A Leader in Both the Resurgence of American Manufacturing and One of the Nation’s Best Places to Live.

Chattanooga has been hailed by national media as both a leader in the resurgence of American manufacturing and one of the nation’s best places to live. Over the last 30 years, Chattanooga has transformed itself through an ongoing community quest to be the best mid-sized city in America.

The region’s economy includes major industries such as advanced manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, health care services, insurance, textile production, transportation and logistics services, and food and beverage production. The 30 largest employers include Volkswagen, BlueCross BlueShield, TVA, and Amazon. Together, they employ more than 45,000 people. Chattanooga’s unemployment rate of 2.7%* ranks as the third lowest in Tennessee.

Companies have invested More than $7 Billion over past decade in Chattanooga facilities, boosting the region’s already strong economy. In recent years, the Greater Chattanooga Region has employed the same cooperative spirit to emerge as a hub for advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics.

Since 2008, the Chattanooga MSA has:

• Attracted more than $7 billion in new industrial investment.

• Delivered more than 4,000 trained-to-order advanced manufacturing workers in automotive, logistics, solar chemicals, and other industries.

• Launched the nation’s most advanced and reliable Smart Grid.

• Deployed America’s first community-wide Gigabit Internet.

The Population of the Chattanooga MSA Is Growing and Increased to 569,931 Residents in 2020. The Chattanooga MSA Has Grown 19.4% over the Last 20 Years.

People Are Moving to Chattanooga.

The Chattanooga Metro Area Ranks #4 in the PODS Pandemic Moving Trends Top Cities for Migration.

Published April 13, 2021

Companies Have Invested More than $7 Billion over the Last Ten Years in Chattanooga Facilities; Boosting the Region’s Already Strong Economy 

$7 Billion in Investment over the Last Ten Years 

UT Study: Volkswagen Plant Expansion to add 9,800 jobs to the state economy

The expansion of Volkswagen's Chattanooga manufacturing facility to produce a new midsize sport utility vehicle could add about 9,800 jobs to the Tennessee economy. The expansion includes the opening of a North American Engineering and Planning Center. Volkswagen currently employs 2,400 Tennessee workers. The study shows that Volkswagen's $704 million investment in the plant would:

• Generate $217 million in new income and 5,400 jobs in Tennessee during the construction and development phase

• Be responsible for $373 million in additional annual income once the plant is fully operational

• Increase state and local tax revenue by $35.1 million annually once the plant is fully operational

McKee Foods Expands with $102 Million Investment

Collegedale-based McKee Foods expands with an investment of $102 million creating about 50 new jobs over the next five years. This expansion includes new equipment for manufacturing and a new on site state-of-the-art conference center and office building.

Enplanements

Chattanooga Airport Terminal Expansion

Work to start early this year on the biggest expansion to the passenger terminal in more than three decades.

Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority

1001 Airport Road, Suite 14

Chattanooga, TN 37421

423-855-2234