That has to be what we're most proud of, the ability to connect with [young people], to get them to think about careers and have a role in their education and readiness for the workforce.
Bill Kilbride recalls how the community-wide education and workforce initiative Chattanooga 2.0 was born a few years ago with just three people sitting in a room.
“Look at it today and the work being accomplished and the progress we’re making,” said Kilbride, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive.
Chattanooga 2.0, the Chamber-backed effort to improve academic excellence and prepare students for future jobs, was one of five factors cited by the United States Chamber of Commerce on Friday when it awarded the Chattanooga Chamber its first-ever 5-star accreditation.
Among about 7,000 chambers of commerce across the United States, only 112 hold the 5-star, or top, designation, according to the U.S. Chamber. Previously, the Chattanooga Chamber had a 4-star rating, Kilbride said.