Hamilton County aSchools has approved Centerstone to continue providing school-based mental health services following its recent request for proposal process, extending a partnership that has supported students and families for more than a decade.
More than 30 Centerstone team members will serve schools across the district, offering behavioral health care on campuses. The organization said its staff remains committed to working with parents, teachers and district leaders to help ensure students have the resources they need to learn, grow and thrive.
“We’re honored to be chosen and grateful for the opportunity to continue this work,” Centerstone says, adding that it appreciates the trust placed in the organization by the Hamilton County community and the HCS board of directors.
Centerstone is the largest nonprofit behavioral health organization in the U.S.
Motor Wheel site joins Foundries
Chattanooga’s Foundries District expanded by 4.5 acres Thursday as Perimeter Properties acquired the historic Motor Wheel facility near the future home of the Chattanooga Lookouts. The move incorporates the 1880s-era structure into future phases of development around Erlanger Park.
Perimeter Properties plans to rehabilitate and repurpose the former manufacturing site, continuing its approach at the U.S. Pipe and Wheland Foundry properties. Detailed plans for the Motor Wheel building will be released later.
Motor Wheel, a longtime Chattanooga employer, recently invested tens of millions of dollars into a new, modern facility off Alton Park Boulevard.
Community leaders praised the acquisition as a catalyst for growth. Chattanooga Area Chamber President and CEO Charles Wood called it “a win-win” that supports both Foundries District expansion and Motor Wheel’s continued operations. Motor Wheel General Manager Jeff Bates said he looks forward to seeing the former facility “given new life.” Perimeter Properties partner Andy Stone said the company feels a “profound sense of responsibility” as steward of the site’s history.
Erlanger Park and the broader Foundries District are expected to generate more than $2.3 billion in economic impact and spur $1 billion in investment without raising taxes, according to an independent analysis.
Shallowford Pointe community opens
DGA Residential and community partners celebrated the opening of Shallowford Pointe Nov. 19, marking the debut of a 96-unit affordable housing community in East Chattanooga. Located at 2244 Teton Trail, the development includes 48 two-bedroom and 48 three-bedroom apartments featuring modern finishes, Energy Star certification and washer–dryer connections.
The new complex offers amenities comparable to market-rate housing, including a fitness center, computer room and on-site management. Its location places residents near Shepherd Park, the Chattanooga VA Clinic and Hamilton Place.
DGA President of Development Craig Cobb said the project supports the company’s mission to expand safe, accessible housing options across the Southeast. Mayor Tim Kelly praised the development for utilizing the city’s revamped Payment in Lieu of Taxes program to address Chattanooga’s growing housing needs.
Shallowford Pointe will remain affordable for at least 30 years and includes five fully ADA-accessible units, with two designed for tenants with sight or hearing impairments. The community accepts Project-Based Vouchers and is open to households earning up to 60% of area median income. Interested applicants may inquire through the Chattanooga Housing Authority.
Partners in the project include the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Housing Authority, HUD, THDA, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Walker & Dunlop, Studio A and Doster Construction.
Faith groups tapped for housing program
Chattanooga is partnering with the Maclellan Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and the Generosity Trust to launch Enterprise Community Partners’ Faith-Based Development Initiative, a program that helps houses of worship turn underutilized land into affordable housing and community assets.
“Houses of worship own a significant amount of underutilized land and this untapped resource can help meet our housing needs,” Mayor Tim Kelly says.
Enterprise has helped faith communities create more than 1,900 affordable homes nationwide and has another 8,000 in the pipeline.
Enterprise leaders say the program equips congregations with technical assistance, grants and development partnerships to advance projects that serve their neighborhoods.
“We look forward to walking alongside houses of worship interested in developing affordable homes to serve their communities for generations to come,” says Dr. Christie Cade, Enterprise’s southeast market leader.
The local launch begins with a Clarion Call event Jan. 7 noon-2:30 p.m. at the Downtown Chattanooga Public Library. Following the event, eight congregations will be selected for a three-year cohort offering training, pre-development grants and individualized support.
Community Foundation CEO Maeghan Jones and Generosity Trust President Dr. James Barber said faith communities are well positioned to help expand affordable housing through thoughtful stewardship of their land.
Scenic Storefronts program launches
River City Company, with support from the city of Chattanooga, has launched Scenic Storefronts, a new program aimed at helping small businesses and property owners restore and enhance downtown commercial buildings.
The initiative offers reimbursable one-to-one matching grants for improvements such as signage, lighting, murals and patio spaces. Grant amounts vary by location, ranging from up to $125,000 for businesses on Market and Broad Streets to $15,000 for projects elsewhere within River City Company’s footprint.
Mayor Tim Kelly said the program will boost both existing businesses and future retail investment by improving the look and feel of downtown. River City Company Senior Director of Economic Development Sarah Mattson said the effort can “bring dramatic change” to the downtown experience by reducing barriers that discourage businesses from leasing space.
Applications are open on a rolling basis and will be reviewed by a committee of local design experts. More details are available at scenicstorefronts.com.
UTC expanding rural heart care
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Health to improve cardiovascular care for older adults in rural Southeast Tennessee.
The new initiative – Connecting Community Partners: Breaking Down Barriers to Heart Health – builds on UTC’s MobileMOC medical outreach clinic by linking senior centers, local providers and community resources to help older adults monitor their blood pressure and learn practical steps to maintain heart health.
Led by Dr. Kristi Wick and Dr. Meagan Oslund, the project supports the state’s cardiovascular health priorities by addressing barriers to care and improving access to prevention and follow-up services. Starting in January 2026, blood pressure monitoring kiosks will be installed in senior centers across Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Polk and Rhea counties, with readings tied to a closed-loop referral system for timely evaluation.
Data from each kiosk will connect to MobileMOC’s electronic health records, allowing providers to track outcomes. MobileMOC nurse practitioners will also offer on-site follow-up and monthly heart health programs covering stress, sleep, smoking cessation, nutrition and exercise.
Oslund says the goal is to help older adults take charge of their cardiovascular health.
“Patients are taking their blood pressure, but if it’s high, then what? We want to connect the patient to the right resource for a timely evaluation.”