The city of Chattanooga is launching a new Down Payment Assistance Program that will provide up to $21,000 to qualifying first-time homebuyers through a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
The program is designed to expand access to homeownership as housing costs rise and the average age of a first-time buyer climbs to 40 nationwide. Funds are available to households earning up to 120% of area median income – about $92,000 for a two-person household and $114,000 for a family of four.
Mayor Tim Kelly said the initiative responds to concerns from essential workers who want to live in the city but struggle with up-front costs.
“We listened to our first responders, nurses and teachers who all say they love Chattanooga and want to live in the city,” Kelly said. “Their biggest barrier isn’t the monthly mortgage but the up-front cost of getting in the door.”
The assistance will be offered as a 0% interest deferred loan with no monthly payments. Repayment is only required when the home is sold or refinanced through a cash-out refinance, and participants must occupy the home as their primary residence.
To qualify, applicants must not have owned a home within the past three years, purchase a home within Chattanooga city limits priced at $400,000 or less, meet income requirements, complete an approved homebuyer education course and work with a participating lender.
Lenders already working with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency can access the program after completing training, while other financial institutions may apply through the city.
Officials said the city will collaborate with participating lenders to create a streamlined application process. Additional program details and a list of approved lenders will be posted on the city’s website in the coming weeks.
The city will also host informational sessions in May and June, including events for police and fire personnel on May 18, educators on June 2 and the general public on June 8.
Chattanooga Market opens 26th season
The Chattanooga Market will launch its 26th season April 25-26 at the First Horizon Pavilion, kicking off a spring tradition with expanded hours and a full slate of vendors, food and entertainment.
For opening weekend, the market will operate Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Afterward, regular hours will shift to Sundays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The weekly event brings together more than 200 vendors, including local artisans, farmers and food trucks. Opening weekend will spotlight seasonal strawberries, along with fresh flowers, baked goods and a range of handmade products such as jewelry, woodwork and photography.
Organizers say more than 30 food trucks will be on site, including several new additions this year.
Each Sunday throughout the season will feature a different theme, with upcoming highlights including the Strawberry Festival on May 3, Mother’s Day with Acura of Chattanooga May 10 and the Street Food Festival on May 24.
More information and a full event calendar are available at ChattanoogaMarket.com.
Conservancy eyes Hawkins Ridge purchase
Lookout Mountain Conservancy has signed a contract to purchase 22 acres of forested land on Hawkins Ridge in the St. Elmo community, with plans to preserve the property as protected greenspace.
The nonprofit says the tract, located along Tennessee Avenue and bordering Forest Hills Cemetery, would be maintained as natural woodlands with an existing trail system accessible to the public.
The organization has launched a fundraising effort, “Hawkins Ridge, Always,” with a goal of $875,000 to support the acquisition and long-term stewardship of the site.
President and CEO Robyn Carlton says the project represents a significant opportunity to preserve one of the remaining undeveloped forest areas in Chattanooga. She added that the group intends to manage the land for the benefit of surrounding South Chattanooga communities.
Founded 35 years ago, Lookout Mountain Conservancy stewards more than 1,500 acres of protected land and manages properties including Rockmont Park and the Guild-Hardy Trail.
PEF rebrands as Education Forward
Public Education Foundation will rebrand as Public Education Forward, marking a new chapter for the organization after more than 35 years of work in Hamilton County schools.
Leaders says the new name reflects both the group’s longstanding commitment to public education and its focus on innovation and future growth.
“The first two words of our new name state what we have always been committed to: public education,” says President Dan Challener. “The final word declares our commitment to help move public education forward.”
The organization will continue to center its work on three strategic priorities: supporting students from high school through careers, recruiting and developing teachers and fostering innovation across schools and districts.
Founded in 1988, the nonprofit has supported thousands of students and educators and works with every public school in Hamilton County. Its programs include VW eLabs, a digital fabrication initiative in dozens of schools, a teacher residency program and Camp College, which helps first-generation students pursue higher education.
Board Chair John Germ says the new name underscores the importance of sustaining progress in public education.
The organization also plans to roll out a new initiative focused on artificial intelligence in the coming months.
Water quality reports are available online
Tennessee American Water announced April 15 that its 2025 water quality reports are now available online, showing the utility continues to meet or exceed all state and federal drinking water standards.
Also known as Consumer Confidence Reports, the annual publications detail water sources, summarize laboratory testing results and provide information to help customers better understand their tap water.
Water quality standards are set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which oversee testing to ensure safe and reliable drinking water.
Company officials says the utility’s Citico Water Treatment Plant has received the Partnership for Safe Water Director’s Award for 25 consecutive years, recognizing long-term efforts to exceed regulatory requirements and optimize treatment processes.
The plant, located along the Tennessee Riverpark at Citico Creek, supplies drinking water to communities in Hamilton County and parts of northwest Georgia.
Customers can access the reports on the company’s website by searching with their ZIP code or request a printed copy through customer service.
Library Narive Oasis garden marks first year
Chattanooga Public Library is marking the first anniversary of its Native Oasis garden at the downtown branch with the addition of a new interactive sign highlighting native plant species.
Developed through a partnership with Lyndhurst Foundation, Thrive Regional Partnership, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center and WMWA Landscape Architects, the garden has transformed an underused space into a native plant habitat in the heart of downtown.
Planted in April 2025, the garden includes more than 600 plants representing 24 native species. Library Executive Director Will O’Hearn says the project reflects the library’s role in fostering curiosity and community engagement.
“Libraries help knowledge and curiosity grow, so it feels fitting that we’re helping native plants grow too,” O’Hearn says.
The new signage offers information about featured plants and their historical uses, while QR codes provide access to additional oral-history content about the region’s native landscape.
Library officials say the project underscores an ongoing effort to connect education, nature and public space.
ArtsBuild launches Culture Works
ArtsBuild has launched Culture Works, a certification program designed to recognize local businesses that support and invest in the city’s arts community.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, River City Company and the City of Chattanooga Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, aims to strengthen connections between the business and creative sectors.
The program was announced at Verre Noir, where owners Becca Coleman and Erin Leonard were recognized as the first participants. Businesses that earn certification display a Culture Works decal to signal their support for the arts through efforts such as hosting events, sponsoring performances or collaborating with local artists.
ArtsBuild President James McKissic says the program provides a framework for businesses to engage with the arts while reinforcing their role in the local economy.
Early participants include a range of local retailers, venues and financial institutions, among them First Horizon Bank and Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union.
Organizers says the program is intended to promote economic growth and community identity by encouraging deeper collaboration between Chattanooga’s arts and business communities.
SVN | Second Story posts $129M year
SVN | Second Story Real Estate Management reported $129.4 million in transaction volume across 109 deals in its latest annual report, marking continued growth a decade into operations.
In 2025, the Chattanooga-based firm opened a second office in Atlanta, expanded staffing across all departments and managed more than 1 million square feet of commercial space. The company also completed over 11,000 work orders and maintained multifamily tenant retention above 90%.
The firm ranked 22nd out of more than 200 offices within the SVN network.
Red Bank sets special election for city judge
The Hamilton County Election Commission has announced a special election to fill a vacancy in the Red Bank City Judge office, to be held Aug. 6, 2026, alongside the state and federal primary and county general election.
A special qualifying period has been established following a request from the city of Red Bank, allowing eligible candidates time to enter the race. Nominating petitions will be available beginning April 20, with a qualifying deadline of June 12 at noon.
Candidates must be at least 30 years old, a licensed Tennessee attorney in good standing with the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, and a resident of Red Bank for at least one year before the election.
Petitions may be obtained at the Hamilton County Election Commission office, 700 River Terminal Road in Chattanooga.
HCS expands Erlanger partnership
Hamilton County Schools has expanded its long-standing partnership with Erlanger Health System through the launch of the Erlanger Institute for Future Healthcare Professionals at the North River Future Ready Center.
The initiative introduces the first health science pathway in the district leading toward a Licensed Practical Nurse certification, expanding student opportunities in health care careers.
Erlanger has partnered with the district since 2018, beginning with the Erlanger Institute of Healthcare and Innovation at The Howard School.
The expansion to the North River Future Ready Center builds on that success, increasing access to hands-on learning and industry connections for students interested in health care.
Center for Sports Medicine breaks ground on clinic
The Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics marked a major milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 54,000-square-foot clinic and therapy facility on Tyner Road, a $22 million investment aimed at expanding access to orthopaedic care in the region.
Physicians, staff, community leaders and partners gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the facility, which will feature expanded clinic space, physical and occupational therapy services, MRI and CT imaging and a dedicated Urgent + Ortho Walk-In Clinic designed to streamline patient care.
Construction is underway, and the facility is expected to open in early 2027.
Free testing for donors
Blood donors in Chattanooga will soon receive free comprehensive blood testing when they give blood, thanks to a new partnership between Goodlabs and Blood Assurance aimed at boosting donations while expanding access to personal health insights.
The program launches May 1 at Blood Assurance’s East 4th Street location. Donors who schedule through the Goodlabs platform can select from a range of common lab panels, including complete blood counts, metabolic panels and lipid testing, as well as options for hormone, liver and kidney analysis.
Such tests can typically cost between $200 and $500 out of pocket, and might still require copays or deductibles for insured patients, putting routine screenings out of reach for many.
The initiative comes as blood donations have declined nationwide over the past two decades, even as demand remains steady. In the United States, a blood transfusion is needed every two seconds, supporting care ranging from cancer treatment to trauma response and childbirth.
Program organizers say the effort also addresses gaps in preventive care, as many Americans continue to delay or skip routine testing due to cost. Test results will be processed through CLIA-certified labs, including Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp and BioReference Laboratories, and delivered securely with plain-language explanations.