The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce has been chosen by the Tennessee Valley Authority to participate in TVA’s Community Livability Initiative. The purpose of the program is to map and showcase Oak Ridge’s livability assets and increase the likelihood that the community will be viewed as inviting and vibrant by companies and talent seeking locations, a press release said.

The asset mapping will be conducted by volunteers of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce as well as other community volunteers working with the chamber. The process will culminate in a July showcase to TVA Economic Development staff and Newmark Knight Frank consultants, the press release said.

Kelly Callison, senior vice president of operations for Information International Associates and chair of the Chamber-led Housing Committee said: “It’s exciting to see the hard work of the Housing Committee is a part of securing this opportunity. The housing study commissioned by the Chamber in 2017 and implemented over the past two years is bearing fruit as we see new houses coming out of the ground. The collaboration between the Chamber, the city, Realtors, the school system, Oak Ridge Land Bank, and the Oak Ridge Housing Authority in one joint effort has certainly been a big part of solving problems and maintaining accountability related to follow through on the study’s recommendation.” [Read more…]