Preserve Chattanooga has completed a feasibility study for establishing a historic preservation revolving fund in Chattanooga. The study, completed by Hanbury Preservation Consulting of Raleigh, North Carolina, was made possible with the support of the 1772 Foundation.
The Providence, Rhode Island-based foundation has granted more than $50 million for historic preservation work throughout the U.S. during its 20-year history.
A revolving fund – aka a historic property redevelopment program – is an active real estate-based program for protecting endangered properties using options, purchase and resale, easements and tax credits.
These historic structures ultimately are returned to the private sector with deed restrictions in place. Any proceeds realized from transactions are recycled to sustain the proactive preservation efforts of the revolving fund program.
According to Hanbury Consulting, the study demonstrates that a revolving fund for Preserve Chattanooga meets the four-part test (mission, need, goals and cost awareness).
In addition, Mary Ruffin Hanbury, founding principal, noted that Preserve Chattanooga’s board and staff combined have the experience and skill sets for leading a successful revolving fund.
Hanbury has more than 20 years of experience in a broad range of historic preservation and nonprofit organizations. She has worked for the Virginia and North Carolina State Historic Preservation Offices and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
While Chattanooga has revitalized its downtown, urban neighborhoods and historic residential districts, an influx of new residents and investment from outside the city is placing more demands on the city’s historic infrastructure. While there are many preservation success stories, the community is aware of the need to expand the parameters of preservation programming within the city.
Completion of a feasibility study was an important first step in doing so. River City Company, Chattanooga Design Studio, Lyndhurst Foundation and private developers participated in the study.
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Girls Inc. awarded Community Grant
Girls Inc. of Chattanooga is one of 40 Tennessee Department of Human Services grant recipients for the Families First Community Grant Program, an initiative that will award more than $95 million in funding to organizations providing innovative direct services to support Tennessee families in need.
The grant program was created through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Opportunity Act, bipartisan legislation which was passed and signed by Gov. Bill Lee in 2021 in an effort to spend a surplus of federal TANF funds.
The TDHS selected Girls Inc. of Chattanooga through a competitive application process. This funding will allow Girls Inc. to expand the scope of its services, as well as hire a family resource coordinator who will connect families with the resources and services they need and conduct community workshops, says Girls Inc. of Chattanooga CEO Toccora Petersen.
“Investing in solutions aimed toward making parental engagement, mental health and personal development an integral part of everyday life will help increase the well-being of our 750 girls and their families,” adds Petersen. “This comprehensive approach to yearlong family engagement will provide strength and help children and families cope and adapt to major change in the post pandemic world.”
Volkswagen Academy recruits largest cohort
The 19th cohort of Volkswagen Academy apprentices will be its largest cohort to date. The company aims to recruit 48 new apprentices to begin this August, up 200% from its typical 16-person cohort. The application period is open.
The Volkswagen Academy is recruiting 36 apprentices for its Robotronics program as well as 12 apprentices for a new program focused on electric vehicles. Graduates of both programs receive a Volkswagen Academy Certificate, an Associate of Applied Science degree from Chattanooga State Community College and a conditional job offer to work for Volkswagen Chattanooga.
The high school program at the Volkswagen Academy will also increase its number of available seats for juniors and seniors this fall, from 24 to 50. Four Hamilton County high schools currently have a direct bus route to the Volkswagen Academy: Central High School, East Hamilton High School, Ooltewah High School and Tyner High School.
Two additional schools will add a direct bus route in the fall – East Ridge High School and Howard High School.
More than 200 Volkswagen apprentices have graduated from the Volkswagen Academy since 2013. Approximately 75% of those graduates continue to work at Volkswagen Chattanooga today.
Volkswagen Academy apprenticeships are full-time dual-education programs which combine vocational classroom education with paid on-the-job training. The program length is two years. After a two-semester probationary period, apprentices earn up to $19 per hour.
The Robotronics Technology Expert program was implemented in 2018 in response to the continuous increase in automation in manufacturing. The program curriculum is based on Industry 4.0 advanced manufacturing principles including robotic technologies, engineering design processes, manufacturing technologies, IT network programming, cyber physical systems, troubleshooting and maintenance.
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Chattanooga greenlights Kordsa expansion
The Chattanooga City Council has approved a 10-year payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program for Kordsa’s $50 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Hixson, a project the company expects will create 200 jobs and provide new riverfront greenway access for residents. Hamilton County had already approved the agreement.
The total investment in the old DuPont property now exceeds $150 million.
As part of the agreement, Kordsa will partner with the BuildWithin Apprenticeship Initiative and Chattanooga 2.0 to publicize the new job opportunities to attract local workers and to make the construction opportunities available for local contractors.
Kordsa will also partner with the city through this project to provide greenway access to the riverfront, which will add to Chattanooga’s 35 miles of trails and greenway and provide residents with another avenue to connect with and to enjoy the beauty of the city.
Under the PILOT, Kordsa will receive a 100% tax property reduction the first year, 75% the second year, 60% the third year and then 50% per year for the remainder of 10 years. The company will continue to pay property taxes on all existing operations as well as continue to pay 100% of school taxes throughout the term of the PILOT and beyond.
Korda’s expansion – in conjunction with another nearby project – is expected to bring the total number of workers around North Access Road to more than 1,000.
City to award $3M in affordable housing funds
The City of Chattanooga is allocating nearly $3 million in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the creation and preservation of hundreds of affordable homes across Chattanooga as a part of ongoing efforts to increase housing affordability citywide.
Approved by City Council, the funding plan provides grants and forgivable loans to developers, landlords and community organizations for the development of new affordable units, the rapid repair and renovation of vacant units and services to support residents in need of housing.
The city is administering a portion of the funds through the Community Development Block Grant program. Officials issued a notice for funding applications in January and selected projects based on eligibility criteria, impact potential and alignment with Mayor Tim Kelly’s housing and community development goals under the One Chattanooga plan.
Projects selected for funding include:
• $700,000 to assist 40 low-income families with critical home improvement and repair needs through Chattanooga Community Housing Development Organization and Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise programs
• $150,000 for critically needed renovations to maintain quality affordable units at Whiteside’s Faith Manor
• $84,800 to provide counseling, educational services and other solutions through the Consumer Credit Counseling Service
• $1.4 million for distribution through the HOME Investment Partnership program, which provides funding for up to 50% of the construction costs for an affordable housing unit at a maximum of $40,000 per unit
City officials will submit the funding plan to HUD for final sign off before executing agreements with awardees. The city anticipates funds will become available for awardees to draw down beginning in July.
Last year, Kelly launched a $100 million affordable housing initiative, with $33 million in seed funding to help create and preserve hundreds of affordable homes.
Since taking office, his administration has supported the development of more than 600 new affordable units with federal funds from HUD and the American Rescue Plan Act.
Kelly’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2024 anticipates another $3 million allocation in federal funds to assist in creating 400 additional affordable rental units.
United Way announces 2023 nonprofit winners
United Way of Greater Chattanooga presented awards in five categories during its annual nonprofit Celebrate Awards last week. A community volunteer review panel selected the recipients based on impact, uniqueness and other criteria.
The winners were:
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award, The Bethlehem Center
• Nonprofit of the Year Award, Metropolitan Ministries
• Innovation in Action Award, A Step Ahead Chattanooga
• Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award, Kristen Pavlik McCallie
• Volunteer of the Year Award, Lamar Selcer
Open-air markets return to Rossville Boulevard
The BLVD Project and Rossville Downtown Development Authority are teaming up to host a summer market series on the first Fridays of June, July and August, 5-9 p.m.
The BLVD is a grassroots organization that seeks to improve food access, safety, transportation, aesthetics and business along the Rossville Boulevard corridor.
The markets will be located at 207 Chickamauga Avenue in Rossville and will feature vendors selling locally grown produce, flowers original artwork and consumable goods.
The festival in June will have live music and local artisans plus barbecue and hot dogs.