Page 20 – Chattanooga News Chronicle

Dr. Bernice King and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz to headline UTC MLK Day 2024

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January 14, 2024

Dr. Bernice King and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz to headline UTC MLK Day 2024

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will celebrate its 11th UTC MLK Day by bringing a pair of co-headliners to Chattanooga.

Dr. Bernice A. King and Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz will be the keynote speakers for the UTC MLK Day 2024 celebration taking place at 12:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium Walker Theatre–located at 399 McCallie Ave.

Open to the general public, this will be the first UTC MLK Day event held in an off-campus venue.

“A Conversation with Bernice King and Ilyasah Shabazz–A Legacy of Leadership and Service” will be moderated by UTC Vice Chancellor for Engagement Stacy Lightfoot and Student Government Association President Chamyra Teasley. The program will include a discussion and Q&A.

All guests are required to RSVP. For information, call 423-425-5683 or contact mcc@utc.edu.

King, a minister, attorney, and daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is the chief executive officer of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Commonly known as The King Center, the not-for-profit organization was founded by her mother, Coretta Scott King, as the official living memorial to her father’s life, work, and legacy.

Shabazz, an award-winning author, educator, producer and daughter of Malcolm X, is chairperson of the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. She has authored five historical novels, has served as project advisor for the PBS award-winning film, “Prince Among Slaves,” and is currently producing a television series based on her latest two publications–“X” and “The Awakening of Malcolm X”–with Sony Pictures Entertainment’s TriStar Pictures.

According to Christopher Stokes, assistant director of the UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs, bringing together the daughters of Dr. King and Malcolm X came out of a conversation between Dr. Tara Mathis, the associate dean of students and director of the Multicultural Center, and Sherese Williams, director of operations and admissions for the Honors College and president of the UTC Black Faculty and Staff Association.

“Sherese presented the idea to us and asked, ‘What if we could make this happen?’ and we were like, ‘That’s a little bit bigger than we’ve gone before, so let’s see what we can do,”’ Stokes recalled. “What would that look like if we moved this to an off-campus venue? How would we bring them together? What would the conversation look like? How would our community embrace it?

“After a few conversations, Dr. Mathis pulled our sponsors together from last year and pitched the idea to them. They were all on board and brought a new level of excitement to this event. With these two names, the work they do and the legacy that both of their fathers left, we thought it would be an incredible opportunity to bring them together at UTC.”

Said Mathis, “Even when I reached out to the speaker’s bureau and our rep, he didn’t know if we could pull this off. He was like, ‘Oh, that’s interesting. I don’t know if we can do that, but we’ll contact them.’ He reached out to them individually to see if they were interested in coming–and they were–and it went from an initial conversation to that’s a pretty good idea to making it happen.”

King continues to advance her parents’ legacy of nonviolent social change through policy, advocacy, research, education and training based on nonviolent principles and strategies modeled by her parents. She received a Doctorate of Law from Emory University in Atlanta, a Master of Divinity from Emory’s Candler School of Theology and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta.

Shabazz has dedicated herself to institution-building and intergenerational leadership development with the tenants of diversity, equity and inclusion in her work to preserve her parents’ legacy. She received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Worcester (Massachusetts) State University, a master’s degree in human resource development from Fordham University in New York and a bachelor’s degree in biology from SUNY New Paltz in New York.

UTC began hosting a special MLK event on a day separate from the federal holiday in 2013. Previous UTC MLK Day keynote speakers have included prominent educators Angela Davis and Cornell West, New York Times bestselling author Meena Harris, political strategist Symone Sanders and journalist Roland Martin.

“When you’ve brought Cornell West and Angela Davis to campus, you’ve kind of set a standard, and we wanted to continue to move forward and challenge ourselves and our community to bring someone different to campus,” Stokes said. “In honor of Dr. King, we had talked about bringing his daughter before, but we also wanted to find a way to create a larger impact and a larger conversation.

“We really have something that our campus and community want, and they want to see more events like this. It shows our growing position as Chattanooga’s university, our role in connecting with the community and providing opportunities, resources and a space where we can educate our community as well.”

Curtis (CJ) Drake Named 2023Mr. Beautillion XIII at The Links, Incorporated Biennial Gala

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January 13, 2024

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Curtis (CJ) Drake Named 2023Mr. Beautillion XIII at The Links, Incorporated Biennial Gala

Chattanooga, Tenn. — More than 300 guests filled a Chattanooga Convention Center ballroom to witness Curtis Jackson Drake named as Mr. Beautillion 2023. (Beau) Drake, the son of Mr. Curtis and Dr. Marsha Drake, earned the distinguished title at “Beautillion XIII: The Making of a Gentleman” presented by the Chattanooga Chapter of The Links, Incorporated on Saturday November 11, 2023. The East Hamilton High School junior was escorted by (Belle) JaMya Talis Rogan, daughter of Dr. Jerome and Mrs. LaTasha Rogan.

The first runner-up was Mr. Benjamin Sledge, a senior at Central High School. Benjamin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Sledge. He was escorted by (Belle) Dana Hardaway.

The second runner-up was Kobe Smith, a senior at Red Bank High School. Kobe is the son of Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Hailee Young. He was escorted by (Belle) Je’Annyia Phillips.

Since its inception, the Beautillion has been considered a rite of passage event that formally presents young black men to society. Its participants include 9th through 12th grade young men – referred to as Beaux – and their escorts known as Belles. For the first time in local Beautillion history, the Chattanooga Links also presented Junior Beaux (with Belles) ranging from 3rd to 7th grades.

The winner of Mr. Junior Beautillion 2023 was Cheikh (CJ) Diakhate Jr., son of Mr. Cheikh Diakhate Sr. and Ms. Felicion McMillon. “CJ”, a 7th grader at Chattanooga Preparatory School was escorted by (Junior Belle) Zyhonna Ca’Mya Jackson, daughter of Mr. Anthony Jackson and Ms. Jerrian Hicks.

This year, eleven senior Beaux and seven junior Beaux completed a wide range of activities during which they participated in community service, cultural engagement events, self-enhancement seminars, social etiquette skills, and other fun outings along the way.

“Beautillion XIII was a stellar event that showcased an exceptional group of young men,” said Dr. Angelnetta McGee Ulmer, Chattanooga Links President. “We are confident that each of the Beaux have benefitted greatly from this experience and will continue to apply these skills in their young adult lives.”

After practicing for several months for the occasion, the Beaux and the Belles looked stunning in their tuxedoes and ball gowns and showed members of the Chattanooga community and surrounding areas all the work they put in for the formal presentation. Proceeds from the biennial fundraiser go back into the community through scholarships for students heading to college. The Chattanooga Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is grateful to the like-minded families of the participants, corporate sponsors, and a supportive community for pouring into our youth in a way that builds confidence, self-esteem, and encourages their dreams. Because of everyone’s support, Beautillion XIII: The Making of a Gentleman was a grand success.

Mayor Tim Kelly releases year-end highlights, looks ahead to ‘24

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January 6, 2024

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Mayor Tim Kelly releases year-end highlights, looks ahead to ‘24

In 2023, the Kelly Administration earned accolades in financial strength, made significant progress toward One Chattanooga goals, and continued its commitment to responsive and effective governing.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (December 2023) – Last week at year’s end, Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and his administration released a snapshot of the team’s achievements in 2023. From the City’s AAA bond rating and accolades in financial reporting to the largest grant for urban forestry in our history, the Kelly Administration remains committed to a responsive and effective approach to governing and to improving the quality of life for every Chattanoogan in every corner of the city.

“I’m excited about the momentum we are carrying into the new year, and I’m proud to know that we are making our city an even better place for everyone who chooses to call Chattanooga home,” said Mayor Kelly. “While we haven’t yet arrived, the progress we’ve made in 2023 is substantial – and we’re going to continue to execute on the priorities and issues that matter most to Chattanooga’s residents in 2024.”

Building a Universal Path to Early Learning:

Established the One Chattanooga Institute for Early Care and Learning at Tyner Academy.
Launched Early and Often, a kindergarten preparation program where participants receive educational materials, experiences and resources.
Expanded Early Learning seats and developed an 84% total enrollment in programming, an improvement from 75% in 2022 and toward the goal of 100% enrollment by summer of 2024.

Catalyzing Economic Vitality in the Black Community:

Launched Chattanooga’s first Mentor Hub, a tool designed to foster meaningful connections between community members and organizations offering mentoring services for youth.
400+ participants in Employment Resource Fairs at City Community Centers.
1 of 16 cities participating in the Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy through US Dept. of Labor, which will lead to innovative and scalable city-supported solutions that upskill and reskill workers into quality, high-demand jobs.
Named finalist for Economic Development Administration Recompete Grant for workforce development in distressed neighborhoods.

Ensuring Affordable Housing Choices for All Chattanoogans:

Placed almost 1,000 individuals experiencing homelessness into housing through direct support or investment.
Invested in about a dozen down payments for first-time homeowners through Down Payment Assistance Program.
Created a draft ordinance to update the City’s zoning laws for the first time since the 1960’s.
Establishing a Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) Program to bring more affordable housing units online.
3D-printed tiny homes pilot program with Branch Technology.
Awarded $12.5 million ‘Freedom Homestead’ by Frontline Response to house and support veterans experiencing homelessness.
Prevented evictions for 279 households through the Eviction Prevention and Diversion Initiative.

Improving Local Infrastructure & Public Transit:

Paved nearly 70 lane miles + repaired more than 18,000 potholes, cracks, and divots.
First comprehensive Parks and Outdoors Plan in 25 years adopted by City Council.
Awarded a $500,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to study the feasibility of creating an Amtrak line from Memphis-Nashville-Chattanooga-Atlanta.
Unveiled plans to redesign Montague Park, connecting to Alton Park and Historic South Chattanooga.
Awarded $1.8 million grant to prevent soil pollution in Mountain Creek, a major tributary of the Tennessee River.
Piloting advanced solutions to make our rail crossings safer and easier to navigate.
Collected 30+ tons of plastic recyclables with the Hefty Renew Program.
Treated more than 22 billion gallons of wastewater and cleaned more than 1.5 million feet of sewer lines.
Received the Environmental Stewardship Award from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.

Building a Competitive Regional Economy:

Launched America’s first commercially available Quantum Network.
Attracting more than $2 billion of new investment through South Broad and One Westside projects.
Job growth at twice the pace of the national average and record-low unemployment.

Closing the Gaps in Public Health:

Awarded $6 million urban forestry grant, which will account for 95% of the City’s forestry budget.
Offered WIC Clinics at East Lake Community Center weekly on Tuesdays.
Significant investments into mental health resources and initiatives like the Co-Response Unit in CPD.
Added nursing staff and expanded programs at Community Centers.

Providing Responsive and Effective Government:

Awarded AAA bond rating by S&P and Fitch for the third consecutive year.
Recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for excellence in financial reporting.
Announced waste-to-energy system to convert city’s wastewater into renewable energy.
Property crime rates down by double digits and an 80% clearance rate, roughly 30% higher than the national average.
Improved 311 request completion times and reduced 311 wait times.
Secured more than $61 million in direct and pass-thru federal funding to supplement City operations and initiatives.

Doubled the number of neighborhood associations compared to 2022. These organizations are a critical component of healthy neighborhoods, and we’ve been working hard to return to pre-Covid participation.

Dr. Artanya Wesley appointed UTC Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

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January 6, 2024

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Dr. Artanya Wesley appointed UTC Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chancellor Steven R. Angle has appointed Dr. Artanya Wesley as the University’s next vice chancellor of enrollment management and student affairs.

Wesley, who will assume her new duties on Feb. 5, 2024, comes to UTC from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she has served as vice chancellor for student affairs since 2019. She was selected after a highly competitive national search prompted by the departure of Dr. Yancy Freeman, who accepted the chancellor position at UT Martin.

“Dr. Wesley rose to the top of a highly competitive national search and is the ideal candidate to direct UTC in this crucial position, bringing a wealth of experience, insight and relational resources to our campus,” Angle said. “She will challenge and inspire us to continue transforming and growing our student-focused campus culture and dramatically expand engagement within our campus community.

“Her career in higher education has given her knowledge and expertise in strategic enrollment management, and growth will be key as we work towards our 2030 strategic plan. She also possesses experience in strategic planning and financial management. Her skills and attributes align with our mission of developing a Mocs experience where students, staff and faculty are positioned for success and thrive.”

In her role at UW-Whitewater, a comprehensive four-year public institution, Wesley led efforts in creating, implementing, and assessing co-curricular educational experiences for all students. Her responsibilities included supervising 200 academic and university staff, 574 student employees, and department oversight of numerous divisions, including the Office of Student Affairs, Dean of Students Office, Center for Students with Disabilities, University Counseling Services, University Health Services, University Center, Dining Services, Veteran Services, Career Services, University Housing and Residence Life, Children Center, Student Activity and Involvement, Greek Life, Pride Center and the Center for Inclusive Education and Employment.

“When I looked at the mission and the values of UTC, it really spoke to my ‘why,’” Wesley said. “When I think about the work we do every day supporting student success and why I stepped into higher education, Chattanooga’s mission and values speak to the understanding that professionals in higher education institutions exist because of the students. We have the opportunity to change students’ lives, to help them thrive, to help them identify their interests and passions to achieve their goals and to seek out their dreams. To have an opportunity to be a part of that every day, that’s why I do this work. “When I had the opportunity to interview and engage with every constituency group across campus, it confirmed that this is where I needed to be. I felt connected. I felt motivated. I felt like this was a place where not only could I flourish and add value, but I could learn and grow as well.

Veterans Center Conducts Successful Food Drive

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January 6, 2024

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Veterans Center Conducts Successful Food Drive

The American Veterans of Post 36, the American Legion #291, and members of the Tri-State Women Veterans #157 were on hand to assist Kevin Baker from the Vet Center with his annual Food Drive on December 21, 2023. Over 40 veterans were assisted during this food drive. Members of the AMVETs #36 also donated hams and turkeys to families in need. Several organizations and individuals from around the city pitched in to make this December 2023 food drive another success. Pictured L to R: Tommy Mitchell, Eric Choice, Carel Tate, Joe Gibson, Renee Chisholm, Henry Slayton, Ted Herndon, Kevin Baker (coordinator), Carla Bell (coordinating assistant).

Howard High School Class of 1955 Celebrates REUNION!

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January 3, 2024

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Howard High School Class of 1955 Celebrates REUNION!

Members of the Howard High School Class of 1955 recently celebrated their 68th reunion. This class was the first class to graduate from the then ‘new’ Howard School on June 3, 1955. That location housed grades 1 through 12.

Along with numerous friends and relatives the group celebrated at Cilla’s, an elegant event place located at Herman’s Restaurant. In addition to local members, various class members traveled from Illinois, New Jersey, and South Carolina.

This reunion program included reminiscing, class history, various speeches, poignant poems, and fun games, as well as playing the fabulous music from the day. The class maintains bridges of love.

The theme for this reunion was “We Came (into this world), We Saw (the results of many life experiences), and We Are Still Enjoying… To GOD Be The Glory!” Precious memories crowned this event.

Howard High School Members of the Class of 1955 at December 2023 Reunion. Seated from left: Noel Dodds; Barbarba Mitchum; Rosa McClure; Mozell Thaxton; Rachel Lindsey; Johnny Holloway; Jewell Cousin; and Ruby White. Standing from left: Olin McCain; William Boston; Grady Hicks; Martin Ribbins; Herbert Dallis; Hollis Williams; Dorris Patton; Geraldine Bettis; and Annie Careathers. (Fred Cousin Photography)

Zetas and Sigmas Join Union Hill Baptist Church for Christmas Toy giveaway

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January 3, 2024

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Hundreds of toys including games, bikes, tricycles, dolls, and sports equipment were donated to help needy families in our community for Christmas. The following organizations Epsilon XI Sigma Chapter Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Gamma Iota Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church collaborated to
spread holiday joy to needy boys, girls, and families in our community.
Hundreds of toys including games, bikes, tricycles, dolls, and sports equipment and more were donated to provide assistance to many underserved families in our community for Christmas and the season.

Projects and volunteers needed for Chattanooga’s 12th Annual MLK Day of Service

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January 3, 2024

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Projects and volunteers needed for Chattanooga’s 12th Annual MLK Day of Service

The City of Chattanooga is seeking service project proposals and volunteers for its annual MLK Day of Service, a day that’s dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and to serving the community. This year’s “day on, not day off,” organized in coordination with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will be held on Jan. 15, 2024 with a kick-off in Maclellan Gym at 8 a.m.

Organizations can register service projects and sign up to volunteer at cha.city/MLK.

“Government is and should be the problem solver of last resort. Initiatives outside of City Hall often leave our community in a better place than the ones written in policy or code,” said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. “If our interest is to live as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived, then we should extend this day far beyond a single day or event, and instead make every day a day of service.”

This is the 12th year the City of Chattanooga, and UTC have organized the MLK Day of Service. Past projects have included neighborhood cleanups, flower- and tree-planting, and school improvement initiatives.

Service projects will begin at 9 a.m. and will be followed by the MLK Day Parade sponsored by the Unity Group. Volunteers are encouraged to gather in Miller Park following the day of service to line-up for the walking parade ending at Olivet Baptist Church at 740 East M.L. King Blvd.

“While Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a day off for many of us, this initiative is meant to transform it into a day on–giving back to the community in the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy,” said Chief Equity Officer Tony Sammons. “Thanks to UTC, Unity Group of Chattanooga, and all of our wonderful partners who have already committed to continuing to burn Dr. King’s light brightly a generation after his death.” For additional information, contact Vanessa A. Jackson at vjackson@chattanooga.gov

CHATTANOOGA ELDER LAW ATTORNEY LAUNCHES “BOOMERTIME” PODCAST

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January 3, 2024

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CHATTANOOGA ELDER LAW ATTORNEY LAUNCHES “BOOMERTIME” PODCAST

PODCAST SEEKS TO SUPPORT SENIORS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS AS FORECASTED AGING STORM KNOWN AS ‘SILVER TSUNAMI’ PREDICTED TO PLACE NEW PRESSURES ON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, ECONOMY AND SENIORS IN GENERAL

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Chattanooga attorney Nancy A. Cogar, Esq. started her career as a radio and television broadcaster more than two decades ago. Today, the elder law and estate planning attorney uses her voice and legal skills to better prepare her clients for the complex issues that come with aging and to also offer comfort and confidence to the rising aging population and their caregivers in Tennessee.

“Boomer Time with Nancy Cogar” is a new weekly podcast featuring Cogar’s wide ranging estate planning and elder law insight, expert interviews, resources and other insights and advice featured in 30-minute weekly episodes. Episodes are available for download on Spotify and coming soon to Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

According to projections by the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2035, there will be more adults over the age of 65 and those numbers are projected to explode with more than ever in American history. By 2060, one in four Americans will be a senior citizen.

This demographic shift – often referred to as the “Silver Tsunami”, is attributed to declining birthrates and longer lifespans, making the United States a lot “grayer” over the next few decades. It is also expected to put more pressure on the economy and health care systems as seniors require more services, including nursing home care and skilled care. This aging of America is also expected to place new pressures on the job market as older highly educated adults retire, it is expected to lead to a brain drain in the country’s skilled labor force like never before.

Given this trend, Cogar, who has worked in the elder law and estate planning arena for more than 10 years, decided it was time to combine her award-winning broadcasting talent and her legal expertise to help listeners learn how they can ride the incoming generational wave and better prepare for what’s ahead.

“This podcast is an open invitation for today’s seniors as well as their caregivers and family members to prepare for this new age of aging care,” says Cogar. “It is a safe space for listeners to hear stories, get helpful tips, and feel supported.”

Unfortunately, it’s generally accepted that more than half of adults have no estate plan, even a basic plan in place.

“I’ve walked this walk, too,” says Cogar. “I have been caregiver to my own parents and I know how tough this can be especially without the right resources and support at your reach.”

At the close of each episode, Cogar invites listeners to visit NancyCogar.com for free elder law resources and articles. “When you’re doing things on your own, the elder law process can be quite difficult to navigate,” she says. “My aim is to help educate and encourage through every stage of the planning process.”

Cogar stresses that even meticulously laid out plans can be undone due to sudden life changes, and that a relationship with an elder law attorney can help resolve blind spots in the planning process.

“An informed decision is the best decision,” she says. “It starts with accepting the fact that we need help, and I’m here to provide just that.”

About Nancy Cogar, Esq.

Nancy Cogar is a graduate of Nashville School of Law and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She also earned her undergraduate degree from Trinity College. She is currently an attorney/partner with Samples, Jennings, Clem, and Fields, PLLC in Chattanooga.

More about Boomer Time with Nancy Cogar

● Listen to the introductory episode and subscribe to the podcast on Spotify:

● Follow Nancy on Facebook:

● Visit NancyCogar.com for more information.

Eight Years in a Row: EPB Named #1 in Customer Satisfaction in the South Among Midsize Utilities by J.D. Power

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December 31, 2023

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Eight Years in a Row: EPB Named #1 in Customer Satisfaction in the South Among Midsize Utilities by J.D. Power

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Dec. 2023) – For the eighth consecutive year, J.D. Power ranked EPB Best in Customer Satisfaction for Residential Electric Service in the South among Midsize Utilities based on their 2023 U.S. Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. Among mid-sized electric utilities in the South region, EPB ranked number one in Overall Customer Satisfaction Index, 71 points higher than the overall industry trend. EPB also outpaced the national average to achieve top ranking among its regional peers in five of six categories:

• Price
• Corporate Citizenship
• Billing and Payment
• Communications
• Customer Care

“Eight years of sustained top service in its region is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects the commitment of EPB’s entire organization to the needs of its customers,” said John Hazen, managing director of utility intelligence at J.D. Power. “Consistent top performers like EPB help advance the positive perception of energy utilities across the country.”

“We’re deeply honored that our customers rate our efforts to serve them so positively,” said EPB President and CEO David Wade. “This recognition reflects the day-to-day efforts of every EPB employee who goes above and beyond to serve our customers. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to work with a group of people who are so dedicated to our mission of enhancing quality of life for our community.”

As part of its effort to continuously improve its services for customers, EPB will continue its focus on enhancing the EPB Energy Mix by building upon its Smart Grid infrastructure which reduced or avoided more than 40 million customer outage minutes last year. In the coming years, EPB will begin work to further strengthen the grid against electrical outages with a $32.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The project will include adding energy storage, transitioning 101 miles of overhead lines to underground lines, and replacing 1,338 power poles to prevent and minimize damage and outages.

As part of its effort to provide world-class customer service through all its customer interactions, EPB offers many customer resources that directly relate to categories assessed by J.D. Power’s Customer Satisfaction Survey:

• Levelized Billing – Levelized Billing calculates monthly bills on a rolling average of customer power usage over the past 12 months. This means bills won’t fluctuate dramatically month to month and customers can budget more effectively knowing approximately how much their electricity bill will cost.

• EPB Energy ProsSM – EPB Energy Pros provide a range of no-cost services to address residential customer questions via phone or through EPB Home Energy CheckupsSM to help customers save on home energy bills.

• Home Uplift – EPB Energy Pros and TVA EnergyRight® work with neighbors in need to provide substantial home energy upgrades at no charge to reduce their energy bills and improve their home air quality.

• United Way of Greater Chattanooga Bridge Fund – EPB and TVA have invested $940,000 in the Bridge Fund that helps address basic needs like food, utility payments and housing.

• Award-winning local support – EPB’s all-local support teams are available 24/7/365 to address customer needs anytime they need help.

EPB was also named a Smart Energy Provider by the American Public Power Association for the third time for its commitment to providing safe, reliable, low-cost and sustainable electric service.

The J.D. Power 2023 Electric Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM evaluates data from 104,000+ interviews covering 149 brands, each of which serve 100,000 or more customers. J.D. Power’s South category for which EPB was named best Midsize Utility includes utilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.