Thrive 2055 Announces $1.05 Billion In Regional Business Investments For June

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Thrive 2055 officials said on Tuesday that a total of $1.05 billion in new business investment plans were announced within the 16-county Chattanooga region in a single month.

The regional economic development announcements made in June 2015 included a diverse mix of existing and new industries, from a pulp and paper manufacturing expansion in McMinn County, to an auto parts manufacturing expansion in Hamilton County, to a new Internet data center in Jackson County, Al.

These new and existing business investments are projected to bring up to 700 new jobs to the residents of the 16-county region.

Thrive 2055 Project Manager Bridgett Massengill said, "When Thrive 2055 was first launched in 2012, the Chattanooga region had experienced $4 billion in new business investments over a four year period, between 2008 and 2012. That remarkable achievement also brought awareness to the growth our region was experiencing, particularly in light of the economic downturn the rest of the country was going through. Now we've seen over $1 billion in one month alone."

Thrive 2055 is a citizen-led, public-private endeavor to engage people from across the 16-county, tri-state Chattanooga region of southeast Tennessee, northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama to make the most of economic opportunities while preserving what people love most about their home communities. The objective of Thrive 2055's work in the past three years has been to identify the values and goals that citizens think should take priority as the region grows.

"Putting the month of June in perspective, $1 billion in one month indicates an incredible growth trajectory that will bring both rewards and challenges," said Ms. Massengill. "This is all the more reason for our 16 counties to work together toward the future. A win for one is a win for all."

The volunteer working groups for Thrive 2055 will wrap up their three years of research and public engagement in September. Then, Thrive 2055 will work to assist people throughout the tri-state region in reaching a strong vision for the future.