Chattanooga hosts Tennessee Governor’s Conference for 2023

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The Tennessee Governor’s Conference was held in Chattanooga this year. It’s a two-day conference, taking place on Monday and Tuesday this week.

Hundreds of state and local leaders attended on Monday. 

The event kicked off with a conversation with both Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. 

“We are here selling Southeast Tennessee, but Southeast Tennessee sells itself. And there’s a reason that the whole conference is in Chattanooga, which is unusual. This conference normally happens in Nashville, but we are proud to have it here. We get to showcase our downtown and the good stuff that’s going on in Hamilton County,” said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. 

Local leaders talked about economic development and workforce opportunities for the future in Tennessee. 

Mayors Tim Kelly and Weston Wamp primarily focused on the One Westside plan. 

“A lot of the big ideas come out of counties like Hamilton County, the city of Chattanooga. We shared some of the things like the bend that we have worked on together,” said Wamp. “There has been collaboration on affordable housing, as well as career and technical vocational education. I think what the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development wanted to demonstrate was all the good stuff we got going on here.” 

They say it will strengthen the local workforce and sow the seeds to keep Chattanooga growing strong.

“We spent months negotiating a deal that would really serve to enhance the quality of life in our community district. It would strengthen our workforce and revenue to recruit better companies and provide the workforce the companies here will need to grow. The bend is going to be anchored by a canal district and plenty of things around it.  it will enhance quality of life here, it is also going to support housing, and support education,” Wamp concluded.