Wamp: Focus on the young job creators

Outgoing U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp on Monday told a Chattanooga job-growth group to focus more on working with young entrepreneurs.

He said the Enterprise Center board should "seed the next generation" when it comes to economic development.

The Tennessee Republican, who is leaving Congress after 16 years, said Chattanooga can parlay its technology and other assets to attract more of the under-40 job creators.

"The Enterprise Center needs to team up with those under 40," he told the nonprofit entity that focuses on technology-based economic development and central city revitalization.

Wamp said that's one way for Chattanooga to stop young people from leaving the area.

The center's board OK'd a resolution citing the congressman for his economic development work.

Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey called Wamp "a go-to person when we needed him."

"He was always available to us and knew how to make things happen," he said about Wamp, who declined to run for re-election and made an unsuccessful bid for governor.

Mayor Ron Littlefield said Wamp "was willing to take the initiative in a difficult place to do business."

"I'm anxious to see what's next," he said about the congressman.

Wamp did not specifically say what's in his future, but he cited the region's and nation's nuclear renaissance.

"That's where a lot of my equity and time will be," he said.

Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.

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