Dear Members and Partners,
As we reflect on the past year, we are proud to share the remarkable progress we’ve made together in building a thriving Chattanooga. Our region continues to attract transformative investments and forge meaningful partnerships that create opportunities for Chattanoogans and our member businesses.
We welcomed over $1 billion in capital investment, a milestone that puts us more than halfway toward our five-year goal—in just one year. This momentum is a testament to the strength of our business climate and the spirit of collaborative leadership that defines our community.
Chattanooga’s air service connectivity continues to expand with the addition of three new direct flights, enhancing access and opportunity for residents, visitors, and businesses alike. Our workforce development efforts also reached new heights, with nearly 800 new jobs announced and 50 new registered apprenticeship programs launched to prepare our talent pipeline for the future.
We are especially proud of the strides made in supporting minority and women-owned businesses, which generated nearly $1 million in new revenue—a reflection of our commitment to building an inclusive economy.
These achievements are not just numbers—they represent new careers, lives changed, businesses strengthened, and a community moving forward together. Every job announced is an economic opportunity for a family and new dollars invested or paid in wages are spent at area businesses, driving our local economy.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we build a thriving Chattanooga.
Promoting regional economic growth remains a core part of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s mission. Over the past year, the chamber recruited over a billion dollars in capital investment and over 700 new jobs. Attracting companies like NOVONIX, whose new facility will expand their capacity and elevate Chattanooga as a hub for advanced manufacturing.
Staying focused on the future, the chamber worked in collaboration with TVA to identify strategic sites that could support future product development efforts.
Regional connectivity was enhanced with the addition of five new direct flights, improving access for both business and leisure travelers.
Finally, the Chamber conducted 144 Business Retention meetings, reinforcing its commitment to long-term growth and stability.
Chattanooga is always re-inventing itself. Is it any wonder that innovation and entrepreneurship remain a pillar of the chamber’s economic development efforts?
This year, The INCubator partnered with Co.Lab to launch a business resiliency program designed to help local businesses prepare for economic uncertainties. Participation has been robust. With dozens of small businesses learning how to weather unpredictable economic conditions.
INCubator clients continue to garner national attention. With Tidal Wave, a graduate from the INCubator program, recently being listed in the INC 5,000 as the 37th fastest-growing private company in America.
Through a partnership with Co.Lab and EPB the chamber also hosted a Chattanooga activation at the Tennessee House during SXSW, which welcomed over 4,000 visitors and showcased the city’s entrepreneurial energy.
The Chamber works closely with key partners like the Hamilton County Department of Education and Chattanooga 2.0 to ensure the region has access to a robust talent pipeline.
This year, Chattanooga 2.0 Launched the Chattanooga Future Fund, ensuring every kindergarten and middle school student in Hamilton County public schools is eligible to receive $150 in a career and college savings account.
The organization also launched the Hamilton County Out-of-School Time Program Locator, a free online tool designed to help educators and families connect students with local afterschool programs.
The Apprenticeship Works program, a partnership between Chattanooga 2.0 and the Chamber, created 43 new registered apprenticeship programs for local employers.
The Young Professionals of Chattanooga built partnerships with other young professional groups to accomplish broader outcomes on such initiatives as Local Government and Voter Education.
Leadership and Protege Chattanooga graduated two new classes.
Finally, the Chamber hosted two hiring fairs to help displaced manufacturing workers find new employment in the wake of recent layoffs.
Your Chattanooga Chamber believes that a community grows economically when everyone has a seat at the table.
In October, the Chamber hosted an informational session called Doing Business With EPB to introduce local business owners to the process of becoming a supplier for a large organization.
The Chamber’s Business Literacy Series continued to prepare small, diverse business owners for success with a record number of applicants. Through education and connection to resources, the BLS program has helped minority and women owned businesses achieve nearly one million in new revenue.
We also worked with Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union to help small businesses apply for the Idea Leap grant. In fact, two graduates from the Chamber’s BLS program took home the top two prizes in the Idea Leap competition. Securing a combined $45,000.00 in funding.
During FY 2023-24, our members gained access to valuable resources and opportunities, contributing significantly to the overall prosperity and sustainability of the Chattanooga community. This success was achieved through enhanced business participation, establishing new relationships, attending events, leadership opportunities, sponsorships, member discounts, and visibility in the Chamber’s business directory. Additionally, members posted news items and benefited from savings through member discounts and Chamber programs.
With over 200 events each year, including councils, networking opportunities, and signature events, our members connected with fellow members, potential customers, city and county officials, and the broader community. Many members developed their professional skills and gave back to the community by volunteering as council board members or Chamber Ambassadors.
The Chamber’s mission of championing our members is as important now as it was when we were founded in 1887.
The Chattanooga Chamber serves as the voice of business and plays a particularly vital role in the policy arena, seeking to be a dynamic, constructive partner in the policy-making process.
In the past year, the chamber brought 38 business and industry leaders from Chattanooga to the state capital as part of our Day on the Hill advocacy trip and hosted legislative kickoff and wrap-up sessions where legislators got to communicate face-to-face with their constituents.
We provided educational resources by hosting a joint City Council / County Commission meeting to help elected officials better understand the business recruitment process and a seminar to inform members about the legislation eliminating the property measure from the franchise tax calculation.
The Chamber also hosted a roundtable with Senator Blackburn and coordinated a tour of Oak Ridge National Laboratory with Congressman Fleischmann.
Constance Coffman is an example in dedication and commitment. Having served as a chamber volunteer since 1989.
A dedicated hospitality sales director, Constance has made significant contributions to both her professional field and the Chattanooga community, where she has lived most of her life.
Born in California to a southern military family, she considers Chattanooga her true home, having graduated from Chattanooga State Technical College with studies in computer science and business management.
After a five-year career in insurance, Constance transitioned to a decade-long role as an IT consultant before finding her calling in hospitality with Marriott International and now Gibson Hotel Ventures.
A passionate volunteer, Constance has earned Diamond-level status as an ambassador three times, presided over the Southside Council and achieved Chamber Dignitary status in 2015, alongside three years with Tennessee Achieves.
In her free time, Constance cherishes family moments with her children, indulges in arts and crafts, attends concerts and enjoys golfing with her husband, Billy.
Serving the Chattanooga area community as a Chamber Ambassador has been a true privilege. Over the years, I have met so many incredible business leaders who started as connections and have now become great friends. I've always believed that giving back is more than a civic duty...it's part of who you are.
The Chattanooga Chamber’s Councils are the backbone of the Chamber’s volunteer presence. The Councils support businesses in specific geographic areas and business sectors within our community, providing opportunities for members to solve problems, discuss issues, and support events and civic projects that benefit businesses, schools, and more within the Council’s footprint. These councils are crucial to the Chamber’s work, and this year, one council was a standout with their tremendous strides to impact their community.
The East Ridge Council has been named Council of the Year, recognized by the judges for leading with heart and showing a deep commitment to their community. They work hard to connect local businesses to one another, to schools, and to elected officials—strengthening relationships and driving meaningful community impact. The East Ridge Council is not just networking; they are building community. This council is powered entirely by dedicated volunteers who either live, work, or do business within East Ridge. We want to congratulate the East Ridge Council for their hard work and dedication to the Chambers Mission.
