President Barack Obama waves to Amazon employees and guests as he leaves the Amazon Fulfillment Center.The Scenic City made big news in 2013. President Barack Obama showed up in summer touting his jobs plan at one of the area’s major employers; Chattanooga’s ultra-quick Internet connection earned national attention year-round and a controversial vote at Volkswagen took the union debate full tilt onto the national stage.
Local business groups say the spotlight is good for Chattanooga’s growing economy.
Bins containing orders are rushed to packaging at the Amazon Fulfillment Center.■ Obama came to town on July 30 to pitch his vision of helping expand middle-class jobs. After he visited the 1 million-square-foot Amazon Fulfillment Center in Chattanooga, Obama described a plan to cut corporate tax rates in exchange for more spending to create more middle-class jobs.
Before a 2,000-person crowd at the plant, the president praised Amazon and called on other parts of the country to create jobs that pay decent wages.
The job plan hasn’t yet panned out, but Amazon is going strong.