Annual CityScope® Business Issue
In a state nicknamed the “Volunteer State,” it’s no surprise that Chattanoogans reflect this generosity throughout their daily endeavors. With community outreach programs, a hospitable spirit, and continual investment in city development, these local businesses showcase what it means to connect with community in their professional practices.
“Givers’ Gain.”
We connect with social media and “Never Text & Drive” campaigns. We strive to make our streets safer by championing laws and personal habits that decrease distracted driving.
We’ve found that when given the opportunity, Chattanooga prefers a local business instead of out-of-state businesses. Local Chattanoogans support local businesses who reinvest in our local community.
Our goal is that every client leaves a 5-star review for our firm.
“Giving Back with Gratitude”: Our team commits to “Giving Back with Gratitude” by making community service a core part of our culture. We don’t just donate – we take action. Together, we’ve cleaned and sanitized rooms at the Chambliss Center for Children, pulled clover from a bioretention basin at Warner Park, and built and painted homes for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, just to name a few. We also encourage employees to suggest volunteer efforts that matter to them, ensuring that our service is meaningful to everyone on our team. Whether through hands-on projects, sponsorships, or local partnerships, we remain dedicated to giving back to the community that has supported us.
One special moment was at an event when a customer told us they had fond memories of drinking our products with their grandparents and now share that same experience with their own children. It was a powerful reminder that our brand isn’t just about beverages – it’s about tradition, connection, and bringing people together. These experiences remind us why staying involved in the community matters.
Staying connected with the community isn’t just something we do – it’s who we are. Our customers aren’t just numbers; they’re our friends, neighbors, and the reason we’re in business. When we listen, engage, and give back, we build real, meaningful relationships and create a brand that means something beyond just a product. Prioritizing community involvement keeps us grounded, helps us understand what matters to the people we serve, and allows us to make a meaningful impact. It’s not just about selling beverages – it’s about being part of something bigger. When the community thrives, we all do.
We are very involved in civic and charitable causes in our community. Our associates are all given paid time off to volunteer in the community. At FirstBank, we feel that giving time and resources to better our communities is part of our heritage and mission.
This past year we were involved in a year-long effort to lead a consortium of banks to help the Chattanooga Lookouts put together financing to build a new ballpark on the Southside. This will be the catalyst for a tremendous amount of investment around the site to help our city grow in terms of new housing and new employment opportunities.
Chattanoogans take pride in our community, and they appreciate a bank with local people helping to build a bridge for consumers and businesses to get from where they are to where they want to be. At FirstBank, we appreciate the opportunity to serve Chattanoogans. We have local people with local knowledge making local decisions.
Like most successful marketing campaigns, our stickiest content is what comes from our heart. It’s an honor to our team that our patients share their quality visits on social media, which has led to our practice seeing patients from Atlanta, Nashville, and all of the furthest reaches of the Chattanooga community. We further aim to educate and excite young people about dental care through seasonal events around town at schools, daycares, or local businesses like The Book & Cover.
As a Chattanooga native, I understand how special our local community is. There is truly nowhere like it in the country, and a big reason for that is the support of local businesses and the predilection of its citizens to constantly give back. I believe staying in tune with the community is paramount to continuing the momentum the area is currently experiencing. As a mother of two young girls, I have a vested interest in Chattanooga continuing to evolve into the best version of itself over the next several decades.
Small gestures can make a big difference. The staff at BEAM is highly vetted and trained to show care, love, and attention to detail from start to finish. Patients get a fun and educational animated video to walk them through what to expect prior to their first visit, narrated by me. In the evening, I call each operative patient personally to ensure that they are happy with their visit, and first-time visitors can expect a handwritten card from the doctor as well. When you stack these initiatives up, you see a thought-out patient experience that is anchored in true care from the team at BEAM.
Our employees have huge hearts. In many ways, they’re the hands and feet of BlueCross in the communities we serve. In 2024 alone, they donated more than 16,000 hours of their time to over 400 organizations in Tennessee. From stocking shelves at food banks to creating cards for senior citizens in care facilities, our TeamBlue volunteers are always ready to help others, and I’m constantly amazed by their passion and the ways they live out our mission every day.
I think if you asked any of the members of our Community Relations team, they’d have a story from a community member about how BlueCross has had a positive impact on their life. We’ve heard from parents of special needs children about how our BlueCross Healthy Places make it possible for them to play with their friends. We’ve also heard about how funding from our Community Trust has increased how many residents in need are able to receive meal deliveries at home. Those stories are the real measures of success, in my opinion.
“We’re here for you.” We live in the communities we serve, and our members are our neighbors. We’re committed to providing residents of our state – and all our members – with peace of mind through better health. Of course, that means helping them find doctors and get care, but it also means finding ways to strengthen communities statewide. We’ve evolved the way we connect with our communities over time. One thing I think is key is a willingness to pivot and embrace change. If you think something can be done differently or enhance how you serve your community, challenge yourself to try something new.
A bank can only be as strong and vibrant as the community it serves. We are committed to supporting growth, economic stability, and revitalization efforts in Chattanooga. We know what’s happening in our communities because our team members live there too! Supporting these efforts is just good business.
It’s in our DNA to give back to the communities we serve. Long-standing partnerships have resulted in us banking the majority of nonprofits in Chattanooga, and we’re extremely grateful for the opportunity. Over the last five years, our bank has provided additional foundation giving for COVID-19 relief, tornadoes that struck many of our communities, and most recently, relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Helene. We know that we’re stronger when our communities are strong.
Our customers often say that they choose First Horizon Bank because of our commitment to community. Chattanooga has a legacy of philanthropy and service, and I’m proud of what our bank has done to promote philanthropy over our 120 years of operations here. This reputation is part of why we have been named Chattanooga’s “Best Bank” for 17-straight years, and we have had the No. 1 market share for many years. We also take our regulatory responsibilities very seriously, including the Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Standards.
“Cultivate Kindness, Foster Community, Be Happy, Be Caffeinated.” These pillars guide our efforts in all that we do. We support local cornerstones of the community, including nonprofits, other small businesses, artists, musicians, and the youth. We also offer our monthly giveback program, the (Be)Kind Initiative, Bagels of Change, Coffee Break(Outs), and more!
We do limited menus for things like new Taylor Swift album releases, holidays, pairing drinks with local bands, and even drinks in partnership with the Chattanooga Zoo! My favorite initiative was a March Madness bracket, where we had customers make brackets of our most popular past drink flavors and guess which one would win! At the end of 2024, we did a pup cup calendar with Luck’s Rescue, where customers brought in their dogs and cats to have a photoshoot for the calendar. It was a great example of what community looks like, as people were so excited to take pictures with their animals all for a good cause of helping the animal rescue.
This is perhaps one of the most important things a business can do in my opinion. Without people, there is no point to what we do, and our entire point as a business is to make people happy. Whether this is through our hospitality, menu, or remembering someone’s order, the things that our baristas do every day is what makes everything feel like a community. This is what makes a stronger city, more mentally healthy people, and a happier world. This city is magic, and we get to experience it every day.
