Hamilton County recorded more than $511.7 million in property sales during June 2026, the monthly sales and mortgages report released by Register of Deeds Marc Gravitt reveals. The office also recorded more than $574.7 million in mortgage activity during the month.
The report shows the Register’s Office collected $1.89 million in state conveyance tax on property sales and $655,767.89 in mortgage tax on recorded loans. During the month, the office recorded 5,603 documents, including 1,445 deeds and 1,460 deeds of trust.
The largest recorded transaction in June was valued at $25.5 million, followed by a $22 million sale. Both transactions involved Parcel 154 009. The third-largest transaction totaled $10.225 million. The largest sale with a listed street address was an $8.47 million transaction at 4126 Caine Lane in Chattanooga.
EPB launches 5-gig fiber-optic service
EPB has launched 5-gigabit fiber-optic internet service throughout its service area, expanding its lineup of residential internet speeds ranging from 300 megabits per second to 25 gigabits per second.
The utility said the new tier offers symmetrical upload and download speeds to support households with multiple connected devices, remote work, streaming and gaming.
The new plan costs $97.99 per month. EPB also updated pricing across its internet offerings, with service starting at $57.99 per month for 300 megabits per second.
The company said it has not increased residential internet prices since launching EPB Fi-Speed service in 2009 and continues to offer community-wide fiber optic internet throughout its service area.
BlueHorizon expands degree pathway
Chattanooga State Community College, East Tennessee State University and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee have signed a new articulation agreement creating a seamless four-year education pathway for students in the BlueHorizon registered apprenticeship program.
The agreement allows apprentices, who earn an associate degree in health sciences while working in paid customer service roles at BlueCross, to transfer to ETSU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in professional development.
Officials say the partnership expands affordable education and career opportunities by combining paid work experience with continued academic advancement.
BlueHorizon will begin recruiting its second cohort in August 2026, with classes starting in January 2027.
State launches Workforce Pell
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development have launched the federal Workforce Pell program, expanding Pell Grant eligibility to approved short-term workforce training programs beginning July 1.
The initiative allows eligible students to use federal financial aid for qualifying training programs that prepare them for in-demand, high-skill and high-wage careers.
Higher education institutions may now apply for state approval of eligible programs, which must also receive final approval from the U.S. Department of Education before students can access Workforce Pell funding.
Approved programs will be posted on the state’s Workforce Pell website as they become available.