In this episode of City Chatt, the podcast for City of Chattanooga employees, we talk to Miles Huff, the director of the office of new Chattanoogans. We dive into what makes Chattanooga attractive to those considering a move, how new residents can get involved locally, and the special sauce that makes Chattanooga not just a great city, but a great community. Miles also shares resources for new Chattanoogans and info for city employees on how to help new residents acclimate.

Links:

• Office of New Chattanoogans

In this episode of City Chatt, the podcast for City of Chattanooga employees, we talk to Katie Mullaney and Aliyah Swilley about the LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group. They discuss a vision of greater inclusion for all kinds of people at the city, as well as in the Chattanooga community more broadly. From allyship to activism, they talk about how everyone can get involved in making One Chattanooga a reality.

On May 28, the group will host a listening session at White Duck Taco from 5-7 p.m. The purpose of the event is to better understand what support looks like right now for LGBTQIA+ people and allies in Chattanooga, where there may be gaps, and what the ERG can do to help. This event, like their monthly meetings, are open to all.

Links in this episode:

• LGBTQIA+ ERG channel on The Landing
• City of Chattanooga Pride shirt
• Register for the event on May 28

Keto, Mediterranean, Carnivore...what's the best diet? Is protein maxxing necessary? And is there a way to make lima beans delicious? In the latest episode of City Chatt, the podcast for employees at the City of Chattanooga, Jaimee Cooper, the dietician at the WellAdvantage Center, discusses the services she offers. From diabetes classes, to monthly cooking demonstrations, to personalized sessions, Jaimee is ready to help employees meet their health and nutrition goals.

Episode Links:

• WellAdvantage

It's been under wraps and in the works for six months, and now (drum roll, please)...the City of Chattanooga Down Payment Assistance Program has launched!

The City of Chattanooga is offering up to $15,000 in down payment assistance to help first-time homebuyers overcome the upfront costs of purchasing a home. Through a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), eligible buyers may qualify for up to $21,000 in total assistance when combining City and THDA programs.

Learn all about this program in the latest episode of City Chatt, which includes an interview with Megan Miles, Director of Housing Policy, and Jacki Madding, a consultant who works on housing issues.

Links:

• Program details: chattanooga.gov/dpa
• Press release

What does a healthy and safe Chattanooga for all look like and how do we achieve it? Dr. Derek Anderson, Director of the Office of Community Health, talks about the three parts of Chattanooga's efforts around community health, including services for victims of abuse, nurse navigators to provide health education, and community safety and gun violence prevention.

Related Links:

• Dr. Carol B. Berz Family Justice Center
• Office of Community Health
• One Chattanooga Plan
• Summer Outreach Safety Fest

What does it take to launch a new venture in Chattanooga, and where can an aspiring entrepreneur go for mentorship and assistance? The City of Chattanooga has now opened the Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) on ML King Blvd to answer these questions and more. Resources such as one-on-0ne assistance, office and event space, and training opportunities are available to entrepreneurs of all kinds, whether they are new to starting a business, planning for business transition and succession, or growing their business to the next level.

In this episode of City Chatt, the podcast for City of Chattanooga employees, we talk to Winston Brooks, Director of Economic Development and Entrepreneurship at the SBRC, as well as Josh Brown, a business counselor with the Tennessee Small Business Development Center. We discuss why the SBRC exists, who it serves, and what is now available through this office.

Sites mentioned in this episode:

• Chattanooga Small Business Resource Center
• Tennessee Small Business Development Center
• Chattanooga Entrepreneurship Week

In this episode of City Chatt, the podcast for City of Chattanooga employees, we discuss the many services available to survivors of abuse in our community, with Regina McDevitt, the executive director of the Family Justice Center (FJC). From new clothes, to counseling, to emergency housing, to legal assistance, FJC staff connect people to resources in our community to increase safety and hope.

More information about the Family Justice Center, including services available and events can be found at https://fjc.chattanooga.gov.

In this episode of City Chatt, we catch up with Ken Martin and Jenks Parker in the Land Development Office to discuss what sustainable development looks like in Chattanooga, from green infrastructure, to floodplain management, to new mapping efforts. Also, listen for the hot tip about reduced cost flood insurance if you live in Chattanooga!

Episode links:

• New floodplain maps: https://chattanoogatn.withforerunner.com/
• Property flood risk info: https://chattanooga.gov/stay-informed/zoning-maps/property-flood-risk
• Land Development Office: https://chattanooga.gov/government/public-works/land-development-office
• National Flood Insurance Program: https://www.floodsmart.gov/