The Chattanooga City Council has approved Mayor Tim Kelly’s compromise budget, finalizing a property tax rate of 1.93 and unlocking $44.8 million in additional revenue. The lower rate – the lowest ever under the city’s current government structure – still results in higher tax bills for most residents due to a significant rise in assessed property values.
For the median household, the increase amounts to about $1.10 per day. Officials say the added revenue helps the city keep pace with 22.5% inflation since 2021 and protects critical services and staffing.
Key elements of the supplemental budget include:
• Pay raises for police officers and firefighters
• $7.5 million for road paving projects
• $5 million toward affordable housing and eviction prevention
• A new fire truck and 15 new firefighter positions at Station 21 in East Brainerd
• Public Works staffing increases to accelerate signal retiming and street work
“This was a difficult but necessary process,” Mayor Kelly says. “We are now in position to catch up to the inflation that has hollowed out the buying power of our city budget since 2021.”
Despite the rate hike, Chattanooga’s property tax remains below those in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis. The city’s per-resident tax burden will also stay lower than both Nashville’s and Knoxville’s.
Disaster loans available for August flood victims
Hamilton County residents and business owners affected by the Aug. 12 flash flooding are encouraged to apply for federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The low-interest loans are available to homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses to help recover losses not fully covered by insurance. Eligible expenses include damage to homes, vehicles, personal property and nonprofit facilities.
Interest rates are capped at 3% for individuals, 3.625% for nonprofits and 4% for small businesses. Loan terms can extend up to 30 years, and no payments are due and no interest accrues until one year after the first loan disbursement. Loan terms and amounts are determined by the SBA based on each applicant’s financial situation.
In-person help is available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center located at East Ridge City Library, 1517 Tombras Avenue, through Friday, Sept. 19. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
After that date, applicants can apply online at sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955 for assistance.
Officials encourage residents to apply even if they are still working with insurance providers. There is no obligation to accept a loan if approved, but applying keeps the option open.
The application deadline for physical damage is Nov. 3. The deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is June 2, 2026.
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Chattanooga Connect workshop lineup unveiled
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Research Institute has released the full schedule of interactive workshops and tech demonstrations for the second annual Chattanooga Connect conference, set for Oct. 6-8.
The event will highlight UTCRI’s latest research into smart city technologies, with a focus on connected infrastructure, autonomous systems and real-world urban mobility solutions.
Workshops and demos will be held throughout downtown Chattanooga at sites such as the Edney Innovation Center and the MLK Boulevard “Smart Corridor.” Participants will experience hands-on sessions led by UTCRI staff and partners, exploring innovations designed to enhance safety, efficiency and connectivity in city environments.
Topics range from 5G vehicle-to-everything communication to AI-based traffic forecasting. Featured sessions include:
• Connected Roads in Action: Smart traffic signals and vehicle priority systems
• Smart Streets in Action: A walking tour of active infrastructure projects
• CDA-X10: Demonstrations of scaled-down autonomous vehicles working in sync
• Multi-Agent Trajectory Forecasting: Predictive AI tools for safer traffic flow
• Transportation for Industrial Hubs: Improving access to job centers via transit
“We are focused on creating the future urban mobility, which means that all of our most exciting research takes place outside of classrooms and labs,” says Dr. Mina Sartipi, UTCRI director. “These workshops and demo sessions are another way that Chattanooga Connect invites researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to see for themselves what kind of technology we are building.” Information
Health Department offering flu vaccines
The Hamilton County Health Department began offering flu vaccinations at all department locations Sept. 10, with no appointment needed. The vaccine is recommended for anyone 6 months and older and is also widely available through primary care providers and pharmacies.
Flu can lead to serious complications, especially for adults 65 and older, children under 2, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems. The Health Department urges residents to take preventive steps including regular handwashing, staying home when sick and getting vaccinated.
Flu shots are available in standard form, a high-dose version for adults 65 and older and an egg-free formulation for those with allergies. Individuals with egg allergies are encouraged to call ahead to confirm availability of the appropriate vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are also available and may be administered at the same time, per CDC guidance.
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with valid photo ID. Guardians should also bring proof of guardianship if applicable.
Information: Health.HamiltonTN.org or 423-209-8000.
BionIT Labs opens HQ in Chattanooga
BionIT Labs, the Italian company behind the fully adaptive bionic device known as Adam’s Hand, has officially opened its U.S. headquarters in Chattanooga. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce was held Sept. 10 to mark the launch, positioning the city as a growing hub for health tech innovation.
The Scenic City was selected for its strong health care and manufacturing base, as well as its collaborative business environment. The new office will coordinate product distribution, clinician training, and technical support across the U.S. and Canada.
BionIT entered the U.S. market in mid-2024 with Adam’s Hand, which features a unique “Fully-Adaptive Grip” allowing the fingers to automatically conform to the shape and size of objects. A smaller version of the hand, designed for users with smaller anatomies, was recently added to the product line.
Dr. Gerald Stark, director of clinical operations for North America, says the move enables more direct support for clinicians and patients alike. “Our role is to empower prosthetists with the tools, training and technical support they need,” he says.
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tnAchieves expands mentorship program
Student support nonprofit tnAchieves is expanding its long-standing statewide mentor program with a new Workforce Mentorship option aimed at preparing college students for career success.
Beginning in 2026, volunteers can choose to serve either as Access Mentors, supporting high school seniors through their first year of college, or as Workforce Mentors, working with college sophomores as they navigate career planning and workplace readiness. Workforce Mentors will be matched with students based on shared industry interests and offer guidance in career exploration and professional development.
The expansion reflects tnAchieves’ broader goal to “Build Tennessee’s Future Workforce.” The organization reports 84.7% of its graduates stay and work in Tennessee after finishing their education, contributing to industries such as health care, education and business.
Each mentorship role requires just one hour a month and is conducted virtually. tnAchieves supports volunteers with training, a mentor handbook and regular updates throughout the year.
The mentor application is open through Nov. 14. More than 60,000 high school and 30,000 college students are served annually through tnAchieves’ programs.
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New report urges policy shifts to aid households
Despite Tennessee’s booming economy, a new policy brief from nonpartisan think tank ThinkTennessee finds that many families are not sharing in the state’s prosperity.
“Thriving State, Strained Households” outlines economic trends and recommendations drawn from the broader “State of Working Tennessee” report. The analysis notes that Tennessee now ranks 17th in U.S. GDP and 15th in population and employment.
Yet nearly half of working Tennesseans are employed in just four sectors – manufacturing, health care, retail and government – that often offer lower wages and slower growth.
“Tennessee’s economic ascent is undeniable, but that success should be lifting more Tennessee families,” says ThinkTennessee president Erin Hafkenschiel.
The report highlights that essential workers in sectors such as retail, agriculture, and early childhood education earn $9 to $20 per hour less than the state’s estimated living wage of $36.31. And while job growth has occurred in many counties, 18 – mostly rural or in West Tennessee – have seen declines in employment, population or GDP.
Tennessee’s low labor force participation rate – 59.5% compared to the national average – contributes to an estimated shortage of 59,000 workers, with women, older adults and those with less education underrepresented.
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