Chattanooga, Tenn. (Wednesday, June 18, 2025) - The Kelly Administration is
seeking applications for the second cohort of the Builder’s Blueprint
Program, which breaks down barriers to entry for local subcontractors who
want to advance in their careers in construction.
This program helps participants reach General Contractor status by
providing access to business prep courses, appropriate certifications,
mentorship, business scaling, and access to capital required for the
general contractor licensure. The State of Tennessee requires applicants
for a general contractor license to prove a net worth of 10% of the project
cost for which they are applying- which is not always possible for
individuals who are applying for the licenses. This program is made
possible by the City of Chattanooga’s participation with the Southern
Cities Economic Initiative (SCEI) through the National League of Cities.
Applications are open until July 17. Applicants must be City of Chattanooga
residents. The program starts on September 9 and ends on January 15.
Applicants should be experienced in building trades and ideally own their
own businesses. The cohort will meet two evenings per week at the
Construction Career Center.
“We are beyond excited that the success of the initial cohort has allowed
us to expand the seats available in the program,” said Dylan Rivera,
Director of Policy Planning and Implementation for the City of Chattanooga. “In
the previous cohort, each participant graduated with their Limited
Residential Contractor’s license and are actively going through the General
Contractor exam and approval process. The Builder’s Blueprint Program
fulfills one of the core tenets of the One Chattanooga Plan - providing
more access to economic opportunities as our city continues to grow.”
There are 10 spots available in the program. For questions, reach out to
buildersblueprint@chattanooga.gov. Individuals interested in participating
in the Builder’s Blueprint program should access the application online
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOf_NmHMD2x9E2tBNYOeYKVkpe-Dn70judoucGZFHYJHGFPg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106357601665646409743>
.