Chattanooga 2.0 seeks public input

Chattanooga 2.0 is nearing the end of its first 100-day initiative, for which the goal was to develop action plans to improve education and better prepare Hamilton County residents for the job opportunities coming to the area.

In an effort to spark community conversation and gather public input, the group has hosted several events, and plans to hold a public forum in the northern part of Hamilton County involving a panel of members of the county commission’s education committee. The forum will be held at Mile Straight Baptist Church in Soddy-Daisy Thursday, April 21 at 6 p.m.

Attendees at a recent North Hamilton County Chamber Council meeting heard about the Chattanooga 2.0 initiative – focused on improving education in Hamilton County and preparing students to attain the secondary education or certification necessary to get jobs that pay a living wage – from Chattanooga 2.0 Director Jared Bigham.

“The majority of Hamilton County residents do not have the level of education required by the industries growing in the area,” he said, adding that 83 percent of jobs require postsecondary credentials.