Kerry Hayes - Connect with Chattanooga

East Chattanooga Rising Even Higher

Our patience has paid off, and now it is time to act. I am grateful for the passion and energy behind this project. With your help and input, East Chattanooga will rise even higher. — Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke Two days after announcing the first major economic development investment that East Chattanooga had seen in 102 years, Mayor…

East Chattanooga Is Rising

“This is about more than just a big economic development deal — this opens a new chapter in the story of this historic neighborhood.” — Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke In 2013, the administration of newly-elected Mayor Andy Berke began working with the Chattanooga Housing Authority to buy the Harriet Tubman Housing site — a property which had suffered from years…

Investing In Our Most Important Assets: Chattanooga’s Families

“You support our most important assets — our families.” Early-childhood education is not only a priority of Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke it’s a passion. “I have two daughters and their worst days are my worst days,” Mayor Berke said. “Educators help give children a head start and parents a peace of mind.” Since his inauguration in 2013,…

Preserving & Promoting Affordable Housing in Chattanooga: New Fund Makes First Grants to Two Big Projects

We’ve worked hard to make Chattanooga one of the most desirable and dynamic cities in the south, and we see the results around us — unemployment is at an all-time low and new families are moving into our community all the time. Growth is good, but it does push the cost of living here higher and higher.…

Attracting, recruiting, and retaining black talent in Chattanooga.

Chattanoogans know the story of Ed Johnson. But in 1906, while on trial, Johnson’s father asked a young, black attorney to serve as his son’s lawyer. His name was Styles L. Hutchins. Hutchins relocated from Georgia to Chattanooga in 1881 and opened his own law practice at the age of 29. He also served in…

A Parkway For the People

Mayor Andy Berke often says, “I love our city and one of the things that makes it great is that there are places where we all come together and celebrate, or argue, or convene, or just to eat.” We are fortunate to have many great streets across Chattanooga that allow us to do all of…

Neighboroots: Growing Pride In Place

“Each neighborhood has a story to tell.” Last Tuesday, Mayor Andy Berke was joined by District 8 Councilman Anthony Byrd as they addressed neighborhood leaders and community members at Carver Youth and Family Development Center about the importance of neighborhoods. “There are good guys and heroes, but there are also villains. There are great stories of accomplishment. There are…

ChattaData: Real-Time Data, Real Life Results

Have you ever wanted to know how long it takes for the Fire Department to respond? Or how often City code violations are cited to court? What about how long it takes to get a permit issued with the Land Development Office? If so, you’re not alone. The City of Chattanooga wants those answers as…

A High Performing Government Invests In High Performing Employees

Over the last several months, Mayor Berke has spoken a lot about strengthening economic mobility for all Chattanoogans so that we can stabilize and grow our middle class. As we encourage employers throughout our community to invest more in their own employees, it is vital that city government lead in this way. One of the…

Council Against Hate Meets: “You Have the Power”

“Hate doesn’t just happen. It isn’t passive. And we don’t have to be passive toward it. We each have a responsibility to take action.” Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke knows what hate and extremism look like. On July 16, 2015, five service members were killed in a terror attack in Chattanooga, a day that shook the entire community.…