NewsRelease

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Bill Allen (423) 472-6587
Jerry Bohannon

Business Leaders Launch $1,800,000 Economic Development Initiative

On Wednesday, June 26, Cleveland / Bradley County business leaders announced a three-year, $1,800,000 economic, business and workforce development initiative designed to move the Cleveland / Bradley County economy forward by addressing critical issues such as workforce development, corporate recruitment, existing business support and expansion, and tourism development. The three-year plan, called CLEVELAND / BRADLEY: Climbing to New Heights, is an initiative of the Cleveland / Bradley Chamber of Commerce.

The Climbing to New Heights plan was announced at a breakfast forum (8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.) at the Museum Center at Five Points, 200 East Inman Street, Cleveland, TN on Wednesday, June 26, 2002.

Over the next three years, CLEVELAND / BRADLEY: Climbing to New Heights will provide funding for the Cleveland / Bradley Chamber of Commerce to implement specific, proactive measures to:

Establish a CEO Forum to help address workforce, tourism and economic development strategies,

Implement our area’s first comprehensive workforce development strategy; coordinating short and long-term initiatives that address area employers’ needs for an expanded, skilled, competent and competitive workforce,

Proactively work with local business and industry leaders to identify opportunities for local expansion, address existing company needs and galvanize support behind specific plans of action,

Actively target and aggressively recruit companies that (i) complement our existing corporate base, (ii) generate higher-skilled employment opportunities, and (iii) further diversify the corporate and industrial base of Cleveland / Bradley County.

Increase tourism spending in Cleveland / Bradley County from $68,000,000 per year to $74,000,000 per year – generating an additional $750,000 in sales / hotel tax revenue for our community,

Provide vital economic information to Cleveland / Bradley business and civic leaders regarding our community and our region and keeping them involved in critical economic issues,

Establish the Chamber’s new facility at the Village Green complex - a cost-effective, downtown home that will foster increased business participation in area economic and workforce development while projecting a positive and progressive image of our community.

CLEVELAND / BRADLEY: Climbing to New Heights was designed through an extensive research effort involving over 110 business and community leaders during the first months of 2002. Climbing to New Heights will be funded primarily through private sector investments by organizations interested in the economic future of Cleveland / Bradley County.

A distinguished group of business leaders representing manufacturing, banking, utility, retail, service, and real estate concerns has joined forces to direct the $1,800,000 investment campaign:

General Campaign Co-Chairs ($200,000)

*Brenda McKenzie*	W. Allan Jones
Chief Executive Officer	Chairman
Brenda McKenzie & Associates	Jones Management Services

Trail Blazer Division Chair ($100,000)

Bob Hardin

Vice President & Gen. Manager

Maytag Cleveland Cooking Products

Scout Division Co-Chairs ($50,000)

Scott Taylor	Tom Wheeler
CEO	General Manager
Bank of Cleveland	Cleveland Utilities

Marty Smith	Jim Williams
Chief Executive Officer	Regional President
Cleveland Comm. Hospital	First Tennessee Bank

Backpacker Division Co-Chairs ($25,000)

Tim Columbia	Knox Horner	*Bob Card*
Plant Manager	President	Vice President
Cormetech Inc.	Ocoee Environmental Services	Easy Auto Credit, Inc.

Scaler Division Co-Chairs ($15,000)

Jim Workman	Hal Y. Roe	Catherine D. Boettner
Owner	President	President
Bender Realty	Bradley Equipment Rentals	Cleveland Tubing

Jim Sharp	Lou Patten	Ron Braam
Owner	President	President
Sharp Developments	Insurance Incorporated	Manufacturers Chemicals

The leadership of CLEVELAND / BRADLEY: Climbing to New Heights will be asking business organizations and leaders throughout Cleveland / Bradley County to invest in the future of our economy and their own business through a financial commitment to the Climbing to New Heights program.

To date, more than $965,000 has been pledged toward the $1,800,000 goal.

The Cleveland / Bradley Chamber of Commerce expects the investment campaign to conclude in October 2002. All organizations wishing to participate in CLEVELAND / BRADLEY: Climbing to New Heights are urged to contact Bill Allen or Joselyn Lee at (423) 472.6587.