Daniel Dassow

Daniel Dassow is a business reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He earned degrees in English and religious studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2023, where he served as editor-in-chief of The Daily Beacon. He previously worked as a tech and energy reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel. He is the youngest of six siblings. Contact him at 423-757-6318 or ddassow@timesfreepress.com.

Contact business reporter Daniel Dassow at ddassow@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.

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Global firm sues Bradley County to build 300-acre data center

by Daniel Dassow ·September 21, 2026

County will fight challenge to its regulations, mayor says

Bradley County / London-based SDCL has sued Bradley County over tight restrictions county officials placed on data centers in April. A site plan published by Bradley County shows the proposed layout a Project Midspan, a 300-acre data center campus planned by SDCL.

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TVA CEO Mike Skaggs goes old-school to usher in ‘era of good feelings’

by Daniel Dassow ·September 19, 2026

Mike Skaggs' return to the Tennessee Valley Authority as interim CEO has ushered in a new "era of good feelings" for the regional development agency, officials said. It's a welcome break from a sustained period of political discord early in the second Trump administration.

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Interim CEO Mike Skaggs speaks with Cline Jones, executive director of the Tennessee River Valley Association, during a Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors meeting in Guntersville, Ala. on Thursday, May 21, 2026. Officials and partners say Skaggs has ushered in a new 'era of good feelings' at TVA.

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Totality Brewing to elevate Chattanooga beer scene in historic building

by Daniel Dassow ·September 19, 2026

Grand opening set for Sept. 25 after years of work

Staff Photo by Brynn Meisse / Totality Brewing will hold its grand opening Sept. 25, 2026, at 1519 McCallie Ave.

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Chattanooga’s Gumption becomes source of envied commercial real estate data

by Daniel Dassow ·September 19, 2026

Firm has expanded coast to coast this year

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter / Gumption cofounder and CEO Jonathan Dickerson poses for a photo at Brickyard on Sept. 15, 2026.

EPB launches $22M quantum computer to solve grid problems, boost economy

by Daniel Dassow ·September 18, 2026

EPB launched a $22-million quantum computer Friday morning, making Chattanooga's municipal utility the first company in the world to combine commercial quantum computing and quantum networking in one center.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Robert Long, president of strategic initiatives for EPB, left, looks on as Patrick Swingle, manager of quantum systems, talks about the IonQ Forte Enterprise quantum computer at EPB headquarters Sept. 18, 2026.

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Report that claimed Novonix closure is ‘unequivocally false,’ CEO says

by Daniel Dassow ·September 18, 2026

Novonix is not closing, said CEO Mike O'Kronley, refuting a report based on an anonymous source claiming contractors were told the Chattanooga-based battery materials manufacturer was shutting down.

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Novonix CEO Mike O'Kronley talks during a tour of Novonix headquarters. Novonix refuted an anonymous report on Sept. 18, 2026, claiming the Chattanooga-based business would close. They say it's open and progressing toward goal of becoming major graphite supplier.

Wright family requests Project River delay to address public concerns

by Daniel Dassow ·September 18, 2026

The Wright family of Wright Brothers Construction has asked the city of Cleveland, Tennessee, to delay action on Project River, the family's expansive proposed industrial campus in Bradley County.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Protesters wave signs across the street from Wright Brothers headquarters in Charleston, Tenn., on Sept. 3, 2026.

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‘Final issue’: Rock City says gondola will be quieter than a refrigerator

by Daniel Dassow ·September 16, 2026

After more than eight months of promoting its planned gondola, Rock City addressed what it called the "final issue" before an upcoming vote on the project: How noisy would the ropeway lift up Lookout Mountain be?

Contributed Photo / The gondola Rock City wants to build would be quieter than a modern refrigerator, the company said ahead of a key vote by the Lookout Mountain City Council scheduled for Sept. 21, 2026.

Chattanooga FC cuts ribbon on new headquarters, player housing

by Daniel Dassow ·September 16, 2026

The Chattanooga Football Club cut a ribbon Wednesday on the professional soccer team's new headquarters on Riverfront Parkway.

Vance Bell returns as Shaw Industries CEO, replaces Tim Baucom

by Daniel Dassow ·September 16, 2026

Dalton-based Shaw Industries Group announced its chair and longtime former CEO, Vance Bell, returned to the office of chief executive.