Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, TN) articles from November 2001

Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, TN) archives from November 2001

Independent Chattanooga, Tenn.-Based Accounting Firms Pass Milestones.
November 1, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 1--Two Chattanooga-based accounting firms are marking milestones as independently owned practices, and neither has plans to merge its balance sheets with larger companies. "Would we still retain that...

Chattanooga, Tenn., United Way to Redevelop Building for New Headquarters.
November 1, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 1--United Way officials decided Wednesday to revamp the 118-year-old Central Block Building and move the organization's headquarters to the Market Street site as soon as next year. "We'll pursue enthusiastically...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Tourism Industry to Focus on Area's Natural Beauty.
November 1, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 1--Aesthetics will replace amusement as the focus of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's next advertising campaign. A recent survey of more than 800 households in the bureau's database found...

Tennessee Development Company Completes Its First Shopping Center Project.
November 2, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 2--In Hixson's new Oak Park Town Center, Bucky Wolford feels he got it right the first time. "We built a quality project and didn't cut corners," said Mr. Wolford, president and CEO of Wolford Development. Oak...

Measures Taken to Protect Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Nuclear Plants.
November 2, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessne Nov. 2--Federal authorities are grounding airplanes, closing off streets and adding unprecedented numbers of armed guards to protect Tennessee Valley Authority plants against a possible terrorist attack. But a TVA...

Large Banks Criticize Study about Fees.
November 3, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 3--Consumers with limited account balances could save at least $75 a year by banking at a small bank or credit union instead of a big bank, according to a new study of bank fees by a national consumer group. ...

Oak Ridge Staffing Firm Ranked Fast-Growing Private Firm in Tenneseee.
November 3, 2001... Nov. 3--An Oak Ridge company has emerged as Tennessee's fastest growing private firm by providing what many growing companies say they need most -- talented workers for specific projects. Pro2Serve Professional Project Services Inc. of Oak...

Auto Dealer Buys Kia Franchise in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 3, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 3--Like a card player holding a flush, Joe Prebul's got one of everything. Mr. Prebul announced Friday that he's purchased Chattanooga's Kia franchise from Charlotte, N.C.-based Sonic Automotive. The new...

Italian Restaurant to Open Location in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 3, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 3--It's all things Italian at Romano's Macaroni Grill. The restaurant not only specializes in northern Italian cuisine. It also creates an authentic Italian atmosphere through decor and special touches like...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Nuclear Power Plant to Hold Annual Emergency Drill.
November 6, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 6--Nearly 1,000 emergency, police and Tennessee Valley Authority workers will surround the Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant Wednesday as warning sirens are sounded within a 10-mile radius of the plant. But...

Health Insurer Buys Lupton City, Tenn., Riverfront Land for Possible Offices.
November 7, 2001... Nov. 7--One of Chattanooga's biggest downtown employers is buying a private golf course and recreation area in Lupton City for a possible suburban office park. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, which has doubled in size over the past...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Gives Healthy Appearance in Spite of National Downturn.
November 7, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 7--Buoyed by lower interest rates and the start of a major UTC building, Chattanooga appears to have dodged in October much of the blow to the national economy from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. While the...

Longtime Chattanooga, Tenn., Auto Foundry Files for Bankruptcy Reorganization.
November 8, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 8--Chattanooga's oldest manufacturer is looking for a new owner or investor to help survive the current economic downturn, officials said Wednesday. Wheland Automotive Industries, the nation's largest...

Best Buy to Open Store in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 8, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 8--A Best Buy store will enter the Chattanooga market on Friday with a new look. Best Buy Co. Inc., a leading specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Foundries Suffer in Soft Economy.
November 8, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 8--Chattanooga's foundries, like many manufacturers, have taken a hit as the nation's economy melts down, and there's uncertainty over how long business will stay soft, officials said Wednesday. "Six months ago,...

Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Mall Owners Face Looming Foreclosure.
November 9, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 9--The owners of Eastgate Town Center believe it will have new local ownership prior to a scheduled Nov. 30 foreclosure, a company spokesman said Thursday. Prudential Mortgage Capital LLC is attempting to...

Community Plans on Opening Bank in Meigs, McMinn County, Tenn.
November 10, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 10--Steve Miller helped build the former Meigs County Bank far beyond its Decatur roots. But after expanding the bank into three counties and selling it to the Alabama-based Regions Bank three years ago, Mr....

Chattanooga, Tenn., Business Investment, Job Growth Decline in Third Quarter.
November 10, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 10--Business investment and job gains in Hamilton County slowed markedly in the third quarter over a year ago, and officials cited the slumping economy and the Sept. 11 terror attacks. "I've had two prospect...

High-Tech Packaging Company to Buy Manufacturing Plant in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 10, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 10--One of Chattanooga's biggest high-tech manufacturing plants, slated to shut down early next year, may stay open under new ownership and initially employ up to 100 people. Electronics packaging maker CoorsTek...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Cafe Owners to Open Restaurant.
November 13, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 13--Mystic Java Cafe is opening a showcase for its flagship restaurant. A 2,700-square-foot timber-frame building in Coolidge Park is being renovated into a full-service restaurant and coffee bar serving...

Bowater Cuts Lumber Production, Sells 264,000 Acres of Timberland in Carolinas.
November 13, 2001... Nov. 13--Bowater Inc., the No. 2 newsprint producer in North America, is cutting lumber production in the fourth quarter by 10 percent and selling off 264,000 acres of timberland in the Carolinas due to weak paper and lumber sales. The...

Regulators Allow Chattanooga, Tenn., Gas Utility to Recover Unpaid Debts.
November 14, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 14--Colder winter weather and higher fuel prices proved costly for both the Chattanooga Gas Co. and its customers last winter. But both the utility and its consumers should get some relief this winter. ...

Fluor Seeks to Lure Businesses to Former Ammo Plant in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 14, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 14--A consulting firm chosen to help guide development of the former Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant is aiming at "an aggressive path" to help attract companies and jobs for the site, an official said Tuesday. ...

Music Store to Close Business in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 14, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 14--Al Miller Music, a store synonymous with helping people make music for over 50 years, is playing its swan song. The retailer at 5909 Lee Highway is going out of business. Al Miller established the...

Columbus, Ga.-Based Firm to Open Golden Corral in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 15, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 15--Michael X. Ross has high hopes for the new Golden Corral that will open next year on Gunbarrel Road. "We think it is going to be the best store in the company," said Mr. Ross, operating partner of Corral...

Group Says Disarmament Plan Means Power Plants Shouldn't Make Bomb Materials.
November 15, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 15--President Bush's decision to cut America's nuclear arsenal undermines the need for the Tennessee Valley Authority to make bomb-grade materials at its nuclear plants for at least the next two decades,...

Economists Predict Recovery for Southern States May Come in Spring.
November 16, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 16--Despite this week's rise in stock prices and retail sales, regional economists said Thursday they don't expect the South to rebound from its current downturn until next spring. "The jump in retail sales...

East Tennessee Health System Helps Habitat for Humanity Build Home.
November 16, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 16--Thanks to the Parkridge Health System, Linetra Turner and her two children will celebrate their first Christmas in their own home. Over 160 employees of East Ridge Hospital, Valley Behavioral Health...

Insurer Might Start Building Construction in Chattanooga, Tenn., in Late 2002.
November 17, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 17--UnumProvident Corp., could start on a third office building in downtown Chattanooga as early as next November if work on a 1,000-car parking garage slated to begin in December goes smoothly. The office...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Metropolitan Airport Officials Evaluate Funding Situation.
November 20, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 20--Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport officials said Monday its cash flow is "a serious concern" and they are putting off projects until funds are on hand and searching for ways to generate more revenue. At this...

Staffing Company Survey Finds Chattanooga, Tenn.-Area Job Market Won't Change.
November 20, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 20--Manpower Inc.'s top Chattanooga manager said Monday that the area's job market won't likely change much next year. "What we need to look at here is having the same kind of year we've just been through,"...

Officials Wary as Regulators Ready to Sell Tennessee River Water to Georgia.
November 20, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 20--State regulators appear ready to open the tap for water from the Tennessee River to be sold into Georgia for the first time under Tennessee's new interbasin transfer law. But state officials also want...

Third Express Oil Change Franchise Opens in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 21, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 21--Two years ago Neel Elliott wouldn't have located a new Express Oil Change on Brainerd Road at Spring Creek Road. "I wouldn't have selected this market for a big business investment," he said. Things...

Tennessee Valley Authority Aims to Keep Workers Happy.
November 21, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 21--The Tennessee Valley Authority, which cut more than two thirds of its staff through resignations, retirements and RIFs (reductions in force) in the past decade and a half, is learning a new set of 3 Rs to...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Board Expresses Satisfaction with Convention Revenues.
November 22, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 22--Tim Riddle isn't Santa Claus, but he gave the Carter Street Corp. board an early Christmas present Wednesday. The Trade Center's executive director told its governing board at its monthly meeting that the...

Industry Analyst Says Mohawk's Tile Maker Acquisition Makes It Even with Shaw.
November 22, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 22--A California-based carpet industry analyst said Wednesday that Mohawk Industries' acquisition of Dal-Tile International "changes the industry." Gregg Yorkison, a partner in Los Angeles-based CYG Investment...

Inc. Magazine Ranks Ringgold, Ga., Vending Firm among Nation's Fast Growers.
November 23, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 23--Dennis and Sandy Thornton started their coin-operated vending business out of the garage of their Ringgold, Ga., home six years ago. It's quickly become far more than a small-change operation. ...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Entrepreneur Finds Niche in Metal-Coatings Industry.
November 27, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 27--Harley Grant joined the former Combustion Engineering Corp. in 1975 with plans to quickly learn about the boiler industry and move on within a couple of years. Mr. Grant ended up staying at C-E's...

Holiday Weekend Shopping Produces Mixed Bag in Chattanooga, Tenn., Area.
November 27, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 27--The U.S. economy may be in recession, as the National Bureau of Economic Research declared Monday, but a Houston firm found that the holidays may yet be happy for the nation's retailers. TeleCheck Services...

Power Battle Starts among Utilities, Regulators in Chattanooga, Tenn., Area.
November 27, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 27--Beneath TVA's downtown power headquarters -- behind two sets of locked doors -- a few dozen TVA employees dispatch electricity across the Tennessee Valley. If federal regulators have their way, however,...

Expanded All-Natural Salon, Spa Opens in Chattanooga, Tenn.
November 28, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 28--The products and the environment are natural at the new Studio 59 Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa. Studio 59 owners Randy and Joan Medley spent about $1 million to purchase a building at 2309 Hickory...

Jackson County, Tenn., Aluminum-Making Facility to Close in December.
November 29, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 29--SCOTTSBORO, Ala.--For the past 31 years, Troy Carter has helped fix the furnaces and equipment at one of the nation's largest rolling aluminum mills. But within the next month, the 62-year-old maintenance...

Chattanooga, Tenn., Chamber Considers Creating Economic Development Group.
November 29, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 29--A panel of key public and private leaders may be formed to help oversee economic development efforts at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, the new head of the Chamber said Wednesday. "It brings focus,"...

Ownership Group for Tennessee Mall Says Foreclosure Issue May Be Resolved.
November 29, 2001... Byline: Bob Gary Jr. Nov. 29--The end of November might not mark the end for Eastgate Town Center's current ownership after all. The onetime shopping mall, which now has both business and retail tenants, is to be auctioned at 11 a.m....

Chattanooga, Tenn., Merchants Group to Address Traffic Congestion.
November 29, 2001... Byline: Emily McDonald Nov. 29--Traffic is among the issues that Tony Schepisi, owner of Tony's Vitamins, hopes the proposed Gunbarrel Merchants Association will address. "From the day after Thanksgiving to New Year's, people will...

Comcast Tries to Win Excite@Home Customers in Chattanooga, Tenn., Area.
November 30, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 30--Comcast, the Chattanooga area's biggest cable provider, has told thousands of subscribers to its high-speed Internet service they could lose their connections soon. Excite@Home, which provides the service for...

New Chair of Chattanooga, Tenn., Investment Group Says Job Growth Possible.
November 30, 2001... Byline: Mike Pare Nov. 30--Ralph Woodard joined the Southeast Community Capital Corp. because it has a vision to bring more job growth to the city. "This vision really made sense to me," said Mr. Woodard, who moved from Nashville to...

Tennessee Valley Authority Chair Stresses Importance of Reliability.
November 30, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 30--The Tennessee Valley Authority, which backed way from many of its conservation, construction and research initiatives in the 1980s to save money, is rethinking investments in energy technologies to improve...

Things Are Looking Up for Chattanooga, Tenn., Video-Streaming Company.
November 30, 2001... Byline: Dave Flessner Nov. 30--The picture may be improving for a local video streaming company, but only because its backers are ready to pump more money into the business. The head of st3 told a bankruptcy court judge Thursday that...