Jim Coppinger
Age: 59
Occupation: Hamilton County Mayor
Residence: Hixson
Lived in Hamilton County: 59 years
Family: Married, two step-children, one grandchild
Education: Graduated Hixson High School, attended Chattanooga State and UTC
Public Office Experience: Hamilton County Commissioner, 2006 - 2011; Hamilton County Mayor 2011-present.
Church or Civic Involvement: Member Burks United Methodist; Association of County Mayors, Tri-State Regional Workforce Alliance, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Board, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Chancellor’s Roundtable, Regional Health Council, Hamilton County Planning Commission, Joint Economic and Community Development Board, Transportation Planning Organization, Advisory Council on Traffic Safety, Workforce Investment Board, Southeastern Tennessee Development District/Chattanooga Area Council of Governments, Emergency Communications District 911, Hamilton County Railroad Authority, Scenic Cities Beautiful Commission, Tennessee County Services Association and River City Board
Achievements: Presented no tax increase budgets, created over 7,000 new jobs, recruited 27 new businesses, helped more than 50 businesses expand, made available $100 million dollars for new school construction and additions, kept a AAA bond rating by all three rating agencies during two ratings, saved millions of taxpayers dollars by refinancing bonds, reduced the number of employees by 59 positions, cut budget by more than $13 million in fiscal year 2012.
What is the biggest challenge facing the office you are seeking, and how would you address it?
Public education, workforce development, economic development and creating jobs are the biggest challenges.
Public education is critical to the success of Hamilton County. With the implementation of the STEM school and the startup of Pathways to Prosperity, students will be better prepared for the jobs of the 21st century.
Due to our economic development successes and an aging workforce, the need for developing a larger workforce is becoming even more apparent. We have outstanding partners in Chattanooga State and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga who stand willing and able to design and deliver specific training based on needs. Although we have seen some success, we must continue to create more family wage jobs. We do that by continuing to educate our workforce; better education means a better job.
Why should voters choose you?
I have experience, proven leadership, and the ability to make hard decisions.
I have created and presented four budgets with no tax increases. We have reduced the workforce by 59 positions and cut millions from the budget. We have maintained our AAA bond rating by all three rating agencies and saved taxpayers millions of dollars. We have delivered a balanced budget on time to the commission every year and have come in under budget each of those years.
We have created more than 7,000 jobs and work with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce to operate the Business Development Center, one of the top startup incubators in the country. The BDC is the home of more than 70 businesses that employ approximately 400 people and has a success rate of more than 90 percent. I am committed to make Hamilton County a better place to live, work, and play.