The city of Chattanooga is being awarded $4 million in federal grants to help the city improve pedestrian safety and connect communities.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Chattanooga a $2 million planning grant from the Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods program to conduct feasibility and design work on the infrastructure components of the Westside Evolves plan.
Residents have said US-27 and Riverfront Parkway together contribute to the neighborhood’s isolation and residents’ feelings of separation from the larger Chattanooga community. Westside Evolves includes recommendations for two new street connections, as well as other street improvements that will reconnect the disadvantaged neighborhood to downtown Chattanooga and the Riverfront district.
USDOT has also awarded Chattanooga a $2 million Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant to improve safety at mid-block crossings for pedestrians, bicyclists and others not in vehicles.
The solution will be based on the Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything connected mobility platform – which allows vehicles to interact with other nearby vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, road infrastructure and mobile networks – and will focus on the 3rd Street “health” corridor between Siskin and Glenwood Drives. This stretch of road connects underserved communities with transit services, schools and medical facilities and also provides residents with transportation connections among Erlanger, Parkridge and Memorial Hospitals.
The city will lead the project and collaborate with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Audi, Leidos, Qualcomm, Harman and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America to deliver on the project goals.
Chattanooga State launches flooring training
A new program at Chattanooga State Community College is helping students from as far away as Atlanta and Knoxville prepare to work as flooring installers.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports the floor covering industry has 9,800 job openings each year, many of which are created by employees who transfer industries or retire.
Students enrolled in Chattanooga State’s current cohort are attending the program cost-free.
A joint effort between the Floor Covering Education Foundation and other partners – including Chattanooga State, K.A. Solutions and the office of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly – has afforded 10 students the opportunity to receive 300 hours of training and complete the program with the skills to install carpet, tile, resilient flooring and hardwood without incurring any educational costs.
K.A. Solutions provided funding to secure an Airbnb accommodation for four students who travel from Atlanta to Chattanooga to study flooring installation. The Kelly office has funded transportation between the cities.
The FCEF provided an additional $750 in tuition funds per class, per student, which will total $6,000 if each student completes all four installation courses.
Upon completion, the students will have three industry-recognized credentials in resilient, hardwood and carpet.
Erlanger updates leadership structure
Erlanger has initiated a new leadership structure that’s more closely aligned with similar nonprofit organizations. The health system became a private 501(c)(3) in July.
Changes to leadership include the retirement of leader Gregg Gentry. Gentry has served 35 years in various leadership roles, including director of compensation and benefits, chief administrative officer and chief of staff to the president and CEO.
Tyler Winks, who previously held the interim chief operating officer position, is transitioning into the permanent role of executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer.
Wendy Fournet, former chief human resources officer, will assume the role of executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
Rachel Harris, previously senior vice president and chief nurse executive, will now hold the title of EVP and chief nursing officer.
Federal support strengthens 211 system
The United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s 211 service will soon be expanding to help more families in need following the nonprofit’s acquisition of $1.5 million in one-time Community Project Funds secured by U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann.
This is the first time the local United Way has sought support through the Community Project Funds program. Fleischmann initially requested the 211 funding in March 2023; the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate approved it in March 2024.
The funds will allow 211 to expand its services in new ways, particularly with regard to connecting residents to job placement, training and skills development.