 practice areas. For the 2019 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America,” 7.8 million votes were analyzed.

With apologies to Robert Zimmerman, “the times they are a-changing.” Unlike Bob Dylan’s 1964 song of rebellion, Capitol Hill isn’t turning into a hotbed of liberals, although someday the first could be last. In fact, it could turn more conservative this fall before things take a different direction.

The Craig Group at Keller Williams Realty Chattanooga has added a third member – and a third generation – to its team of Realtors.

Drew Craig has joined the team as a buyer’s agent, having recently graduated from Lee University with a degree in accounting. The team now consists of Carol Craig, Carol’s son Jay Craig, and Jay’s son Drew.

Chattanooga-based Realtor Kelly Cooper is Keller Williams’ No. 10 agent in the Southeast.

Cooper has claimed the No. 10 spot on KW’s “Top 20 Individual Agents Rockin’ The Region in Gross Commission Income” list, pushing Chattanooga to compete with the Atlanta and Nashville markets.

Despite weakening optimism from non-owners at the end of last year that now is a good time to buy, an overwhelming majority say they do want to own a home someday and say homeownership is part of their American dream.

That’s according to new consumer survey data from the National Association of Realtors, which additionally found that non-owners’ lifestyle changes and improvements in their financial situation outweigh seeing their rent increase as the main motivators for deciding to buy a home.

It’s back-to-school time, which means Chattanooga-area parents are vowing that this year they’ll finally be organized.

There will be no more tears, threats, or lost field-trip permission slips. The kids will walk out the door with their completed homework and a healthy lunch snug in their backpacks.

American financial and lending systems look vastly different nearly a decade after the defining moments of the Great Recession, thanks in part to safe and sound lending and regulatory policy reforms strongly supported by the National Association of Realtors.

Four engineers have joined Volkswagen Chattanooga as part of the company’s global Future Electronic Engineer Program. 

They will participate in on-the-job training with Volkswagen experts in Wolfsburg, Germany, for six months to one year.

National Grandparents Day is observed on Sept. 9. If you’re a grandparent, you may get some gifts or cards – or maybe even a phone call. But you might feel that it’s better to give than to receive, especially when it comes to your grandchildren.

Dr. Lee and Sharron Jackson and Dan and Amber Norton will co-chair CHI Memorial Foundation’s 14th annual Pink! Gala, to be held Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

The Jacksons and Nortons have been involved with the Pink! gala for many years as Pink! has raised more than $4 million to ensure the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center at CHI Memorial has access to the highest level of breast care available.

When film director Stanley Kubrick began the journey to make “2001: A Space Odyssey,” he told his co-writer on the project, author Arthur C. Clarke, that he was going to make the best science fiction film that had ever been made.

While watching “2001” during its recent 50th anniversary 70MM and IMAX re-release, I came to believe that Kubrick could have justifiably said he was going to make the best science fiction film that would ever be made.

By Rhiannon Potkey

Austin Gatewood was sold on nothing more than a vision. There were no uniforms to wear, no stadium to play in, no veteran teammates to guide him.

East Tennessee State University was restarting its football program after more than a decade of dormancy, and Gatewood was asked to be one of its inaugural recruits.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Chattanooga Housing Authority $250,000 for emergency and security improvements.

“One of our primary responsibilities to the individuals and families living in our communities is their safety,” says Elizabeth McCright, CHA executive director. “This grant will help provide the tools we need to keep our residents safe.”

Amid blue skies and sweltering heat, members of the public and local community leaders on Aug. 30 joined Sheriff Jim Hammond and other members of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office at Chattanooga Memorial Park in White Oak to dedicate a new grave marker for fallen deputy Charles Garfield.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga invites the Chattanooga community to view the “Jewish Words” exhibition at the Jewish Cultural Center, located at 5461 North Terrace Road, through Oct. 11.

The exhibit includes works by 21 artists from all over the U.S. The exhibit may be viewed Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The exhibit may also be viewed at www.Jewishchattanooga.com.