Hamilton County Mayor Honored as Economic Development Volunteer of the Year

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) – The Tennessee Economic Development Council (TEDC) has recognized Claude Ramsey, Mayor of Hamilton County, as the 2008 Jim Spradley Volunteer of the Year.  Mayor Ramsey’s longstanding efforts to help develop and market the Enterprise South industrial site were among the achievements noted at the awards ceremony.

Mayor Ramsey has a distinguished record of public service and volunteerism.  He served two terms as a State Representative in the Tennessee General Assembly.  He was a member of the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and served as Assessor of Property from 1980 to 1994.  Claude Ramsey has served as the Hamilton County Mayor for the past fourteen years. His volunteer board service includes Chattanooga State Technical Community College, United Way, Erlanger Hospital, Hamilton County Farm Bureau, Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprises, The Rivercity Company, and Orange Grove Center for the mentally handicapped and the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department.

Mayor Ramsey has worked closely with the Chattanooga Chamber and Tennessee Department of Economic Development to generate economic opportunities. Senator Lamar Alexander, Congressman Zach Wamp and Governor Phil Bredeson all singled out
Mayor Ramsey for his role in attracting the Volkswagen North America assembly plant to the Enterprise South Site.

Congressman Wamp stated, “Claude Ramsey goes about his job quietly and with determination.  When it comes to economic development, Claude gets things done.”
Mayor Ramsey recently played a pivotal role in a $200 million expansion at the Alstom plant in Chattanooga. He also secured federal funding for the development of the
Hamilton County Center for Entrepreneurial Growth (CEG) that assists entrepreneurs in developing new businesses featuring advanced technology. 

 “Claude Ramsey is extremely deserving of this honor,” said Walt Wood, TEDC President and Director of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. “He is an ambassador for the State of Tennessee’s economic development efforts and his record of giving back to the community shows the true spirit of volunteerism.”
“The Tennessee Economic Development Council is an organization I am proud to be associated with,” stated Ramsey. “I am truly honored by this award.”

TEDC is a statewide professional organization for people involved in economic development.  The Jim Spradley Volunteer of the Year Award was established in 1977.  Recipients of the award must be nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of past presidents of TEDC from the field of nominees. Ramsey’s accomplishments were recognized September 25, 2008 at the TEDC annual fall conference, which was held in Jackson, Tennessee.