Chattanooga Airport relocating checkpoint
As part of the $28 million expansion and improvements at Chattanooga Airport, the Transportation Security Administration will temporarily relocate its security checkpoint and offer just one screening lane beginning Tuesday and running through Friday, according to a news release.
During this time, the airport is advising passengers to arrive at least two and a half hours prior to departure to ensure a smooth bag check process and to lower the possibility of missing a flight.
Also, the airport is encouraging passengers to check flight information prior to arriving at Lovell Field. Travelers can do so online at ChattAirport.com/flight-status.
Preserve Chattanooga finds revolving fund feasibility
Preserve Chattanooga, with a mission to protect Chattanooga’s architectural heritage, has completed a feasibility study for establishing a historic preservation-focused revolving fund in the city.
Todd Morgan, Preserve Chattanooga’s executive director, said in a news release that a study by Hanbury Preservation Consulting of Raleigh, North Carolina, found a revolving fund meets the four-part test of mission, need, goals and cost awareness. In addition, Mary Ruffin Hanbury, the consulting group’s founding principal, said Preserve Chattanooga’s board and staff combined have the experience and skill sets for leading a successful revolving fund.
According to Preserve Chattanooga, a revolving fund is an active real estate-based program for protecting endangered properties using techniques such as options, purchase and resale, easements and/or tax credits. The historic structures ultimately are returned to the private sector with deed restrictions in place, the release said. Proceeds realized from transactions are recycled to sustain the proactive preservation efforts of the revolving fund effort, which is also known as a historic property redevelopment program.
Morgan said while Chattanooga has worked hard to revitalize its downtown, urban neighborhoods and historic residential districts, an influx of new residents and investment from outside the city is placing more demands on the city’s historic infrastructure.
Sermon-Davis named BlueCross managing director
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has named Michelle Sermon-Davis as managing director and chief learning officer.
In the new role, Sermon-Davis will lead the company’s talent acquisition and organizational development teams, according to a news release. She’ll be responsible for recruitment and career development efforts including the design and implementation of initiatives that help BlueCross employees grow their careers.
“Employee development is foundational to our success at BlueCross,” said Roy Vaughn, senior vice president and chief human resources officer. “We’re excited to welcome Michelle and the innovation and expertise she brings to the great work we’re doing to support our people as they serve our members.”
Before joining BlueCross, Sermon-Davis served as global vice president of organizational development, diversity, equity and inclusion, and corporate communications for CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc. in Nashville. Her previous career experiences include head of learning and development roles at global corporations such as Bath & Body Works in Columbus, Ohio, and Estée Lauder Companies in New York City.
Biden taps new Fed nominees
President Joe Biden has nominated Philip Jefferson, a member of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, to serve as vice chair of the board.
Biden has also chosen Adriana Kugler, a Georgetown University economist, to join the Fed’s board. If confirmed by the Senate, she would become the first Hispanic American on the Fed’s interest-rate-setting committee.
The two nominations arrive as the Fed is grappling with an increasingly fraught economy marked by rising interest rates, still-high inflation and a shaky banking system. The Fed has raised its benchmark interest rate 10 times, to the highest level in 16 years, to combat high inflation. Last week, Chairman Jerome Powell signaled the Fed may pause its rate increases.
Tech hub funding launched with grants
The Commerce Department is launching the application process for cities to receive a total of $500 million in grants to become technology hubs.
The $500 million is part of a $10 billion authorization from last year’s CHIPS and Science Act to stimulate investments in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotech.
It’s an attempt to expand to the entire United States tech investment that’s largely concentrated around Austin, Texas; Boston; New York; San Francisco; and Seattle.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said, “This is about taking these places on the edge of glory to being world leaders.”
The application process for cities to receive the tech hubs grants started Friday.
— Compiled by Mike Pare
