History
Created in 2002 as an arm of the City of Chattanooga, The Enterprise Center, Inc. was originally formed to house the City’s economic development initiatives, including the HUD-designated Renewal Community federal tax incentive program and the Chattanooga Opportunity Fund small business loan pool. Within a year, these two initiatives garnered more than $21 million in private investment in the City.Due to The Enterprise Center’s success in bringing attention to Chattanooga’s economic potential, it was determined that the organization should capitalize on advanced technology projects for job creation – building on Chattanooga’s location at the center of the hub of the Tennessee Valley Technology Corridor where Oak Ridge National Laboratory, NASA, and Arnold Engineering Development Center are situated in the region.
In 2003, the mission was expanded and The Enterprise Center was chartered as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. At that time, Congressman Zach Wamp and Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey joined then Mayor Bob Corker in support of The Enterprise Center. The three appointed a "blue-ribbon" nine-member board of directors. Today, The Enterprise Center enjoys strong support from local political leaders. Since becoming Mayor in 2005, Ron Littlefield has tasked The Enterprise Center with several new projects and assignments.
Today, The Enterprise Center manages a number of technology-based projects and supports community revitalization, entrepreneurship, economic development, and technology transfer through its programs.
For more information, contact:
Nancy Tucker