A new white paper from CRER research scholar Bento Lobo examines the different ways that Chattanooga has benefited from high-speed broadband. Chattanooga was the first city in the country to roll out citywide gigabit-speed broadband in 2010, and the benefits of this infrastructure have been widespread and substantial. The benefits have come in the form…
12/8/25: The Economy During the Holidays
CRER director and chief economist was a guest on TalkRadio 102.3’s Jed and JR in the Mornings. They talked about the state of the economy and things to be worried and not worried about. Listen to the conversation here.
11/25/25: Turkey Prices Drop, Veggie Costs Rise this Thanksgiving for Shoppers in Tennessee, Georgia
Newschannel9’s story on the costs of Thanksgiving quoted CRER director and chief economist Howard Wall: University of Tennessee Chattanooga Director of the Center for Regional Economic Research Howard Wall says it all depends on what families buy and where they shop.“If I went to a different store, I could maybe find a cheaper Thanksgiving. I’m…
11/22/25: Tariffs Pull Plug on NoogaLights in Northwest Georgia
A piece in the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported on and unexpected effect of President Trump’s tariff war: But one local lighting company, NoogaLights, canceled a planned show for Fort Oglethorpe’s Barnhardt Circle. NoogaLights’ owner, John Haustein, said the show would have been the first of its kind at the site and was designed to run alongside…
11/21/25: Quantum Will Push EPB Innovation to $10B Impact by 2035, Study Finds
CRER research fellow Bento Lobo‘s research into the economic impact of EPB’s investments in fiber optics and quantum computing was covered by the Chattanooga Times Free Press. According to the report, which was co-authored by William Plank of EPB, “each (Hamilton) county resident is estimated to have benefited by about $936 per year due to…