The first development to apply under Chattanooga’s updated affordable housing Payment in Lieu of Taxes program proposed 42 dedicated affordable units within a 278-unit project on Manufacturers Road. The application came from Atlantic Companies, an Atlanta-based firm, and is subject to approval by Chattanooga City Council.
The city modernized the PILOT program in 2023 to directly link tax abatements to the cost of providing affordable units. Under the proposal, the property would receive a 69% tax abatement on the improved value but still generate $341,931 annually in local taxes, including $142,161 for schools – up from $9,055 when the site was vacant.
The program requires participating developments to maintain affordable rents for at least 15 years, with units priced for households earning 60% to 80% of area median income.
Nonprofits merge to boost creativity
Songbirds Foundation and Dynamo Studios completed a merger that created one of the Southeast’s largest nonprofit collaborations in creative education. The unified organization will expand career pathways in music, media and the arts for students and young professionals.
The new structure preserves programs such as Guitars for Kids and Write to Rock while adding Dynamo’s expertise in production, engineering, photography and videography. The Songbirds venue will continue to host live music while broadening its role to include film screenings and production education.
The partnership serves students from fourth grade through young adulthood, as well as educators and creative professionals. Leaders said the merger positioned Chattanooga to meet rising demand for creative economy jobs and expand opportunities across the region.
United Way awards $686K to 21 nonprofits
United Way of Greater Chattanooga has committed $686,000 to 21 local nonprofits through its Catalyst Fund. The initiative supports organizations testing new models to aid families and ALICE households – defined as asset limited, income constrained and employed.
Five groups are receiving United Way support for the first time, selected through a competitive review involving more than 60 volunteers and the board of directors. Recipients are Bethel Bible Village, BetterFi, Chattanooga Autism Center, Chattanooga Room at the Inn, Children’s Advocacy Center, Communities in Schools of Catoosa County, Dynamo Studios, East Lake Expression Engine, Friends of the Zoo, Hope for the Inner City, KELCURT Foundation, LIFT Youth Center, Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit, Purpose Point Learning Academy, Rabbit Valley Farmers Market, RISE Chattanooga, SPLASH Youth Arts Workshop, Tennessee Nonprofit Network, The AIM Center, The Pop-Up Project and Two Bikes Chattanooga.
The Catalyst Fund is part of United Way’s strategy to address immediate needs while fostering long-term solutions across the region.
BrightBridge expands through mergers
BrightBridge Capital has merged with Area Wide Development Corporation in Alcoa and Tennessee Business Development Corporation in Paris to strengthen its role as a statewide provider of SBA 504 financing.
The mergers expand BrightBridge’s operational capacity and add local expertise while maintaining staff in their home markets.
As a Certified Development Company, BrightBridge partners with lenders to deliver long-term, fixed-rate SBA loans supporting commercial real estate, equipment purchases and business growth. The integration of new team members enhances service for bankers and their small business clients across Tennessee.
Allegiant adds new flight to Fort Lauderdale
Allegiant Travel Company will launch a nonstop routes in February 2026 between Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Tickets are now available at Allegiant.com.
New clinic brings personalized care
Chattanooga residents have a new primary care option with the launch of Ridge & River Medicine. The practice, founded by Dr. Joe Furr and his wife, Alex Furr, follows a direct primary care model. Patients pay a flat monthly fee with no copays or surprise bills. Membership includes phone or video access to the physician and same- or next-day appointments. Services cover annual exams, chronic disease management and discounted rates on labs, imaging and medications. The clinic serves adults 18 and older and offers virtual visits and home visits. Dr. Furr has experience in both hospital and outpatient settings. Alex Furr manages the practice’s operations.
Katie Lamb Library reopens in Collegedale
The Katie Lamb Public Library in Collegedale marked its grand reopening on Sept. 18 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments and activities for all ages. The celebration followed a remodeling project that began in May to address increased community use of the library’s programs and services.
During the closure, the library operated temporarily out of Collegedale City Hall. The renovated facility now features a larger meeting room, three private study rooms and an expanded children’s book area. Guests at the reopening took part in a scavenger hunt, a silent auction fundraiser and children’s crafts in the new space.
City warns of false flyers about codes violations
The City of Chattanooga Public Works Department issued a warning after residents reported receiving flyers from a private company claiming to identify code violations.
Officials said the flyers, which encouraged homeowners to sell property or hire repair services, were not affiliated with the city.
The notices did not come from the Land Development Office or any other municipal department, and the company has no access to official code compliance data.
City leaders emphasized that legitimate code violation notices are delivered on official letterhead or by inspectors whose identity can be verified.
Residents with concerns were directed to contact the Land Development Office at 423 643-5800 or report suspicious flyers to 423 643-7307.
Thrive wins national Civic Hub grant
Thrive Regional Partnership was awarded a 2025 Civic Hub grant from the Trust for Civic Life, a national funder that supports rural communities. The three-year program will provide funding for Thrive to strengthen connections across northeast Alabama, northwest Georgia and southeast Tennessee while participating in a national learning cohort with other civic organizations.
The Civic Hub program distributes $8 million annually to local groups that serve as regional connectors and capacity builders. Thrive said the grant will help expand opportunities for residents and leaders to collaborate on community issues across the tri-state region.
Also, Thrive Regional Partnership, working with the Open Space Institute, has begun accepting applications for the 2026 Resilient Communities program, which helps local governments and organizations prepare for extreme weather events.
The program provides professional guidance, facilitation and technical support to assess risks, set priorities and design nature-based strategies tailored to local conditions.
Funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the program is free to participants in the 16-county Chattanooga region.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, faith-based groups, libraries, neighborhood associations, and other organizations that bring people together. Joint applications from multiple organizations will also be considered.
More information, including application details, is available at www.thriveregionalpartnership.org/initiatives/resilient-communities-program.
HoneyBaked Ham expands into Hixson
The Honey Baked Ham Company announced a new location in Hixson, scheduled to open ahead of the holiday season at 5450 TN-153. The store is being developed by Glazed Animals III, a group of multi-unit operators that previously opened locations in Cleveland and Clarksville.
Led by Ken Taylor and partners John Cameron Day, Patrick Green, Montanna Arterson and Shaneatha Gates, the team brings backgrounds in aerospace and defense operations to the venture. The Hixson store is part of HoneyBaked’s broader growth strategy, which includes recent multi-unit agreements in Tennessee and other states.
The Glazed Animals III group plans to expand further into Nashville and Central Florida after completing its three-unit agreement.
Red Bank adds parental leave for employees
The city of Red Bank began offering paid parental leave to eligible employees July 1. The policy provides up to two weeks or 80 hours of paid leave following the birth, adoption or placement of a child.
City officials said the benefit was designed to support employees while keeping Red Bank competitive with other local governments and employers in the region. The move followed similar parental leave policies adopted by Hamilton County and other nearby jurisdictions.
Roofing firm offering free roof repair program
JDB Construction and Roofing has announced a community initiative to provide a free roof repair to a family in need within the greater Chattanooga area.
The contractor, known for roof replacements, repairs, gutters, siding and decks across Tennessee and North Georgia, is inviting community members to submit nominations. Each nomination should include the name and contact information of the individual or family, along with a description of their circumstances.
Eligible recipients must live within a 90-mile radius of Chattanooga. The company will select one household to receive a professional roof repair using quality materials at no cost.
Nominations may be submitted by email to info@jdbconstructionllc.com or by call or text to 423 394-8486. Additional information is available at jdbconstructionllc.com.
Angel Tree registration set for Sept. 29-Oct. 10
The Salvation Army of Chattanooga has scheduled in-person registration for its annual Angel Tree program.
Family applications will take place Sept. 29-Oct. 3 at the East Lake location (2140 E. 28th Street) and Oct. 6-10 at the Citadel (1019 N. Moore Road). Registration runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays.
Angel Tree is open to families with children newborn to age 12 and to seniors age 60 and older.
Required documents include a valid ID, proof of income and address and clothing sizes and gift wishes. Parents also must bring birth certificates for children and proof of guardianship.