Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, TN) articles from July 2000

Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, TN) archives from July 2000

New Head of Chattanooga, Tenn., Automotive Group Answers Queries.
July 30, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 30--Dana Robinette, general manager of Herb Adcox Chevrolet, was recently named head of the Chattanooga Automotive Trades Association Inc. As president, he succeeded Lewis Dyer of Marshal Mize Ford. ...

LaFayette, Ga., Rebonded Carpet Padding Manufacturer Expands Business.
July 30, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 30--LAFAYETTE, Ga.--Quality Carpet Cushion here has found its business as a manufacturer of rebonded carpet padding has put it on solid footing for growth. An expansion of the company's plant and employment...

Reader's Digest Poll Finds Spouse Hardest to Buy Gifts For.
July 28, 2000... Jul. 28--PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y.--A spouse is the most difficult person to buy a gift for; a sibling is the easiest, according to a Reader's Digest New Choices survey, which was conducted on the magazine's Web site. In response to the...

Portland, Maine-Based Insurer's Stock Increases 18.52 Percent.
July 28, 2000... Jul. 28--UnumProvident Corp. stock rose $3.75 on Thursday, up 18.52 percent, to close at $24 per share in heavy trading. An analyst for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette upped the brokerage house's recommendation on the stock to a "top pick"...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Jobless Rate May Continue to Increase.
July 28, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 28--Hamilton County's unemployment rate jumped higher in June and could climb even more in coming months with a widening impact from rising interest rates. "Economists argue that when the Fed raises rates, it...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Auto Dealership Relocating in Town.
July 27, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 27--A longtime downtown Chattanooga auto dealership is moving to the Highway 153 area as its owner seeks to reposition the business for future growth. Dodge of Chattanooga, located in downtown's Golden Gateway...

Hair Care Salon, Products Company to Expand in Chattanooga, Tenn., Area.
July 26, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 26--Regis Corp. is ready to embark on the second expansion in its young 30-month history in Chattanooga and it expects to boost its work force by about a third by year's end. "We're growing like crazy," said...

Kohl's Store to Open in New Chattanooga, Tenn., Shopping Center.
July 25, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jul. 25--Kohl's, a family-oriented specialty department store, is entering Chattanooga's competitive retail marketplace as one of three anchor tenants in the new Gunbarrel Pointe shopping center at Igou Gap and...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Native Works for Successful Personal Investment Firm.
July 21, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 21--When Todd Etter graduated from the University of Virginia in 1990, he took a traditional job for a consulting firm in systems programming. But today, the former Chattanoogan is creative director for the...

Tennessee Jobless Rate Unchanged, Remains Near Record Lows.
July 21, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jul. 21--Despite signs of slowing economic growth, Tennessee's jobless rate remained near record lows in June. The state Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday that the state's...

TV Shopping Network Offers Employees Pet Health Insurance.
July 21, 2000... Byline: Mark Albright Jul. 21--Home Shopping Network hopes to take a bite out of the tight employment market by offering a new fringe benefit: a health plan for Fido. In fact, the TV shopping network is offering its 4,000 employees...

Historic Chattanooga, Tenn., Edifice Up For Sale.
July 21, 2000... Byline: Beverly A. Carroll Jul. 21--A McCallie Avenue building first built to tend to the dead and later home to a group caring for the spiritual needs of the business community is looking for a new owner. The Christian Business...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Based Street Paver to Buy Tacoma, Wash.-Based Counterpart.
July 21, 2000... Jul. 21--Astec Industries, which reported a 14 percent jump in second-quarter profits Thursday, is continuing to expand its paving business through other business acquisitions. The Chattanooga-based asphalt equipment maker, which already...

Communications Firm to Put Its Name on Concert Stage in Chattanooga, Tenn.
July 20, 2000... Jul. 20--Another communications company has called the right number to put its name on a well-known community site. The stage at Miller Plaza will be known as the SunCom Stage as of Friday night when the name is unveiled at a Nightfall...

Biggest Chattanooga, Tenn., Hospital to Open Clinic in Northern Suburb.
July 20, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jul. 20--Chattanooga's biggest hospital will expand into northern Hamilton County next month. Erlanger Medical Center trustees agreed Thursday night to contract with a physicians group to staff a 7-day-a-week...

Audit Outlines Tennessee's Failure in Regulation of Fraudulent Insurance Firm.
July 20, 2000... Byline: John Commins Jul. 20--NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- Despite obvious signs over seven years, Tennessee insurance examiners failed to take action against Connecticut financier Martin Frankel before he allegedly plundered more than $200...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Asphalt Equipment Maker Expands Paving Business.
July 20, 2000... Byline: D. Flessner Jul. 20--Astec Industries, which reported a 14 percent jump in second-quarter profits Thursday, is continuing to expand its paving business through other business acquisitions. The Chattanooga-based asphalt...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Trade Center Shows $135,000 Fund Balance.
July 20, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 20--The Trade Center ended the year in the black, while Max Finley Stadium finished in the red, the Carter Street Corp. said Wednesday. The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Convention and Trade Center showed a...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Trucking Firm Reports $139.4 Million in Revenues.
July 20, 2000... Jul. 20--Covenant Transport Inc., a Chattanooga-based trucking company, reported record revenues of $139.4 million in the second quarter, up from $113.2 million a year earlier. Net income, however, dropped 51 percent to $2.9 million in...

Hamilton County, Tenn., Water Utility to Fill Head Position.
July 18, 2000... Jul. 18--Hamilton County's biggest independent water utility is looking for a new leader. Ken Rich, the head of the Hixson Utility District for the past 14 years, is leaving once a replacement is found for the 21,000-customer utility....

Ventilation, Air Conditioning Conglomerate to Close Scottsdale, Ala., Plant.
July 16, 2000... Byline: Holice Smith Jul. 16--SCOTTSBORO, Ala.--McQuay International, a global leader in ventilating and air conditioning equipment, will close its plant here by next May and consolidate its operations near its headquarters in...

Former Janitor Is a Successful Chattanooga, Tenn., Residential Developer.
July 16, 2000... Byline: Beverly A. Carroll Jul. 16--A decade ago Tim Downey was sweeping out the offices of one of Chattanooga's biggest commercial developers. Today, the Chattanooga developer is cleaning up in the residential industry. At age...

Insurance Companies Come to Tennessee Meeting about Managed Care Group.
July 14, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jul. 14--The infusion of more state and federal dollars into TennCare this month is helping to pump up interest in the program by some of the nation's biggest health insurers. During a meeting this week in...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Based Airline Decried for Constant Tardiness.
July 13, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 13--The chief of Atlantic Southeast Airlines was due in Chattanooga on Thursday for a meeting with airport officials to discuss the carrier's spotty on-time performance. But the meeting was delayed when the ASA...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Residents Hear Plan for Better Jobs, Economic Growth.
July 13, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 13--Chattanoogans saw a glimpse of their future Wednesday as a partial plan was offered to help grow the region's 21st century economy and create more and better jobs. "The train has left the station and now...

Tennessee Bike Shop Owner, Rocket Engineer Team to Create 21st-Century Bike.
July 13, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 13-- A local bike shop owner has joined a former rocket engineer in Huntsville, Ala., in designing and building two new bicycles they hope will get on the road to success. Bike architects Mike Skiles of...

State Investment in Tennessee Health Firm Increases Company's Stature.
July 13, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jul. 13--The infusion of more state and federal dollars into TennCare this month is helping to pump up interest in the program by some of the nation's biggest health insurers. During a meeting this week in...

Lafayette, Ga.-Area Merchants Hope New Wal-Mart Doesn't Hurt Their Business.
July 13, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 13--LAFAYETTE, Ga.--Although a new Wal-Mart Supercenter now under construction here is still months away from completion, other stores are hopeful the new competitor, set for a November entry, won't hurt their...

Blimpie Founder Visits Chattanooga, Tenn., to Promote New Book.
July 12, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 12--While competitive pressures are slowing his sandwich chain's opening of new units, the founder of Blimpie International brought a big order of optimism here on Tuesday. "I want to let people know they...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Grocers Discuss Heinz Co.'s Plan to Sell Green Ketchup.
July 12, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 12--If Pokemon cereal can sell, why not green ketchup? That's the thinking of one grocery store operator about the prospects for H.J. Heinz Co.'s plans to introduce green ketchup to the marketplace. "It's...

Heinz Hopes to Capture Kids' Hearts with Green Ketchup.
July 12, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 12--If Pokemon cereal can sell, why not green ketchup? That's the thinking of one grocery store operator about the prospects for H.J. Heinz Co.'s plans to introduce green ketchup to the marketplace. "It's...

Sandwich Chain Founder Visits Chattanooga, Tenn., to Discuss Business, Book.
July 12, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 12--While competitive pressures are slowing his sandwich chain's opening of new units, the founder of Blimpie International brought a big order of optimism here on Tuesday. "I want to let people know they...

Auto Sales Slump in Hamilton County, Tenn., Blamed on Loan Rates, Gas Prices.
July 11, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jul. 11--Higher interest rates and gasoline prices locally have slowed new vehicle sales in Hamilton County during the first half of this year. Sales of new cars, pickups and suburban utility vehicles were...

Chattanooga Times/Free Press Business People Column.
July 11, 2000... Jul. 11--R.A. "Al" Duke, the president and chief operating officer of SunTrust Bank in Chattanooga, is leaving the city's biggest bank in August to pursue a new business venture. Mr. Duke, a Harvard University graduate who joined what was...

Developer's Plans for Headquarters Opposed in Chattanooga, Tenn.
July 11, 2000... Byline: Beverly A. Carroll Jul. 11--Nearly two dozen residents argued Monday against plans by CBL & Associates to build a new headquarters in the shadow of Hamilton Place Mall, the developer's flagship retail center. The...

Tennessee Auto Parts Supplier Succeeds through Chattanooga Business Incubator.
July 9, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 9--Before Racemark International Inc. moved into a new 20,000-square-foot building near here earlier this year, the auto parts supplier made its home at a business incubator at the Shirley Smith Learning...

Boise, Idaho-Based Grocery Chain to Close Chattanooga, Tenn., Stores.
July 9, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jul. 9--Two years after entering the Chattanooga market, Albertson's Inc. is checking out of the Chattanooga grocery market. Albertson's will close its four area supermarkets in early August. The closings, which...

Tennessee Bankers See Auspicious Start to Locally-Owned Chattanooga Bank.
July 8, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jul. 8--Kenny Dyer isn't sporting any coonskin cap these days. But the Chattanooga banker hasn't strayed far from his Pioneer Bank roots. The Pioneer name and emblem were supplanted last year when...

Northwest Airlink to Increase Jet Service between Chattanooga, Memphis, Tenn.
July 7, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 7--Northwest Airlink will begin offering regional jet service on half of its flights between here and Memphis on Oct. 1. During a Thursday press conference, airline and city officials said the airline and...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Developer's Office, Retail Plans Face Criticism.
July 7, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 7--CBL & Associates Properties Inc. wants to put a new office and retail center adjacent to its Hamilton Place mall, but some nearby homeowners are balking at the plan. "We're very much concerned this area will...

Memphis, Tenn.-Based Computer Service Provider Buys Chattanooga Company.
July 6, 2000... Jul. 6--Freeliance.com, a Memphis-based computer applications service provider, has purchased Stone Fort Technologies, LLC, in Chattanooga. Stone Fort Technologies, located in the Tallan Building, will be a branch hub of Freeliant.com...

Memphis, Tenn.-Based Computer Service Company Buys Chattanooga Firm.
July 6, 2000... Jul. 6--Freeliance.com, a Memphis-based computer applications service provider, has purchased Stone Fort Technologies, LLC, in Chattanooga. Stone Fort Technologies, located in the Tallan Building, will be a branch hub of Freeliant.com...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Couple Helps Company Start Crime Clean-Up Service.
July 6, 2000... Byline: Duane W. Gang Jul. 6--When Christy Lewis' cousin died a year and a half ago, she searched for someone to help her deal with some of the more unpleasant aspects of her loss. Mrs. Lewis looked for a company that specialized in...

Rossville, Tenn., Automotive Parts, Communications Center Expands.
July 4, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 4--Show car and street rod magazines now have a little competition since Doc's Performance Center revved up business at 702-A Chickamauga Ave. in Rossville. Its owner, Doc Barrett, said his new...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Real Estate Group Buys Former Bank Headquarters.
July 4, 2000... Byline: Beverly A. Carroll Jul. 4--A real estate group which includes the former chairman of Pioneer Bank bought the former bank's headquarters and adjacent office building and parking garage downtown. AmSouth Bank, which acquired...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Cable Company Lowers Rates.
July 4, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jul. 4--Chattanooga's cable TV system is cutting the charge for viewing some of its most popular channel offerings to help compete with satellite service plans. But for most cable subscribers, monthly rates for...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Eye Doctor to Retire after 44 Years in Practice.
July 4, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jul. 4--After 44 years ophthalmologist Dr. Lawrence Lassiter is calling it quits. It wasn't an easy decision. But last April, after being diagnosed with lymphoma, Dr. Lassiter decided to turn his...

Tennessee Metropolitan Areas Out of Compliance with Federal Air Standards.
July 4, 2000... Byline: Pam Sohn Jul. 4--Every region in Tennessee with an ozone monitor is out of compliance with state and federal air regulations, says Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist. Hamilton County is one of those areas, and so is every other...

Tennessee Utility Company Designs Chattanooga Headquarters to Conserve Energy.
July 4, 2000... Byline: Dave Flessner Jul. 4--When the Tennessee Valley Authority decided in the 1970s to build a new power headquarters in Chattanooga, the federal utility initially wanted to erect the office complex beside the Tennessee River that it...

Telecom Supply Firm to Open Location in Rock Spring, Ga., Office Park.
July 4, 2000... Byline: Jamie Hancock Jul. 4--LAFAYETTE, Ga.--Cardinal Equipment Co., a distributor of new and used telecommunications supplies, will soon become the first business hanging its shingle at the Rock Spring Industrial Park in Rock Spring,...

Chattanooga Times/Free Press Business Profile Column.
July 1, 2000... Byline: Chris Shackleford Jul. 1--The new chairman of the board of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau thinks the city could double its $500 million-a-year tourism business. "Our potential for growth is phenomenal,"...

Tennessee Bonds Dropped to Lower Rating after Approval of State Budget.
July 1, 2000... Jul. 1--Two days after the General Assembly overrode the governor's veto and adopted a patched-together budget, Standard & Poor's made good on its threat and dropped Tennessee's bond rating from Triple-A to Double-A Plus. "It's so...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Concentrates on Development of Southside Area.
July 1, 2000... Byline: Mike Pare Jul. 1--Bill Bolen surveys the activity surrounding the 115-year-old building on Chattanooga's Southside that he plans to revamp into new housing and shops. In nearly every direction around the Williams Street...