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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

Chattanooga’s small-business incubator enters new era

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photo Richard Carmack, left, shows Richard McGinnis tomahawks Thursday during an open house at the Hamilton County Business Development Center.

BDC RENOVATIONFunding sources:• Hamilton County: $2 million• U.S. Economic Development Administration: $1.5 million• U.S. Housing and Urban Development: $1.37 millionSource: Chamber

Chattanooga’s small-business incubator, with upgrades such as EPB’s ultra-fast Internet and a modern telephone system, will attract more technology companies, officials said Thursday.

The state’s biggest business incubator and the third largest in the country is ready for a new era after a major revamp, said Kathryn Foster, who directs the facility for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce

“It has always had good bones,” she said about the 90-year-old Cherokee Boulevard building that received the nearly $5 million refurbishing.

The Hamilton County Business Development Center opened in 1988 after holding the 3M Co. for many years.