People in Alaska are already laughing at this. In Anchorage, we've already topped 100 inches of snow for the winter, and we still have about 8 weeks to go. Just two weeks ago the "high" temp was in the -8 to -5 range. Right now, Anchorage is warmer (37 degrees) than Chattanooga (21 degrees).
Even at $1 one segment/$4 round trip it's better than the buses up here in Anchorage. Here, it's $1.75 each bus or $5 for an unlimited day pass. There are also monthly or annual options. The problem is that unless you're near one of the handful of routes that run more than once an hour, or you're near a place where multiple routes converge, you're basically guaranteed to take at least two buses each way and have anywhere from a 30 min - hour wait between buses. And there are no free shuttle options here at all. That is one big advantage Chattanooga has.
@befair - if you had read the article, the fight at the Hixson-east Hamilton game was in the stands, and Hixson's players went into the stands. And if you had read the article, you'd have seen that Hixson was not let off easy:
"Eight Hixson players left the court and bench area and rushed into the stands. Those players later were dismissed from the team, and Hixson was put on two-year probation and fined $1,250 this year and another $1,000 for the second year of probation."
It seems to me that you're trying to make this an issue or race, when it's an issue of the conduct on the court that is the real problem here. Ignoring the facts of both cases to try to make that claim only undermines any credibility you might have.
If true, this will likely mean more jobs for Chattanooga, and probably more jobs with the onsite suppliers as well. It was no secret that expansion was viewed as a possibility down the line for the new plant. VW must be seeing something they like to even be considering the possibility before full-scale production of the Jetta begins.
That bill wouldn't pass even a basic Constitutional test as far as the establishment clause goes. If it does get passed, it will get thrown out as soon as possible. Do these legislators even know the US Constitution?
At this point nobody knows for sure how much (if any) profit this new FBO will generate. However, as more companies like Volkswagen, Amazon, etc. move into the area, the need to support private aircraft will increase as well. The addition of a fueling center will probably have the biggest positive impact, as it will lower costs for general aviation aircraft flying into and out of Chattanooga.
Another big difference between Chattanooga and places like Minneapolis, Buffalo, or Anchorage: those cities allow the use of studded tires in winter, which provide additional grip in icy conditions. You can't use those tires in the south, and most people aren't going to buy a set of chains. Yes, local governments are much better equipped to deal with clearing roads when it snows in these places, but the drivers also know how to drive in these conditions. You can't say the same for the majority of drivers in warmer climates.
I was born and raised in Chattanooga, but I'll be here in Anchorage for one final winter before coming back home. And I have seen schools close due to snow even here in Alaska. It's rare, but not unprecedented. Sometimes, conditions just won't allow for roads to be cleared properly in a given time frame.
From what I've read, the Bradley County facility is actually smaller than the one proposed for Enterprise South. Also, the Bradley County facility may be more of a satellite operation whereas the Enterprise South facility would be the main hub.
@ Allison 12: It's clear that you have no clear conception of how VW's presence in Chattanooga will benefit the city and county. You are selectively picking and choosing numbers to bolster your case, you you ignore the other 95% that disprove your contentions. You also sit there and tell someone who owns a small business that they don't know what they're talking about in terms of PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, because your hand-picked numbers say otherwise.
I seriously question where you got your average lifespan of an auto factory from, because the majority of auto factories in existence have been operational for much longer than your "11-18 years" claim. You might have skewed numbers because of GM and Chrysler closing down long-operating plants, but most of them were in operation for 4 decades or more.
The bottom line is that Chattanooga hit a steep decline when industry left the downtown area decades ago. I still remember when you didn't go downtown after 6pm. Now downtown is vibrant, full of life, and there's always something going on. Yes, that is largely tourism-based, but you can't built a strong economic base on tourism alone.
One important thing that you have continuously overlooked: while many of the VW hires may not be FROM Hamilton County, they WILL be spending money in Hamilton County and likely living in the county. That means that they WILL be contributing in terms of sales taxes, property taxes, etc. The other thing you overlook is the number of first-tier suppliers that will be starting operations in the area, which will also contribute directly to the local economy.
In the long run, the economic benefits of VW and associated development will far outweigh the amount of taxpayer funds being used today.
Wintry weather rolls into Chattanooga area
People in Alaska are already laughing at this. In Anchorage, we've already topped 100 inches of snow for the winter, and we still have about 8 weeks to go. Just two weeks ago the "high" temp was in the -8 to -5 range. Right now, Anchorage is warmer (37 degrees) than Chattanooga (21 degrees).
Chattanooga ranks last in transit access
Even at $1 one segment/$4 round trip it's better than the buses up here in Anchorage. Here, it's $1.75 each bus or $5 for an unlimited day pass. There are also monthly or annual options. The problem is that unless you're near one of the handful of routes that run more than once an hour, or you're near a place where multiple routes converge, you're basically guaranteed to take at least two buses each way and have anywhere from a 30 min - hour wait between buses. And there are no free shuttle options here at all. That is one big advantage Chattanooga has.
Brainerd, Howard knocked out for fight
@befair - if you had read the article, the fight at the Hixson-east Hamilton game was in the stands, and Hixson's players went into the stands. And if you had read the article, you'd have seen that Hixson was not let off easy:
"Eight Hixson players left the court and bench area and rushed into the stands. Those players later were dismissed from the team, and Hixson was put on two-year probation and fined $1,250 this year and another $1,000 for the second year of probation."
It seems to me that you're trying to make this an issue or race, when it's an issue of the conduct on the court that is the real problem here. Ignoring the facts of both cases to try to make that claim only undermines any credibility you might have.
VW to expand plant, site says
If true, this will likely mean more jobs for Chattanooga, and probably more jobs with the onsite suppliers as well. It was no secret that expansion was viewed as a possibility down the line for the new plant. VW must be seeing something they like to even be considering the possibility before full-scale production of the Jetta begins.
Tennessee bill would jail Shariah followers
That bill wouldn't pass even a basic Constitutional test as far as the establishment clause goes. If it does get passed, it will get thrown out as soon as possible. Do these legislators even know the US Constitution?
Late salvo in Lovell flight Group says study predicts loss from rival fixed-base operator
At this point nobody knows for sure how much (if any) profit this new FBO will generate. However, as more companies like Volkswagen, Amazon, etc. move into the area, the need to support private aircraft will increase as well. The addition of a fueling center will probably have the biggest positive impact, as it will lower costs for general aviation aircraft flying into and out of Chattanooga.
Snow gone; freezing rain next for Chattanooga
Another big difference between Chattanooga and places like Minneapolis, Buffalo, or Anchorage: those cities allow the use of studded tires in winter, which provide additional grip in icy conditions. You can't use those tires in the south, and most people aren't going to buy a set of chains. Yes, local governments are much better equipped to deal with clearing roads when it snows in these places, but the drivers also know how to drive in these conditions. You can't say the same for the majority of drivers in warmer climates.
I was born and raised in Chattanooga, but I'll be here in Anchorage for one final winter before coming back home. And I have seen schools close due to snow even here in Alaska. It's rare, but not unprecedented. Sometimes, conditions just won't allow for roads to be cleared properly in a given time frame.
Distribution center on ‘fast track’ for Bradley location
From what I've read, the Bradley County facility is actually smaller than the one proposed for Enterprise South. Also, the Bradley County facility may be more of a satellite operation whereas the Enterprise South facility would be the main hub.
Hamilton County courts 2,000 more jobs
@ Allison 12: It's clear that you have no clear conception of how VW's presence in Chattanooga will benefit the city and county. You are selectively picking and choosing numbers to bolster your case, you you ignore the other 95% that disprove your contentions. You also sit there and tell someone who owns a small business that they don't know what they're talking about in terms of PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, because your hand-picked numbers say otherwise.
I seriously question where you got your average lifespan of an auto factory from, because the majority of auto factories in existence have been operational for much longer than your "11-18 years" claim. You might have skewed numbers because of GM and Chrysler closing down long-operating plants, but most of them were in operation for 4 decades or more.
The bottom line is that Chattanooga hit a steep decline when industry left the downtown area decades ago. I still remember when you didn't go downtown after 6pm. Now downtown is vibrant, full of life, and there's always something going on. Yes, that is largely tourism-based, but you can't built a strong economic base on tourism alone.
One important thing that you have continuously overlooked: while many of the VW hires may not be FROM Hamilton County, they WILL be spending money in Hamilton County and likely living in the county. That means that they WILL be contributing in terms of sales taxes, property taxes, etc. The other thing you overlook is the number of first-tier suppliers that will be starting operations in the area, which will also contribute directly to the local economy.
In the long run, the economic benefits of VW and associated development will far outweigh the amount of taxpayer funds being used today.