About The Innovation District

Where Chattanooga’s entrepreneurs, academics, and creatives collide. 

Events Calendar

Discover activities and events in the area.

Resiliency Checklist

Everything you need to prepare your organization for a crisis.

Small Business Supports

Helping small business owners across the region.

The Edney Innovation Center

The front door to the Innovation District of Chattanooga.

Tech Goes Home

Expanding access to technology and teaching digital literacy.

Digital Access Committee

Bringing together partners to close the digital divide, together.

HCS EdConnect

Home internet at no cost to thousands of families.

Connected Communities: Orchard Knob

The OKC leverages the collective support of partner organizations to tackle the whole picture of health and wellness in the historically underserved neighborhood.

Chattamatters

Answering the most basic and most complex questions about life in Chattanooga

EMPACT Program

Preparing residents for the jobs of tomorrow, and today. 

Chattanooga Smart Communities Collaborative

Working together to identify our region’s challenges and create solutions.

Environmental Sensors

Collecting and analyzing air quality data from across our region with US Ignite.

Education (4K Microscope & Lola)

High-tech tools in Hamilton County’s classrooms.

Community Connectivity

Expanding access to the internet in homes and neighborhoods.

Mary Stargel to leave role as Director of Innovation District Programs

Mary-headshot-small

By The Enterprise Center

The Enterprise Center would like to announce the departure of Mary Stargel, the Director of Innovation District Programs. Mary has been an integral part of The Enterprise Center staff for five years. She was part of a small, dedicated team who envisioned, and then created, a vibrant community at the Edney Innovation Center in 2015. Mary also played a key role in building other iconic programs in the Innovation District, including Startup Week, Basecamp, and BINGO’s Market. In 2019, she led the effort to bring International Placemaking Week to Chattanooga, which drew more than 600 people from around the world.

“It’s been an honor to work on behalf of The Enterprise Center, with such incredible partners in Chattanooga over the last several years,” Mary says. “My greatest joy has been getting to meet talented people from around the community, learning about their passions, and working alongside them to make Chattanooga a better place.”

Over the years, Mary has worked to build an inclusive community in Chattanooga, especially for entrepreneurs and creatives. We like to say that the Innovation District of Chattanooga is a place for “thinkers, starters, and doers.” Mary is all three, and her passion and talents will be greatly missed by The Enterprise Center.

Mary will be stepping away from her position on May 8 to pursue other opportunities, but she plans to continue to be an active member of the Chattanooga community. The Enterprise Center is dedicated to continuing Innovation District programming and working to ensure that Chattanooga is a place where people from all backgrounds can connect with the resources they need to succeed.