Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Industrial Development Board (IDB) of Chattanooga met on November 2, 2026, to approve several resolutions, receive the annual tax increment financing (TIF) report, discuss sunsetting old programs, and explore new staffing arrangements for the board. The board approved the previous meeting's minutes, welcomed new member Brad Schumpert, and heard no public comments.
Commercial Corridor Revitalization Grant (Wheelhouse Construction): The board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a grant not to exceed $25,000 for exterior facade improvements, awnings, and signage at 5000 Rossville Boulevard (the Loom House project). Heidi Hefferlin of Wheelhouse Construction stated the project represents an investment of over $1 million and is projected to support 18 or more jobs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Pilot Property Transfer: The board unanimously approved the execution of a quit claim deed to transfer property back to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee following the completion of its payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement. The PILOT supported a $2.092 billion corporate campus investment on Cameron Hill and retained or created 3,500 to 4,500 jobs, with average annual salaries ranging from $65,000 to exceeding $110,000. The property will return to the tax roll following the abatement period ending in 2025.
Airison Withdrawal from Bend TIFF District CCNRs: The board approved a resolution authorizing Airison to withdraw from the fees provision of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCNRs) within the Bend TIFF district, subject to review and approval of final description language by the IDB's attorneys. The resolution ensures that an undeveloped L-shaped parcel at West Main Street and Riverfront Parkway remains subject to the district’s design guidelines. Master developer attorney Bill Wharton stated Airison was primarily seeking relief from Common Area Maintenance (CAM) fees. Board member Maria expressed concern about voting without finalized legal language but supported the protective conditions. The motion passed 5-1-1.
Annual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Report: Sharita Allen of the City’s Economic and Workforce Development department presented the annual required report on the city’s eight active TIF districts. Key updates included the $9 million Lookout Mountain TIF ($6.6 million in increment paid), the $9.9 million North River Commerce Center TIF (bonds recently issued), the $115 million Ben District TIF (no increment paid yet), and the $8.7 million Northgate Mall TIF ($52,000 in property tax and $540,000 in sales tax collected). Allen noted the city-backed South Broad TIF is behind schedule and advised against future city-backed TIFs without dedicated real estate staff to manage the development. The board discussed the potential for policy changes to allow for smaller-scale TIF projects.
Sunset of IDB Program Accounts & Fund Transfer: Sharita Allen presented a proposal to sunset three inactive or underperforming grant programs—Tech Workforce, Construction Mitigation, and Innovation Grant—due to lack of use or restrictive design. The board subsequently approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of the remaining $11,000 balance from the Construction Mitigation account (R15) to the Registered Apprenticeship Employer Incentive Funds account (R37) to support workforce development and upskilling.
IDB Staffing Proposal from the Chamber of Commerce: Charles Wood of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce presented a discussion item proposing a contracted staff position for the IDB, modeled after structures in Knoxville and Cleveland. The position would be housed at the Chamber and provide administrative, compliance, and strategic planning support. Wood stated the IDB was “a Ferrari that doesn’t get out of second gear” and the goal was to more fully leverage its authority. Board members raised questions regarding accountability, reporting structure, and alternatives to the Chamber housing the position. The consensus was to place the item on the December agenda for formal discussion, with Charles Wood to provide a draft job description and framework.
FYI: C Logic / Volkswagen Lien: The board was informed that a lien filed against the IDB related to a lease on the Volkswagen property had been released, resolving the issue.
Yeah, there are a lot of people. We will start. The November Industrial Development Board meeting. You have those minutes in your packet. I will entertain a motion. Thank you. Thank you. All those in favor? Any opposed. The minutes pass. We will recognize anyone wishing to address the board at this time. Anybody here wishing to address the board? Okay. Before we get into our agenda items, I would like to welcome Brad Schumpert to the board. This is his first meeting. Thank you, Brad, for being here, and welcome. We'll give you a few minutes to introduce yourself if you would like. Sure, my name is Brad Schumper. Um, as an attorney and practiced uh property law for about uh 15 years and currently work in finance at uh Regents Bank and my wife and I moved here back to her hometown about 12 years ago, and I've adopted it as my hometown. And I'm excited to try to use that uh background and experience to uh do my best to help Chattanooga uh have well thought out development and uh respect the taxpayers and uh proud to be part of this board. Thank you, Brad. We are excited to have you. We're gonna switch around the agenda items if that's okay with everyone, um, board members here and move to our resolutions first and then come back to the presentations if that's okay. So we'll move to our first resolution, which is number seven on your agenda, and it's the resolution authorizing the chair or vice chair to execute a commercial a commercial corridor revitalization grant agreement with Wheelhouse Construction LLC for exterior facet improvements awning building signage for the property located at 5000 Rossville Boulevard. The tax mach number is 1680 C 013 for an amount not to exceed 25,000. We can speak to them. Thank you. Well, good morning, board. Pleasure to be here. Winston Brooks, Director of Economic Development Entrepreneurship. Here to discuss our first commercial corridor revitalization grant that was approved uh last month. So this is an exciting program, and I'm excited to uh introduce you. Got a full report, uh detailed report about the project of 5000 Rossville Boulevard. As a reminder, uh the goal of the commercial revitalization grant program is to assist and incentivize the enhancement of commercial properties and storefronts in Chattanooga's commercial corridors and stabilized neighborhoods. These grants are intended to cover part of the cost of permanent improvements that enhance building aesthetics and activate the public realm by assisting businesses to achieve higher quality storefronts and attract customers and improve neighborhood perceptions. So this uh particular location at 5000 Rollsville Boulevard really fits the spirit of this program. There's uh incredible momentum in uh the bring back the boulevard uh organization there. It's uh got incredible community support through that program, and it's uh right in the heart of uh Rosswell Boulevard at 5000 Rosswell Boulevard, which is uh known as the Loom House. And um I want to thank um Heidi Hefferlin, who is the applicant. She will um be here just a second to tell you a little bit more about it, but also want to thank uh Emma Lynn Porter, our colleague at Southeast Tennessee Development District that is helping administer these applications and then seeing through that the work is completed on the back end. So, um, without me talking anymore, I want to bring up Heidi to talk about this exciting project helping to redevelop Mostworth Boulevard. Thank you. And