Focus areas

• TIF + PILOT funds | 100% of future tax dollars generated by TIFs (Tax Increment Financing) and PILOTs (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) will go to school infrastructure + a committee will be formed to prioritize where funds should go. Note: The committee members will be Mayor Wamp, Superintendent Dr. Robertson, chairs of the county commission and school board, and Hamilton County’s CFO.
• Reuse models | Maximize funding by using innovative and adaptive models — the task force advises renovating existing county-owned sites when feasible, developing public-private partnerships + community funding, and limiting use of public money.
• Athletics | Investing in upgrades with the help of local company partnerships (see: recent $2 million donation from U.S. Xpress).

Recommendations

• Expanding Eastside and Eastlake Elementary + Thrasher Elementary School
• Replacing Soddy-Daisy Middle School
• Reinvesting in Brainerd High School
• Renovating Gateway into a flagship campus featuring CTE, schools in Lookout Valley + the former Cigna campus into East Brainerd Elementary
• Creating an all-new elementary school in Hixson

Next steps

• Gather community feedback on the report over the next two months (concerns, questions, ideas + input) — stay tuned for announcements on community meetings and other ways to submit feedback
• Release a funding plan in the upcoming fall to tackle the proposed goals in years 1-3
• Work collaboratively with the Hamilton County Commission + school board before the finalization of the plan and funds

• Monday Night Blues Jam | Monday, Aug. 21 | 8-10 p.m. | Gate 11 Distillery, 1400 Market St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Spend your evening listening to blues tunes from Robin Baker Blues Band.

• Silver Adventures: Historical Walk on Sherman’s Ridge | Tuesday, Aug. 22 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St., Chattanooga | Free, RSVP | Explore the 50-acre reservation guided by a local historian for Older Adults Month — transportation will be provided from the center to the trailhead.
• Jimi & Janis: A Liquid Light Show Experience | Tuesday, Aug. 22 | 5 p.m. | Smith Planetarium, 409 Pond Springs School Rd., Chattanooga | $5 | Be captivated by different psychedelic visuals set to the music of two 60s icons.

• Greg Koch | Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 7 p.m. | Songbirds, 35 Station St., Chattanooga | $17-$20 | See Greg Koch, a “guitar player’s guitarist” + the Koch Marshall Trio as they play tunes from their genre-hopping new album.

• Fall Gardening | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Crabtree Farms, 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga | $25 | Discuss preparing the garden, planting + draw a planting plan to take home for your own garden.

No. 3: San Francisco

• Last year, the Going team found 89 flight deals here.
• Fun fact: San Francisco International Airport has direct flights from 88 US cities.

No. 2: Los Angeles

• Going finds ~10 deals per month to LA — like Chicago to LA for $138 roundtrip.

• Hamilton County will host a community meeting today, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Sale Creek Fire Hall (14828 Dayton Pk.) to discuss future growth in the area. Residents from the unincorporated areas of Soddy Daisy + Sale Creek are encouraged to provide feedback. (WDEF)

• A grand opening for the Barks and Tails Dog Park will be on Friday, Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. Chattanooga’s newest space for the pups is located at Enterprise South Nature Park (190 Still Hollow Loop).

• There will be four different construction projects happening in the downtown area beginning today through Friday, Aug. 25. The intersection at Georgia Avenue + E. MLK Boulevard, Oak Street, Lindsay Street, and E. 7th Street will be affected. See all road closures.

• The United Way of Greater Chattanooga will offer nonprofits looking to start their own program an opportunity to join the CO.STARTERS Bootcamp. In this two-day intensive program (offered in September + October) organizations will learn how to design a program or service. Learn more.

• WesBanco Inc., a West Virginia-based bank holding company, has expanded to Chattanooga. CEO Jeff Jackson (former Chattanooga market president for First Tennessee + First Horizon Bank) recently opened a loan production office in NorthShore at 325 Cherokee Blvd. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

• The TVA Board of Directors will host a public listening session from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Those wishing to share their thoughts with the board must sign up for the session by 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

• The Neighborhood Environmental College, a new series highlighting environmental issues + how to choose eco-friendlier options, will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 24. The events will take place at the South Chattanooga Community Center and are open to everyone. RSVP for free.

• Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area will host a job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24 at its store at 7601 East Brainerd Rd. Walk-ins are welcome, but participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling 423-629-2501 ext. 3090. (Chattanoogan.com)

• The English premiere of local filmmaker Pablo Mazariego’s documentary “Un Nuevo Pasado” will be on Friday, Sept. 15 at Reflection Riding. Along with the film, enjoy live music, a Guatemalan culinary experience + tours of the center’s blooming lower meadows. Get your tickets.

• ChattState is growing. The State approved a $20 million project to expand its Rhea County campus that will provide a new site for the college’s academic programs. ChattState also received $10.2 million in funding for improvements to its TCAT + automotive buildings. See why this is good for NOOGA.*

• Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*