Chattanooga Chatter

According to Chattanooga TV stations, as well as several radio reports, Chattanooga and Cleveland, Tennessee are now out of the recession. In other words, we hit rock bottom and are starting to go back up - but the progression rate is slow.

The 'Times Free Press' said that Chattanooga hit the bottom three years ago and headed toward recovery in 2009. We moved to Cleveland in 2009 so I am going to take partial credit for the change of direction! I don't think the big wigs that do the studies would give me credit...they think it has something to do with Volkswagen moving in and dumping big bucks into the community besides building their auto plant. They are using local contractors and supplies so they are getting big brownie points around here.

Chattanooga and Cleveland are only about 20 miles apart, so economic recovery in the big city spreads our direction. Cleveland is not as small town as I sometimes make it out to be. We live far out in the country so we don't have to deal with the town and traffic unless we want to. Although we do have the Barber shop From Hell (click here if you missed that story) we also have a real, honest to goodness mall with Penny's, Sears, Belk's and a few smaller named stores.

We have a fairly good sized hospital, nice restaurants, the usual fast food and some of the other casual style restaurants. We even have two high schools and two community colleges. Throw in Home Depot and Lowe's and we're set!

Temporary employment agencies are reporting that more jobs are available in the light industrial and clerical areas. That fits in with statements made that the first sign of recovery is hiring temporary workers. Businesses that are still on the mend will hire temps because they don't have to pay benefits.

Memphis and Johnson City, Tennessee are also showing signs of improvement, while Nashville and Knoxville have not improved. North Georgia is also not improving on their jobless rate.

Why is Chattanooga's economy improving? Volkswagen - Their new plant is a one billion dollar investment and it is energy efficient, top of the line. Their paint shop will produce zero waste. They will hire thousands of local workers for their offices, assembly line and paint shop. There will also be 16 suppliers based in an adjacent area which will add even more jobs and more money to this area.

The run-off of that growth is in the housing market and retail sales in the surrounding areas, and that includes Cleveland as we are only a hop, skip and a jump from the action. Property values should increase which will be a nice change!

Cleveland is a town on the rise and on the move. Our current Sheriff, Tim Gobble, is running for Congress so he's trying to move on up to Washington. I had a conversation or two with him. He is a very nice guy and he has done good things for Bradley County, Tennessee.

So, maybe they are right, maybe this is a good place to live, work and play. The Chattanooga - Cleveland, Tennessee area - its home for me!

Sources:

Timesfreepress.com
Thecalhountimes.com