Despite challenging economic times, Chattanooga is reinventing itself and becoming a model city for our country and even the world at large. Among many initiatives, our city is at the forefront of a new and expanding manufacturing sector. Across public and private sectors, major initiatives are being led to develop alternative fuels and new energy sources. Throughout our communities, Chattanoogans are working to protect our environment and the beauty of this area, and there is a heightened awareness for sensible, healthy living. Is it possible that over the course of the next five years that Chattanooga will embody much of what is envisioned for our country’s future economy and way of life? For many, the answer is yes.
Manufacturing Expansion
When Volkswagen announced its decision to invest $1 billion at Enterprise South Industrial Park to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that would produce its new mid-size sedan - creating at least 2,000 new jobs - the response was energizing. The giant auto manufacturer’s commitment has not wavered, and the subsequent announcement by Gestamp Corporation, a tier-one supplier that will build a $90 million production facility and add 230 jobs at Enterprise South, is tangible evidence of growth and investment yet to come.
At a time when the unemployment rate in Hamilton County has reached a 25-year high, the resilience of the local economy is apparent in other major manufacturing announcements, as well. Alstom Power is moving forward with a $280 million expansion of its steam and gas turbine production facility here, which will create 350 jobs. Chattem, Inc. is expanding its plant with a $35.5 million investment and the creation of 70 new jobs. Westinghouse plans a $25.2 million expansion of its nuclear power division and is expected to add 52 new jobs. In nearby Bradley County, Wacker Chemie AG plans to construct a new hyperpure polycrystalline silicon facility involving a $1 billion investment and a 500-strong payroll.
“We’re investing right here in Chattanooga,” says David Breckinridge, general manager of Alstom. “Ours is a significant, long-term investment to the U.S. power generation market that positions Alstom to meet retrofit demand from the existing fleet and the next wave of power plant construction – whatever the fuel type and whenever that occurs.
“The diversity of new manufacturing industries in Chattanooga is impressive, and the level of technology each is bringing will only expand opportunities for business here,” Breckinridge says.
Higher Skilled
Work Force
A commitment at the local, state and national levels to efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing and advancing technology offers new opportunities for a well-trained and highly skilled workforce. Leaders from public and private sectors are working together to establish a workforce needed for an expanding industry sector and to continue to attract new companies to the area.
Chattanooga Manufacturers Association President and CEO Ray Childers calls a trainable and motivated work force a “critical asset” for the area’s job growth and sustainability.
“We are going to continue to prepare a work force that can be trained and can be built on,” says Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey. Ramsey says the key to creating a strong “human resource” remains the excellence of public and private initiatives through local educational institutions and economic development organizations, such as Chattanooga State Technical Community College, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
Environmental Awareness
Throughout the Chattanooga area, there is a heightened awareness for protecting the environment. Eco-friendly initiatives are evident in new and efficient manufacturing processes that minimize emissions and their impact on the planet. Private funding is now being dedicated to green practices and public initiatives are being implemented to protect our environment.
For example, Volkswagen will incorporate numerous green innovations at its new facility, including advanced ventilation systems that will take advantage of changes in external temperatures and provide heated or cooled air where needed; reduced nitrogen oxide burners to improve air quality and heat water; meandering creeks to collect, filter and recycle stormwater and save approximately 350,000 gallons per year; efficient indoor and outdoor lighting systems; recyclable insulation of six-inch mineral rock wool panel; and roofing of thermoplastic polyolefins, which contribute to weather resistance.
Resources are now available to help educate local business leaders about green business practices. Among other prominent environmentally conscious efforts, green|spaces was formed from grants provided through the Lyndhurst and Benwood foundations and the River
City Company. green|spaces provides assistance to contractors, companies and entrepreneurs in planning, developing and building environmentally friendly and efficient commercial buildings. green|spaces promotes and provides funding for the construction of LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) properties. Since the completion of the first LEED-certified project at 714 Cherry Street downtown, numerous other LEED projects have been undertaken.
Recycling efforts have received a boost with Mayor Littlefield’s June announcement of biweekly curbside collection, and businesses are steadily becoming more conscious of the long-term benefits of recycling programs. Such initiatives are becoming more cost effective and easily managed through internal programs such as Greener Planet, a subsidiary of TPC Printing and Packaging.
Originally, Greener Planet was intended to facilitate recycling efforts within TPC; however, practical experience has revealed an external market for the services it provides, and these are slated to be offered to other companies in the future.
“As a community, we have significantly improved our recycling habits and are working hard to do our part for the environment,” Mayor Littlefield told a gathering at the John F. Germ Recycling Center as he made the announcement about increased recycling service.
“Prior to 2007, half of the recyclables collected curbside had to be redirected to the landfill because those materials were either not recyclable or recycled incorrectly,” Littlefield said. “After implementing the education campaign in 2007, we saw that number drop to less than 13 percent. If the monthly tonnage history from the last two years is any indicator of what is to come, that number should continue to go down.”
New Fuel and
Energy Sources
Research and development into renewable and sustainable fuel sources has gained momentum in recent years, as well. General contractor EMJ Corporation launched a subsidiary, Signal Wind Energy, to provide design and construction support to that industry.
“From the Signal Wind side of our company, we are trying to take advantage of initiatives being offered with renewable energy and investment tax credits,” says EMJ Chief Executive Jim Sattler. “More developers are taking advantage of those situations. We are also exploring solar energy.”
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, long a leader in the deployment of fuel-efficient electric buses, recently announced the addition of two hybrid buses to its local fleet. At a cost of $500,000 each - compared to $300,000 for conventional diesel-powered buses - the two 35-foot vehicles will provide a more cost-effective and cleaner mode of public transportation. The two buses, which operate off clean diesel and electric motors, are also expected to be the forerunners of an entire fleet of 55 hybrid buses.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen continues to make its new TDI Clean Diesel engine a priority. Certified to meet rigorous government standards, the TDI Clean Diesel engine is available in three Volkswagen models: the Jetta Sedan, Touareg SUV, and Jetta SportWagen. VW, the world’s third-largest automaker, asserts that the durability of the diesel engine, in concert with enhanced fuel-efficiency, makes a winning combination. The Jetta is a shining example, with an estimated 41 miles per gallon on the highway and a range of 600 miles between fill-ups. The three VW models are also eligible for the government’s tax credit tied to the purchase of advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles.
As the founder and former co-chairman of the House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, Tennessee 3rd District Congressman Zach Wamp has been at the forefront of researching and developing renewable and alternative fuel sources.
“To achieve total energy independence, we must all do our part as individuals,” he says, “from purchasing energy-efficient products, such as special light bulbs, to conserving energy and water in our homes and using technologies that make more efficient use of our energy resources.
“The Energy Policy Act of 2005 encouraged the development of ethanol as an alternative energy source, and ethanol producing plants are rapidly being developed all over the U.S.,” says Wamp. “There are 80 new plants under construction right now, and within five years ethanol will be competitive with gasoline, and consumers will soon have a choice at the pump.”
Congressman Wamp has also worked to facilitate a partnership between the University of Tennesssee at Chattanooga and private firms in California to develop the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), which may prove to be yet another inexpensive alternative energy source. Theoretically, the cell can generate enough electricity to power an average family home and runs on ethanol or other fuel sources. Its clean hydrogen byproduct could eventually be stored to power a hydrogen fuel cell for use in motor vehicles.
Senator Bob Corker is also committed to the research and development of new sources of energy. “As a United States senator, I believe that the availability of reliable, clean energy poses one of the biggest challenges to our national energy security and economic competitiveness,” Corker says. “Keeping our nation safe and competitive depends on our ability to diversify our energy supply so that we are less reliant on foreign sources of oil.
“Accomplishing this,” he continues, “will require a balanced approach that includes all available technologies: the continued development of alternative fuels, nuclear power and renewables such as solar and wind; investment in research and technology; the expansion of our refinery capacity to include biorefineries and coal-to-liquid facilities; conservation of our resources; and enhancing oil and gas production in an environmentally friendly way.”
Local Foods in Demand
The dynamics of a new way of living impact every aspect of our lives, including the dinner table. Terms such as “slow food,” “certified organic,” “certified naturally grown,” and “sustainable farming” have crept into conversations as Chattanoogans become increasingly aware of what they are eating and how it is produced. Slow food is simply a perspective on living and eating that is in harmony with the community and the environment. Increasingly, fruits, vegetables, meats and other consumables are viewed by consumers in the context of their production through natural methods.
Crabtree Farms, a research and educational project promoting sustainable agriculture, is located on 22 acres in the Clifton Hills neighborhood near downtown Chattanooga. Its Buy Fresh Buy Local program promotes the access of farmers to local markets and provides educational programs for consumers.
More and more, consumers are seeking food that is produced in the local “foodshed,” which means within a 50-mile radius of Chattanooga. In addition to fresh foods grown locally, consumers can enjoy hand-crafted foods prepared by food artisans, and restaurants continue to offer locally grown and produced foods in their daily fare.
“If given a choice,” said one shopper at the Chattanooga Market on a recent Sunday, “I prefer the idea of locally grown foods. To me, they are healthier and better tasting and also easier on the environment.”
According to TasteBuds, a local guide produced by Crabtree Farms, buying local offers several advantages. The guide suggests that flavor and nutrition are often improved because local produce is picked and harvested at the peak of ripeness. Additionally, local food keeps dollars within the local economy; local food reduces an individual’s carbon footprint by shortening the distance food travels from field to market; and local food increases food security within the area.
Through new and advanced manufacturing – requiring a higher skilled workforce – initiatives to develop alternative fuels and energy sources, efforts focused on protecting the environment, and a heightened awareness for living healthier lives, Chattanooga is a city being noticed across the U.S. and around the world. It is a city that is truly embracing a new economy and lifestyle... a new future.