Mayoral Summit Addresses Economic Inclusion and Sustainable Development in Chattanooga

A report on the “Level Up” summit hosted by Chattanooga Business Elite, where Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp addressed local Black business owners. The discussion centered on strategies to foster inclusive economic growth and reduce inequalities in light of a new state law ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates. The mayors affirmed their commitment to a unified local economy, aligning their future policies with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Strategic Pivot to Access and Opportunity

Maintaining Commitment to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Both administrations are shifting their language from “diversity, equity, and inclusion” to “access and opportunity” to navigate the new legal landscape while continuing to address historical economic disparities. Mayor Kelly stated that while the terminology has changed, “the work itself will not change,” ensuring that programs remain useful for historically disadvantaged groups. This strategic pivot aims to uphold the principles of SDG 10 by ensuring equal opportunity and reducing economic gaps between different segments of the population.

Addressing Community Concerns

Event organizer Shay McCowan of Chattanooga Business Elite expressed that the dismantling of DEI efforts is a source of concern for local Black businesses. While appreciative of the dialogue, she noted that “more seats at the table must be filled by Black business owners” and that significant work remains. This highlights the importance of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by emphasizing the need for inclusive and representative decision-making processes.

Initiatives for Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The mayors outlined several initiatives aimed at promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, directly contributing to SDG 8.

Enhancing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

To foster entrepreneurship and support small enterprises, the city and county are undertaking several key projects:

• Small Business Development Center: Hamilton County has approved over $5 million to renovate the publicly owned center, ensuring it serves as a “force for good” for entrepreneurs who have faced barriers.
• New Entrepreneurial Center: A new center focused on the creative economy will open in the city-owned Kelly building on M.L. King Boulevard.
• Procurement Reform: The county has adjusted its procurement rules to be more small-business friendly. The city is developing a scoring matrix to prioritize local businesses, aiming to recirculate local dollars and withstand legal challenges.

Investing in Human Capital and Infrastructure (SDG 4 & SDG 9)

A significant portion of the discussion focused on foundational investments in education and infrastructure, which are critical for long-term sustainable development.

Workforce Development and Quality Education (SDG 4)

In alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education), Mayor Wamp emphasized workforce development as a primary tool for creating economic opportunity. Key programs include:

1. The Construction Career Center, which provides career pathways for students from Howard, Brainerd, and East Ridge high schools.
2. A future workforce development center planned for the former BlueCross BlueShield building, purchased by the county.
3. Investment in renovating schools such as Tyner Academy to improve educational outcomes and career readiness.

Building Infrastructure for Innovation (SDG 9)

The development of physical spaces for business incubation and support contributes to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The renovated Small Business Development Center and the new Kelly building entrepreneurial center are designed to provide a “resource-rich environment” and serve as a “front door for entrepreneurship” in the community.

Conclusion: A Partnership for Sustainable Progress (SDG 17)

The summit exemplified SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), creating a platform for dialogue between government leadership and the local business community. While the administrations are adapting their strategies, their stated goals remain focused on closing economic gaps (SDG 10) and building a resilient, inclusive local economy through targeted investments in entrepreneurship (SDG 8), education (SDG 4), and infrastructure (SDG 9).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article’s central theme is the support for local Black-owned small businesses, entrepreneurship, and economic mobility. This directly aligns with promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Mayor Kelly’s goal to foster an “ecosystem… very much focused on economic mobility” and Mayor Wamp’s focus on workforce development and small business support are prime examples.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The discussion is framed around addressing the economic disparities faced by a “historically very disadvantaged” group. Mayor Kelly explicitly states a core goal is “to close the gaps between white and Black Chattanoogans,” which is the essence of SDG 10. The efforts to ensure “access and opportunity” despite the dismantling of DEI policies aim to reduce inequalities of outcome.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

• The article details significant government investment in physical infrastructure to support businesses. This includes renovating the “Small Business Development Center,” purchasing a building for a “workforce development center,” and opening a “new entrepreneurial center.” These actions support innovation and increase small enterprises’ access to resources.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The emphasis on “workforce development programs” like those at the Construction Career Center connects directly to providing relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship. Mayor Wamp highlights that these programs create “career pathways and career opportunities that simply did not exist over the last couple decades” for students, which is a key component of quality education for future employment.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The focus on strengthening the local economy through targeted support for community businesses aligns with making cities more inclusive and sustainable. Mayor Kelly’s plan to “bolster small business corridors” and create a “scoring matrix that values local businesses recirculating local dollars” are strategies for sustainable local economic planning.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.
   • This is identified through the numerous initiatives mentioned, such as creating a “new entrepreneurial center,” renovating the “Small Business Development Center,” changing procurement rules to be “small-business friendly,” and focusing on small business entrepreneurs.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of race, ethnicity, or other status.
   • This target is central to the mayors’ stated goals. Despite the end of DEI, they aim to provide “access and opportunity” for a “group of people that’s historically been disadvantaged and boxed out,” thereby promoting economic inclusion.
2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome.
   • This is evident in Mayor Kelly’s statement that “the work itself will not change” and his administration’s goal “to close the gaps between white and Black Chattanoogans.” The search for new policies to support these businesses is a direct attempt to ensure equal opportunity.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services and their integration into value chains and markets.
   • This is addressed by the county approving “$5 million to be spent on renovating the county-owned Small Business Development Center” and changing procurement rules to help Black businesses “secure contracts.”

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • This is reflected in the focus on workforce development programs at the “Construction Career Center” and the planned “downtown workforce development center,” which are designed to provide students with “career pathways and career opportunities.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
   • This is implied in the city’s plan to create a “scoring matrix that values local businesses recirculating local dollars,” which strengthens the local economy and community links through regional development planning.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 8 & 9: Decent Work, Economic Growth, and Infrastructure

1. Investment in business support infrastructure: The article explicitly mentions the county approved “more than $5 million to be spent on renovating the county-owned Small Business Development Center.” This financial figure is a direct indicator of investment.
2. Number of business support centers: The creation of a “new entrepreneurial center” and a new “workforce development center” can be counted as indicators of progress.
3. Number of small businesses securing government contracts: This is an implied indicator from the discussion about changing “procurement rules” and creating a “scoring matrix” to help local businesses secure contracts.
4. Business survival/closure rate: An indicator of negative progress is mentioned by Shay McCowan, who notes that “Three businesses in the collective have had to close recently,” suggesting this is a key metric to track.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Economic gap between racial groups: The goal “to close the gaps between white and Black Chattanoogans” implies that a key indicator would be the measurement of this economic gap, likely through income, wealth, or business ownership data.
2. Proportion of resources directed to disadvantaged communities: Mayor Kelly’s statement that economic development work will “shift focus toward historically disadvantaged communities, which will require resources” implies that tracking the allocation of these resources is a relevant indicator.

SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Number of students in vocational training programs: The mention of students who “have an opportunity to spend a half a day here” at the Construction Career Center implies that the number of participants in such workforce development programs is a key metric.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesfreepress.com