From the Desk of Mayor Tim Kelly

View in browser

Friend,

Last night, we hosted a great crowd for the 2023 State of the City event at the Walker Theatre where I provided an update about the progress we're making together with the community toward building the Chattanooga we all deserve. It was a great conversation about the accomplishments we have made so far and the challenges we still face.

For those of you who were able to attend: Thank you. In case you couldn't make it, here's a sample of some of the wins we talked about:

$440 million of economic investment in Chattanooga and more than 2,000 jobs created.
Housed nearly 800 Chattanoogans through direct city support or investment in 2023; nearly 3,000 since taking office.
40% reduction in homelessness in 2022.
Prevented evictions for 279 households through the Eviction Prevention Initiative (EPI) - more than 800 people.
600+ more affordable housing units in development or planned.
Estimated $2 billion in investment through South Broad and Westside Plans.
More than 160 lane miles paved and more than 40,000 potholes paved.
Developing the first comprehensive Parks and Outdoors Plan in 25 years.
Improved 311 request completion times and reduced 311 wait times.

My team also put together a great video spotlighting the work happening across the city, and I hope you take a moment to watch it below.

You can also watch the 2023 State of the City event in its entirety here.

Thanks for being a part of this great community. I'm looking forward to celebrating even more wins with you next year.

Sincerely,

Tim Kelly

Mayor, City of Chattanooga

What's New in Chattanooga

Great Parks 🤝 Great Cities

Take our Riverfront Parks Survey and give your ideas on how we can reimagine our riverfront park. Hurry - survey closes August 6!

We're celebrated the newest graduates of Tech Goes Home – including the 10,000th graduate of the statewide program. Each participant gains the tools and education needed to engage digitally in the 21st century. Thanks to The Enterprise Center and congrats to the grads!

We are aggressively pursuing an opportunity to bring Amtrak back to Chattanooga. It's an initiative that could connect our city to some of our country's biggest hubs. I spoke about it on WUTC's Scenic Roots.

We celebrated Bike Chattanooga's 11th Birthday with an exciting announcement! Our friends at Bike Chattanooga are providing 50 new e-bikes, a new e-station, and a new manual docking station. We're excited for you to give them a ride.

In the Community

Thanks to the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga for helping kids get ready for back-to-school Wednesday! It's so important that our young people start off school on the right foot. The Urban League's Shoes for School is a great event that ensures all of our kids have shoes that fir and backpacks for school - leveling the playing field at a critical age. Thanks to the volunteers who helped to make it happen and to TVA, EPB, Food City, and BlueCross BlueShield for sponsoring.

I was honored to speak to our newest graduates of our city's Fire Academy. These 26 brave individuals provide an essential service to our community - and we are forever grateful.

Want me to attend an event? Request an appearance here.

Our Community Centers are vitally important to achieving the goals in the One Chattanooga Plan. Thanks to the folks who are running the Tyner Community Center for inviting me to tour the facility.

Upcoming Opportunities

Pickleball, anyone? 😎 Our Parks and Outdoors Department opened five regulation pickleball courts at Batter's Place Park! They're open from 8 am to 11 pm.
Help us plan the next phase for our great city. Take our Plan Chattanooga Survey and tell us what you want to see in your neighborhood. You better hurry - the survey closes September 15!

Follow us on social media!

Spot a pothole, litter, or something else that needs attention?

Submit a request to 311

Was this email forwarded to you? Click here to subscribe