Thrive's Freight Research Project Aligns with New Cleveland State Logistics Program

In a multi-state collaboration, Cleveland State Community College will support Thrive Regional Partnership and Georgia Tech in the development of the Greater Chattanooga Freight Hub database.

Cleveland, Tennessee: In an inaugural multi-state collaboration, Cleveland State Community College will support Thrive Regional Partnership (Thrive) and Georgia Tech’s Center for Spatial Visualization and Planning (CSPAV) in the development of the Greater Chattanooga Freight Hub (GCFH), a database to understand freight capacity and explore multimodal freight transportation in the tri-state region.

This collaboration truly reflects the value of approaching a challenge across boundaries. We are pleased to partner with two educational institutions in two different states on critical industry research that will benefit students, companies, and communities across the tri-state.
— Bridgett Massengill, President/CEO of Thrive Regional Partnership

This collaboration is concurrent with the development of a Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree program at Cleveland State Community College, designed to connect students of the region to career opportunities in the transportation industry. Under the project leadership of Thrive and Georgia Tech, a student data technician from Cleveland State Community College will support the creation and maintenance of the Greater Chattanooga Freight Hub. 

The GCFH data platform will be a foundational resource to the degree program, by providing practical opportunities for CSCC students to explore and learn data analysis and visualization, as it supports regional communities and industries in real time. 

We are proud to be selected for this important work, which will benefit local industry through the creation of the Greater Chattanooga Freight Hub, while simultaneously providing a much-needed Logistics and Supply Chain Management program. Thrive should be commended for their ability to address the region’s logistical challenges while also enhancing the creation of the new program, thereby benefiting our students.
— Dr. William Seymour, President of Cleveland State Community College
This is a unique opportunity for Cleveland State to partner with Thrive and Georgia Tech to address a real-world, critical issue in the logistics arena by applying data analysis and visualization techniques.
— John Squires, CSCC’s Executive Director of Advancement and Planning

Both the Greater Chattanooga Freight Hub data platform and the Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree program are scheduled to launch in the fall of 2022.

We look forward to working closely with regional experts and Georgia Tech faculty to create a cutting-edge program that meets the current and future needs of our industry partners.
— Dr. Barsha Pickell, CSCC Vice-President of Academic Affairs, stated
We plan to leverage this project for our students in order to impact their experience and create a world-class Logistics and Supply Chain Management program.
— Susan Webb-Curtis, CSCC Dean of Business and Healthcare

About Thrive Regional Partnership (Thrive)

Thrive Regional Partnership inspires responsible growth through conversation, connection, and collaboration across the tri-state greater Chattanooga region.

About the Center for Spatial Planning Analytics and Visualization (CSPAV)

The Center for Spatial Planning Analytics and Visualization (CSPAV) is a division of the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development at Georgia Tech. CSPAV develops and applies geospatial technologies to help communities prepare for economic, social and environmental uncertainties. CSPAV is at the forefront of collaborative, interdisciplinary research for local, state, national, nonprofit and private entities across the country and the world. For more information, visit www.cspav.gatech.edu.

About the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development (CQGRD)

The Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development (CQGRD) at Georgia Tech is dedicated to the study, dissemination, and implementation of ideas and technology that improve the theory and practice of quality growth. Through research projects, presentations, and academic publications, CQGRD evaluates and advocates for policies, planning practices, and technologies that foster quality growth. For more information, visit www.cqgrd.gatech.edu.