The county boast the lowest unemployment rate in the area (5.6%) and a stable population and employmentgrowth rate (1.8%). It is centrally located for employment opportunities in the Tri-State area ofNorthwest Georgia, Southeast Tennessee, and Northeast Alabama. Forty-six percent of county residentswork in Tennessee, Thirty-two percent in Catoosa, with the remaining Twenty-two percent working in neighboring counties. The largest employers in the county are Shaw Industries, Hutcheson Medical Center, and the Catoosa County School System.
Called "The Gateway to Georgia" with Interstate 75 passing through it,Catoosa County is stategically located fifteen minutes from a major airport and one and one-half hours fromAtlanta; it's within thirty minutes of two scenic state parks and only nineteen miles from Chickamauga Lake on theTennessee River. Municipal and county recreation facilities offer tennis courts, swimming pools, golf courses,ball fields, walking/jogging paths, and picnic facilities.
Ringgold was designated as the county seat one year after the county was created. The name is taken fromMajor Samuel Ringgold who died of wounds received in the Mexican War, Battle of Palo Alto in 1846.
Erected prior to the Civil War, the Ringgold Depot was significant in transporting Confederate soildersand is one of the few remaining ante-bellum railroad depots in the state. It wasthe backdrop for the Great Locomotive Chase in 1862. From here General Sherman led his troopsthrough Ringgold Gap to begin his campaign against Atlanta and the heart of the South.
Built at the turn of the century, Ft. Oglethorpe was home of the 6th Calvary, and was consideredto be the best Calvary post in the United States. Its use ceased in 1946 when the military installationwas sold by the government to a local group of civilians as a ready-made town. Today, the originalbuildings on Barnhardt Circle are used as private homes.
Located in Ft. Oglethorpe, the Chichamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park is noted as the nation'soldest and largest park of its kind. Eight historic areas contitute approximately 8,000acres of many faded battle memories. The year 1863 found Union and Confederate troops clashing nearChickamauga Creek in what proved to be, for the number of men committed, the bloddiest battle in Americanhistory. It serves as a reminder of our eventful past.
CULTURECatoosa County offers a unique Quality of Life. The peaceful, diverse landscapes of northern Georgia's natural beauty are contrastedwith the fast-paced urban scenes just minutes away. The best of both worlds...a small, hometown atmosphere with bigcity advantages.
LibrariesTwo local libraries, one in Ft. Oglethorpe and one in Ronggold serve our county well with libraryservices. The Chattanooga / Hamilton County Bicentennial Library isalso close at hand.
Cultural EntertainmentNearby Chattanooga offers a variety of cultural entertainment to choose from. Some of theseopportunities include symphonies, operas, theater and danceincluding Broadway shows and world famous ballets.Country, Rock, Popular and Folk concerts are presented often in this area.
MuseumsA number of museums in our area provide cultural education in a variety of arts, heritage and history, including our own Chickamauga - Chattanooga National Military Park's VisitorCenter which provides a look at our historical past.
NatureThe Tennessee Aquarium in nearby Chattanooga is an impressive $45 million freshwaterlife center, and is home to more than 7,000 animals, including 300 speciesof fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. This educational facility fosters better understandingand appreciation of aquatic living environments.Our area is abundant in natural wildlife. Reflection Riding in Chattanooga specializes inproviding educational nature tours to show the many varietiesof plants and animals from which to learn.
CHURCHESAn abundance of churches serve the area. Most denominations are represented in over 80 churches in the county.
NEWSThe Catoosa County News, and the Busy Shopper (circular), provide local news to the countyon a weekly basis. The Ft. Oglethorpe Press, which circulates to theFt. Oglethorpe area only, also provides weekly news.Daily newspapers are available from the Chattanooga Free Press and the ChattanoogaTimes. Daily papers from Atlanta are also available.Four local television stations, as well as the many radio stations in thearea, including WSGC located in Ringgold, cover local news.
RECREATIONCatoosa County has many recreational facilities for those with an active lifestyle.
Health ClubsJessie Thornton's United Karate Studio, Club California and the North Georgia YMCA provide an assortment ofactivities for the health-conscious.
GolfPrivate golf clubs such as Council Fire and Battlefield Golf Club are availale to serveCatoosa County and the surrounding area. Another private course in the county is SalemValley Par 3. The Course of Windstone is open to the public. The SoutheasternGold Center also serves Catoosa County with a driving range.
Recreational Facilities
| Site | Number Available |
|---|---|
| Amusement Parks | 1 |
| Ball Fields | 23 |
| Bowling Alleys | 1 |
| Campgrounds | 1 |
| Driving Range | 1 |
| Federal Traning Sites (Sumer Camps) | 1 |
| Golf Courses | 4 |
| In-Door Movies | 5 |
| Karate Studios | 1 |
| National Parks | 1 |
| Parks | 3 |
| Swimming Pools | 2 |
| Skating Rinks | 1 |
| Ski Lakes | 1 |
| Tennis Courts | 10 |
Recreational Facilities Within 50 MilesCarters LakeChickamauga LakeCloudland Canyon State ParkFort Mountain State ParkHarrison Bay State ParkLake OcoeeRed Clay State Park
SHOPPING & DININGCatoosa County offers a diverse number of retail and service businesses that provide shopping opportunitiesthat can serve almost any need. There are also a number of malls in our area, including Hamilton Place, the largest shopping mall in Tennessee, only twn minutes away!Fort Oglethorpe and Ringgold are home to many wonderful restaurants that serve almost any "taste." Banquetrooms are also available for special meetings and events.
