2018 - Connect with Chattanooga

Active voters make our democracy healthy. Healthy, supported children make our city strong.

I joined members of our Mayor’s Youth Council last week for a discussion about voting, sponsored by Let America Vote. The statistics about voting in Tennessee are grim: We ranked 40th in the nation for voter registration and 50th for turnout in the last midterm elections. During early voting in the recent August primaries, Hamilton…

Early Learning Matters

Over the last few years, we’ve made a lot of progress through early learning projects like Head Start and Baby University — but we need to do more. When we can give their kids affordable, safe, and healthy places to learn, we’re helping their entire family. At our State of the City address this year,…

Chattanooga dominates Execute Awards at this year’s 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival.

Chattanooga is a city of creators, and our spirit of entrepreneurship has created one of the most dynamic economies in the southeast. We’re proud to congratulate Bellhops Moving, Skuid, Branch Technology, and Ambition — all winners of the “Execute Award” at this year’s 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival! The Execute Award was to six of the fastest-growing companies in the southeast — four…

Miller Park opens on September 14!

The Power Players featuring Willie Kitchens (The Impressions), Amber Carrington (semi-finalist on The Voice) and Voices of THECREATIVEUNDERGROUND, Ogya World Music Band, and Hive Theory will headline Friday night festivities at the grand opening of the newly renovated Miller Park. “The city and partners have created an incredible space for our community,” says Chattanooga Mayor…

Jason Kander and “Cap, Gown, Vote!” comes to Chattanooga next week

During early voting period in the recent Hamilton County general election, we were last among all of Tennessee’s 95 counties. This statistic is particularly distressing when you consider that in 2014, our state ranked 50th — out of 50 — in voter turnout. Getting young voters engaged is an especially big problem. A recent poll…

EPB’s Internet Has the Best Value In the Country

We all know what a huge asset our “Gig” internet is — and once again, it’s drawing attention as the best service in the country. In fact, a recent survey by Consumer Reports discovered that Chattanooga’s EPB is the only internet service provider in the country with positive ratings for value. Motherboard recently wrote about…

National Day of Civic Hacking 2018

Policy Design Camp For this National Day of Civic Hacking (NDoCH) we decided to try something a bit different. Instead of focusing on data and coding we instead focused on developing policy recommendations for dockless shared mobility devices. This unique design camp engaged members of our community in a discussion about how Chattanooga can benefit…

Mayor Berke and Chattanooga City Council Appoint Phil Noblett City Attorney

Next Tuesday, August 21, the Chattanooga City Council and will introduce a joint resolution confirming Phil Noblett as City Attorney and Chief Legal Officer for the City of Chattanooga. Phil is an ideal fit for this role and he is a skilled litigator and legal strategist with an exceptional understanding of municipal law that goes back nearly…

WUTC explores our West M L King Boulevard extension

Last week, construction commenced on our long-awaited extension of West M L King Boulevard, which will connect downtown’s central business district to the Tennessee Riverpark at Blue Goose Hollow. WUTC’s Mike Miller was there to hear about our plans. You can listen to his story and see photos of how the area will look by…

Don’t Wait to Create

Don’t wait to create, Steal Like An Artist By Mary Stargel, Director of Innovation District Programs at The Enterprise Center Kicking off our summer with Mayor Berke’s challenge to become a city of creators may have you wondering who exactly is a “creative”? I’ve got great news, it’s YOU! You are a creator and you…