The Chattanooga area business community continued to adapt last month to the changes in consumer patterns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced plans for a small modular reactor to be built on the Clinch River in Roane County near Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Zaxby’s restaurant chain also opened its ninth restaurant location in the area.
Here’s a look at business trends in February for the Chattanooga area:
What's opening
Label E, a hair salon founded by Erica Alvey and Emalee Killian, opened at Cambridge Square in Ooltewah. Label E offers a number of custom beauty services, including luxury extensions, coloring and facial waxing.
Zaxby’s chicken chain opened its ninth restaurant in the Chattanooga area. The new double drive-through is located at 3105 Cummings Highway next to the John A. Patten Recreation Center.
Erlanger Baroness Hospital has partnered with local blood supplier Blood Assurance to open a blood platelet donation center inside the hospital. The center is open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the first floor.
What's expanding
Tennessee Valley Authority directors authorized spending up to $200 million to design, develop and license a small modular reactor to be built on the Clinch River in Roane County near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Steam Logistics, a fast-growing business in the trucking and logistics sector in Chattanooga, dubbed its new downtown headquarters “the Steam Center” in February.
The McNabb Center purchased the former Greyhound bus terminal near the Chattanooga Airport to expand the center’s mental health services, including its peer support program.
Hudson Materials is planning to build a $10 million plant in Chattanooga’s Centre South Riverport Industrial Park to expand its production and staff.
Announced developments
U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc. announced plans to convert part of its vacated headquarters facility to a new Future Ready Institute to train more students in information technology and other job skills needed to serve the logistics industry.
The Red Bank Planning Commission has recommended rezoning one of the city’s biggest shopping centers to allow for part of the 7.1-acre strip center on Dayton Boulevard to be converted into a mixed-use development with townhomes, offices and storefronts.
One of downtown Chattanooga’s iconic office buildings, which previously held the headquarters of the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, has sold for $4 million to a local developer. Renovation plans include multiple suites of professional office space according to the company, Noon Development LLC.
A developer has proposed a new hotel to go up next to the Chattanooga Convention Center on Carter Street. The planned seven-story structure will hold both the Home2 Suites and Tru by Hilton brands.
– Compiled by Kiara Green