Chattanooga Tourism Co. is kicking off the next phase of a strategic effort to strengthen Hamilton County’s role as a destination for sports tourism with a series of site visits in June. These visits are part of a sports tourism facilities assessment that aims to evaluate the county’s tournament-ready venues and identify opportunities for future development.
The assessment comes at a time when Chattanooga is expanding its footprint in the sports tourism market, most recently by securing the TSSAA Tennis State Championships for 2026 and 2027.
“We compete with every other city to bring sports tournaments and special events to Chattanooga, and we need to remain competitive,” says Barry White, president and CEO of Chattanooga Tourism Co. “Great sports facilities help us attract new events and retain the events, like the NCAA softball national championship, which are already in our portfolio. In turn, Chattanoogans benefit by having well-equipped sports facilities nearby that their families can use.”
Tourism is a major economic driver in Hamilton County. Sports tourism, in particular, is a key strategic pillar for the tourism agency, which maintains a dedicated sales and event production team to recruit, support and retain events.
In 2024 alone, Chattanooga Tourism Co. helped bring 102 sports events to the area, drawing approximately 220,000 attendees. Marquee events included IRONMAN 70.3, the Head of the Hooch rowing regatta, the TSSAA Girls’ Soccer State Championships, the BlueCross Bowl TSSAA Football State Championships and the NJCAA Division III Softball Championship.
The ongoing facilities assessment, which began in mid-2024 with funding from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD), will provide a detailed analysis of existing venues and their capacity to meet the demands of high-level competition.
Consultants will evaluate infrastructure, amenities and growth potential as part of the site visits. The findings will help shape a strategic vision for enhancing local sports assets and increasing Chattanooga’s competitiveness in the national events market.
The study also aligns with regional planning initiatives, including East Ridge’s Camp Jordan Sports Facilities Feasibility Study and the city of Chattanooga’s broader Parks and Outdoors Plan. During the June site visits, consultants will engage with local stakeholders, tour key venues, and gather input on facility usage and development needs. Additional stakeholder meetings are expected to follow later this year.
“This study is not just about bringing in more events,” White says. “It’s about making sure our investments in sports infrastructure serve the people who live here while positioning Chattanooga as a leader in sports tourism.”
Realtors advocate for housing policies
A delegation from Greater Chattanooga Realtors (GCR) traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to meet with members of Congress and advocate for policies aimed at increasing housing availability and expanding access to homeownership.
The meetings took place during the 2025 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Legislative Meetings and included discussions with U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, as well as Representative Chuck Fleischmann.
During their visit, the 12 GCR members emphasized several key issues impacting the real estate market, including the importance of private property rights, expanding the housing supply and supporting self-employed professionals. The group also highlighted research from NAR that underscores real estate’s significant contribution to the U.S. economy and its vital role in fostering strong communities.
“Real estate represents nearly one-fifth of the United States’ GDP,” says GCR President Ellis Gardner. “The meetings on Capitol Hill were an opportunity for GCR to talk directly with lawmakers about the positive impact Realtors have in local communities and for the broader economy.”
With the nation facing a housing shortage estimated at 4.7 million homes, GCR and NAR are urging federal policymakers to take steps that will remove market constraints, promote new housing development and ensure more Americans can afford to buy homes.
“Homeownership builds generational wealth, but a 4.7 million home shortage threatens middle-class prosperity,” Gardner adds. “The members of Congress we met with were receptive to our ideas and appreciated that Realtors are hard-working entrepreneurs who make the American Dream of homeownership possible.”
The Capitol Hill meetings were part of a broader effort by NAR and its state and local associations to represent the interests of the real estate industry and advocate for long-term housing solutions.
United Way commits $600K Bridge Fund relief
In response to mounting demand and deepening funding gaps across the nonprofit sector, United Way of Greater Chattanooga has announced a $600,000 investment through its Bridge Fund to support local organizations that provide essential services such as food, shelter, health care and transportation.
This latest round of funding also prioritizes frequent referral partners of the 211 Helpline.
“We’re hearing from our nonprofit partners: the need is urgent and flexible funding is scarce,” says Abby Garrison, vice president of community investments at United Way of Greater Chattanooga. “This Bridge Fund investment is a direct result of what we heard and shows the United Way is responding with action.”
The Bridge Fund is a key part of United Way’s broader Community Investment funding model, which strategically allocates donor dollars through three types of grants designed to address immediate needs while also driving long-term community change.
Funding recommendations were developed by a team of more than 60 trained grant reviewers working in collaboration with United Way’s Community Investment staff and its Community Investment Committee. These recommendations were presented to the board of directors, which approved the final grant allocations.
“This is what responsive, community-centered philanthropy looks like,” says Ben Staples, community investment committee co-chair and senior vice president of people and culture at CBL Properties. “We listened, evaluated and acted together.”
“It’s not just about a one-time grant,” adds Paulo Hutson, committee co-chair and United Way board member. “It’s about sustaining the relationships and services on which so many families depend, especially during moments of crisis.”
United Way’s recent survey of local nonprofits revealed widespread challenges, from staffing shortages to increased caseloads and rising operating costs. The Bridge Fund is designed to help organizations overcome these hurdles, with a focus on those serving families who live above the federal poverty line but struggle to meet basic needs. According to recent data, there were 41,566 such households in Hamilton County in 2023.
This initiative is a cornerstone of United Way’s 2030 Impact Agenda, which seeks to align regional resources, foster strong partnerships and drive measurable outcomes for families across the region.
To support local families in need