Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, will headline the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 2026 Burkett Miller Distinguished Lecture Series Thursday, Feb. 26. His talk, “How Free Enterprise, Not Government, Made America Great,” will take place 5-6 p.m. in the Hayes Concert Hall at the UTC Fine Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.
Hosted by UTC’s Scott L. Probasco Distinguished Chair of Free Enterprise in partnership with Young America’s Foundation, the lecture will examine the tenets of economic freedom through the stories of influential American entrepreneurs. A live Q&A moderated by Dr. Claudia Williamson Kramer, Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise, will follow.
Forbes, a nationally recognized economic commentator and two-time presidential candidate, writes the long-running “Fact and Comment” column and has earned the Crystal Owl Award four times for the accuracy of his economic forecasts. His recent projects include the public television documentary “In Money We Trust?” and the podcast “What’s Ahead,” where he interviews global newsmakers and shares his views on economics and public policy. He’s also the author of several books, including “Reviving America.”
The event announcement follows this month’s “Navigating Tariffs” panel co-hosted by UTC and the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s International Business Council.
Market Street Partners name being retired
Smith + Howard will officially sunset the Market Street Partners name in February, completing the Chattanooga firm’s transition following its 2023 acquisition.
Since joining Smith + Howard, the Chattanooga office has continued using its original name while gradually aligning its branding, communications and services with the larger firm. The final phase of the change marks the full integration of the two teams and consolidates all operations under the Smith + Howard banner.
Over the past two years, both groups have worked together to introduce the unified brand to clients, partners and the Chattanooga community in a measured, transparent way.
Smith + Howard will continue operating from its downtown Chattanooga office, offering expanded resources alongside the personalized client services.
Smith + Howard is a nationally recognized accounting and advisory firm serving a wide range of industries, from construction and manufacturing to nonprofit and technology.
Its services include audit, tax, international tax, cyber risk compliance and R&D credits.
Land Bank breaks ground on Oakland Avenue
The Chattanooga Land Bank Authority has broken ground on its first affordable home, a significant step forward in its work to expand access to homeownership across the city. The new house on Oakland Avenue in Alton Park is being developed in partnership with Wind River Built, which received the lot as a donation under the Land Bank’s affordable housing program.
Mayor Tim Kelly said the milestone demonstrates the Land Bank’s mission taking shape.
Wind River Built, a Tennessee-based modular homebuilder, relies on off-site construction to shorten timelines and reduce costs. The two-bedroom house, intended for a first-time buyer, will be priced at $200,000 – a figure increasingly difficult to reach as construction and land expenses climb.
More projects are expected soon. The Land Bank opened a competitive application process Nov. 17 to release six additional properties for affordable homeownership development. Eligible nonprofits and private developers will be able to apply through the Land Bank’s website.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy between the Land Bank and the City of Chattanooga to convert vacant, foreclosed and city-owned parcels into affordable homes – a key recommendation from the 2023 Chattanooga Housing Action Plan.
The program aims to create for-sale homes affordable to buyers earning up to 100% of area median income and rental units affordable to households earning up to 80% of AMI, while reducing blight and preserving affordability in neighborhoods experiencing new investment.
Developers interested in future opportunities must meet all requirements outlined in the Land Bank’s Request for Proposals process, remain in good standing with the city and Land Bank and be registered as city vendors.
Affordability rules include price caps of $200,000 for for-sale homes, long-term affordability periods of at least 15 years for owner-occupied units and 10 years for rentals, and a requirement that construction begin within one year of the property transfer.
Local companies to support Erlanger Park
The Chattanooga Lookouts hosted their first public celebration at the upcoming Erlanger Park Friday, highlighting several new fan spaces made possible through partnerships with five local businesses.
Each of the companies that contributed to the ballpark – Coca-Cola, First Bank, Kubota of Chattanooga, Rock City and Unum – will have a named presence within the stadium.
Coca-Cola will lend its name to the Pattern Shop, an event venue that maintains the structure’s original industrial aesthetic.
First Bank will be featured on the home plate club and adjoining seating area.
Kubota of Chattanooga will sponsor the Batter’s Eye Club and Rooftop, which will give visitors sweeping views of Lookout Mountain.
Rock City will shape the atmosphere in the right field bar with activities like cornhole and foosball.
Unum will headline the Unum Suite Level, an upper-floor space that includes 16 suites and nearly 7,500 square feet for gatherings.
Erlanger Park is expected to open to fans in April 2026.