If you've been around for a while, you may recall how we worried our computers would crash at the stroke of midnight on the last day of 1999, wiping out our bank accounts and shutting down the infrastructure as every digit of that year vanished into the weirdly futuristic-sounding 2000.

When EPB launched its Internet, video and phone services a decade ago in conjunction with efforts to build a smarter electric grid, the city-owned utility projected it would speed internet service and attract about 30,000 to 35,000 customers for its telecom services.

The hemp industry took root in a big way in 2019, sprouting businesses across Tennessee, and many people are betting on that trend to accelerate in 2020 despite some growing pains.

Volkswagen's dream of becoming the No. 1 seller of electric vehicles in America runs through Chattanooga.

As the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce rolls out its five-year strategy for economic and talent development this fall, it's not alone in its efforts to prepare new generations for the jobs of the future.

Chattanooga's biggest potential riverfront development downtown since the 21st Century Waterfront Project was completed more than a decade ago is moving ahead in 2020, officials say.

Founded: In 1972 by Randy Cornell

2002 — Battle Academy opens on Market Street, paving the way to the expansion of the Southside as an entertainment and residential district which has continued for almost two decades. The downtown magnet school is named for H.H. Battle, a former Chattanooga pastor and member of the former city board of education. Brown Academy, a twin magnet school near UTC, was also opened that year. The same year, Normal Park Museum Magnet opens across the river in North Chattanooga, serving as a catalyst for a residential and commercial resurgence in one of the city's traditional, pre-WWII neighborhoods.

In a city that delivers blazing-fast internet, looms large on the logistics landscape, and mints start-ups of every type, Phillip D. Glass is easy to overlook. Sitting blithely on that water tower along Riverside Drive, Glass cheerfully represents what we've long taken for granted in this city along the Tennessee River — clean, abundant water.

At age 33, Cameron Doody stepped back this fall from his career for the past nine years building one of Chattanooga's most successful startup businesses to focus on his family, friends and his next venture.

Fillauer Companies President Traci B. Dralle says that everything the Chattanooga-based orthotic and prosthetic device maker does is focused on patients in order to provide the best functional solutions for them.

Tourism is a billion-dollar business in Chattanooga and Hamilton County, but Barry White has more than money on his mind.

As site director for the Wacker Group's Charleston, Tennessee, chemical plant, Mary Beth Hudson oversees the largest single private investment in a manufacturing plant ever made in Tennessee.

After two years at the helm of an organization charged with driving economic development in the region, Christy Gillenwater is clear on what she diplomatically refers to as "the biggest opportunity for our community in the future."

When Cindy Lee launched Lync Logistics in May of 2014, she envisioned the freight brokerage business as a sideline to her main job at Lesco Logistics, a family-owned trucking firm she helped run for more than a decade.

Hodgen Mainda describes his personal journey as "a true American story."

In just over two years since he was chosen to lead Hamilton County Schools, Bryan Johnson and his team have focused the conversation about public education on what can be done to change the trajectory of students' lives and how a high-performing, successful school district can fuel the greater community's success.

His career in logistics and transport set up George Abernathy to know Chattanooga well. His first trip to the city was in 1997, and he returned many times over the years to work with US Xpress, Covenant Transport and Kenco, among others.

Dylan Pollack and Rebecca Brooks wanted to play outside and launch a business. For them, that added up to living in Chattanooga.

Diane Helbig is a staff writer for "Small Business Trends" and an internationally recognized business and leadership development consultant, author, speaker, radio show host, and workshop facilitator. Her 2015 article, "The 59 Commandments of Business Networking" is gold. She states, "Business networking is one of the most effective marketing and prospecting tools you can use to grow your business Done incorrectly, it can actually be harmful to your business." I couldn't agree more.

Who's in and who's out in 2019:

Flint and Jennifer Chaney never expected they would welcome their first child to the world in Chattanooga, but they have warmed up to the idea since moving here this summer.

Emily Szink, the news director for FreightWaves TV, left Omaha for Chattanooga in May, and has settled in happily with her dog NE (pronounced Enny).