Congratulations to the Bethlehem Center for securing Chattanooga's first Community Benefits Agreement!
On August 27th, 2024, the Chattanooga Times Free Press announced that a community benefits agreement has been completed related to the Lookouts Stadium and surrounding development. This marks the first CBA to be negotiated in the city of Chattanooga, as well as the second in Tennessee. Congratulations to the community members involved in this process!
View the Agreement, as well as a summary document and press statement, on the Development website.
CALEB Statement on South Broad Community Benefits Coalition ending negotiations
CALEB has advocated for years for development that includes community and meets their needs. CALEB was one of ten organizations that made up the South Broad Community Benefits Coalition, and that coalition carried the hopes of all their constituencies into the negotiation process. After engagement for over a year and a half our coalition team made the decision to end negotiations when the agreement was unable to deliver on a number of those hopes, especially around workforce standards and enforceable legal language. We believe that strong community and political support will be able to deliver on an increasing set of community needs in future projects.
Why Chattanooga needs CBA's
Large-scale development projects can bring with them many positive features like added amenities for an area, new office or housing space, increased tax revenue for the city. Unfortunately too often the benefits of tax breaks do not outweigh the burdens for everyday Chattanoogans. We must do better to ensure that we’re investing in an economy that promotes living wage jobs, community stability, and equitable transit.
How can we make sure that working class families prosper when development comes?
Are there ways to move beyond vague promises or commitments so that city-supported projects can build a better city for all of us?
A community benefits agreement (CBA) is a legally enforceable contract between a developer and a community coalition, and allows affected community members to address a broad range of issues relating to a specific development. For publicly-supported development projects, political decision makers can allow space for more direct community negotiation. With a successful agreement, clear and explicit commitments can accompany a proposed development along with a process for monitoring and enforcement. Just as important, the community has legal standing to make sure the promises become reality.
What kind of commitments do communities aim for?
How can we make sure that working class families prosper when development comes?
Are there ways to move beyond vague promises or commitments so that city-supported projects can build a better city for all of us?
A community benefits agreement (CBA) is a legally enforceable contract between a developer and a community coalition, and allows affected community members to address a broad range of issues relating to a specific development. For publicly-supported development projects, political decision makers can allow space for more direct community negotiation. With a successful agreement, clear and explicit commitments can accompany a proposed development along with a process for monitoring and enforcement. Just as important, the community has legal standing to make sure the promises become reality.
What kind of commitments do communities aim for?
View the Negotiating Agenda for the South Broad Community Benefits Coalition, addressing key issues raised over 14 community meetings held between September and December of 2022.
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Quality of Construction Jobs Workforce Development
Quality of Permanent Jobs Sustainability
Inclusive Housing Community Partnerships
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Goals and High Road Contracting
Quality of Permanent Jobs Sustainability
Inclusive Housing Community Partnerships
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Goals and High Road Contracting