Expecting to lose nearly $8 million in federal money for a community hub at Chattanooga’s Westside, officials made their case Monday for receiving $1.5 million from a city board to help replace that funding.
That money, plus $4.5 million proposed in Mayor Tim Kelly’s capital budget, would make it possible to complete the first phase of renovations at the James A. Henry building, Betsy McCright, executive director of the Chattanooga Housing Authority, told board members.
“Right now, we don’t feel like we have a funding gap for Phase 1,” she said.
Members of the Industrial Development Board are set to vote on the proposed funding at a July 7 meeting.
Board member Jimmy Rodgers said he wanted to be sure that the board, meant to support industry and economic development, was the best funder for the hub.