We’re more than six months into the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s safe to say that no one thought when we began closing down facilities in March we’d still be here at the end of September. If you take a look around our community, it’s clear that while numbers are getting better, we are nowhere near normal.

In January, Forbes said we’d be the number one city for new jobs in 2020, but if you drive through downtown, Hamilton Place, or the Southside, our streets aren’t as busy, restaurants are limiting tables, and the events that filled our fall calendar aren’t happening.

This means decreased revenues for businesses and lower wages for workers. And let’s not forget that families and businesses in East Brainerd are still recovering from the deadly Easter tornado — in the middle of a pandemic.

Earlier this year, the City provided more than $2 million in grants and loans to local small businesses. These local dollars can only go so far the longer this pandemic persists, and our community needs Congress to step up and do the right thing by providing some additional relief.

In the meantime, there are still options for those who have been directly affected by COVID-19 and the tornado.

For those who may have lost their job or had their wages garnished due to COVID-19, the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Rent and Utility Assistance program can help Chattanooga residents cover up to three months of rent payments. To learn more about the program, how to qualify, and to apply visit this link.

Additionally, as we’re spending more time at home and the weather is getting cooler our electric bills are going up. The City’s Office of Family Empowerment offers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Hamilton County, which provides assistance for income-eligible families to help in meeting rising home energy costs. Assistance may be received only once per program year and is applied directly to the applicant's account with the energy provider. To learn more and see if you qualify, email liheap@chattanooga.gov or call (423) 643-6434.

Finally, earlier this week the City learned that it would be the recipient of more than $721,000 in Community Development Block Grant Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. These funds are specifically designated for disaster recovery from the April tornado. The City will receive the funds at the end of the month and our Department of Economic and Community Development will provide an application process for those who qualify.

As this pandemic continues to impact our economy, communities will continue to feel that pain on a very real level. This is why it’s vital that Congress comes together to pass another round of COVID relief packages that will directly impact those who need it most — small businesses, frontline workers, and agencies that help families in crisis.

The City of Chattanooga will continue to find ways to serve our community as we get through this together.

Thank you and please stay safe.

Sincerely,

Mayor Andy Berke