Call Center Company in Chattanooga, TN

Some residents here in Chattanooga and surrounding areas were in for a bit of a scare this morning when an earthquake with a 4.1 magnitude rumbled across the southeast. Luckily, it wasn't large enough to cause much damage--just a few seconds of shaking and maybe some items knocked off a shelf.

Despite what some might think, the western region of the United States isn't the only place where earthquakes commonly occur, and it's not uncommon to have a few rumbles occasionally.

For some residents, though, today's surprise was an all-new experience.

"I felt a rumble, and, normally, I think it's a train about to pass by or my washing machine is off balance," said Jimmy Rivas, a Dayton resident. "I didn't start the laundry, and a train never came through. I said, ‘this isn't a drill. I think it might've been an earthquake,’ and it was. It was kind of a surreal, first-experience deal.”

The shaking rattled many people Saturday morning.

Rivas says he immediately texted his family and friends, asking if they too had felt the sudden shaking.

“I called and messaged them all,” Rivas says. "My adopted mother lives with me and slept through it all–didn’t even hear anything. I messaged a couple other family members and asked them, 'Did y'all feel that? Is everything alright?' A couple of them said they didn’t even feel a thing."

He wasn't the only one making calls either: the United States Geological Survey says over 23,000 calls were made within the hour the quake struck.

Rivas says a few coworkers living in Knoxville had items fall off shelves and break, but thankfully, no significant damage or injuries were reported.

We’re trading in the typical cards and flowers for Mother’s Day this year. Instead, we’re taking our loved ones out for a Scenic City experience.

Craft charming one-of-a-kind jewelry Stop by one of Pairé Charm Bar’s pop-ups happening Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11 to build a bracelet or necklace together with charms that represent all of the things you love about them.

Treat them to a babysitter On Friday, May 9, make sure they’re free for a Mom’s Night Out at The Greenhouse by Oddstory. From 4 to 8 p.m., DIY a $6 keychain or $8 mini bouquet + sit back and relax with adult coloring and a cocktail.

Purchase their market list Treat them to a day at the Chattanooga Market on Sunday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — go the extra mile by helping make their list + buying some locally made goods for them. We think Anisa’s Secrets Seasonings should be at the top of the shopping list (a personal staple in City Editor Haley’s spice cabinet).

Show them they’re the GOATTake a short drive to nearby Flintstone, GA on Sunday, May 11 to spend the day at High Point Farms. From 1 to 4 p.m., take a garden tour, hit the mimosa + bouquet bars, and spend some time snuggling the farm’s baby goats.

Bonus: Find out more ways to celebrate by checking out our Events page.

COLLEGE PARK, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today announced the joint development of a new quantum innovation center with EPB of Chattanooga, a leading energy and communications company. This strategic partnership will further establish Chattanooga as the catalyst in Tennessee's emergence as the national hub for quantum innovation. The EPB Quantum Center will house a state-of-the art IonQ Forte Enterprise quantum computer that will be shared by both companies. In addition, the Center will house the existing EPB Quantum Network which IonQ already supports – establishing Chattanooga, Tennessee as the first quantum computing & networking hub in the U.S.

Through the partnership, IonQ will establish an office in Chattanooga to provide quantum computing, networking, and application development support and training. This will allow IonQ to provide specialized training for quantum developers and the two companies to work closely in jointly creating quantum computing algorithms designed for energy grid optimization.

“This partnership represents more than just a technological milestone, it’s a pivotal step in building a quantum economy and IonQ ecosystem in Tennessee,” said Niccolo de Masi, President and CEO of IonQ. “By delivering our Forte Enterprise-class quantum capabilities to Chattanooga, we’re expanding our quantum access to customers across the state and working together to drive long-term economic growth for Chattanooga.”

"By establishing Chattanooga as the first U.S. hub for quantum computing and networking, we stand ready to work with companies and researchers across the nation to accelerate the development of real-world applications for quantum technology,” said David Wade, EPB CEO. “Our mission-driven effort to enhance quality of life for our community by playing a catalytic role in the development of new quantum technologies aligns with the national priority of developing quantum technologies for security, business optimization and global competitiveness.”

IonQ’s Forte Enterprise system is a powerful, data center-ready quantum computer designed with a low energy profile, rack-mounted form factor and minimal environmental isolation requirements. As IonQ’s highest performing quantum computer, Forte Enterprise delivers an algorithmic qubit count of #AQ36 and industry-leading gate and measurement accuracy that enable Forte Enterprise to tackle large problems and real-world commercial applications that drive business value.

The addition of an IonQ quantum computer in the EPB Quantum Center adds to IonQ’s growing global footprint, with quantum systems in Basel, Switzerland and Rome, NY, and IonQ data centers in Maryland, Washington state and Switzerland.

Today’s news marks the latest step in IonQ’s continued presence in Tennessee and builds on the company’s longstanding partnerships with local companies and academic institutions, including the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. IonQ and Ansys achieved a major quantum computing milestone with quantum computing outperforming classical computing when designing important life-saving medical devices. The quantum optimization method which this achievement was based on was pioneered at the Tennessee-based Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and successfully implemented on IonQ quantum computers. The company is also the primary technology partner for the EPB Quantum Network further expanding its role in advancing regional quantum networking technologies.

To learn more about IonQ and its latest innovations, visit https://ionq.com.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. is a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world’s largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ’s current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. The company’s innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In’s 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.

About EPB

EPB is a customer-focused technology company that delivers innovative energy and communications solutions to the Chattanooga area in pursuit of its mission to enhance the quality of life for the community it serves. In 2010, EPB completed a 100% fiber optic network accessible to all its customers as the basis for launching America's first community-wide Gig speed internet. The company still operates the world's fastest community-wide internet service today at speeds up to 25 Gig. EPB also utilizes Chattanooga's fiber optic network as the communications backbone for the most advanced and highly automated power distribution system in the United States. In 2022, EPB continued its commitment to keeping Chattanooga on the cutting edge by establishing our nation's first commercially available quantum network—EPB Quantum Network℠ . This effort aligns local job creation efforts with the national priority to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology.

Since switching the lights on for its first electric customer in 1939, EPB has grown to serve nearly a half a million people across a 600-square-mile service area with cutting-edge infrastructure that integrates power distribution and telecommunications. At the same time, EPB keeps customer benefit at the center of all its efforts, earning recognition from J.D. Power as the #1 Mid-Sized Utility in the South for the last nine consecutive years based on customer satisfaction ratings. Learn more at epb.com.

IonQ Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the terms “will,” “further,” “building,” “creating,” “expanding,” “long term” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to EPB and the region becoming a national leader in quantum innovation, computing and networking; the expected collaboration between IonQ and EPB; expansion of the market for access to IonQ’s systems and the Tennessee economy; IonQ’s quantum computing capabilities and plans; and the potential benefits of IonQ’s strategic partnerships. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ’s ability to implement its business plans and technical roadmap; changes in the industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ’s business; market adoption of quantum computing solutions and IonQ’s products, services and solutions; any disruptions and other problems with IonQ’s operations including research and development, hardware, systems, components or facilities; IonQ’s ability to attract and retain its key employees and other personnel with specialized knowledge; any changes or inadequacies in IonQ’s quantum computing and networking capabilities and plans; IonQ’s relatively limited history in development quantum networking technologies; and the capability of our quantum systems and quantum networks to provide certain capabilities and advantages. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s filings, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of IonQ’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by IonQ from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. IonQ may or may not choose to practice or otherwise use the inventions described in the issued patents in the future.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — After a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled eastern Tennessee Saturday morning, some might be wondering how often seismic events like these happen in the region.

The quake happened just after 9 a.m., and the epicenter was about 13 miles south of Greenback, Tennessee in Loudon County.

Dr. Jennifer Taylor, Assistant Geology Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, said earthquakes like this are common in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, which is the second most active seismic zone in the eastern United States.

These earthquakes are typically felt, but cause minimal damage.

That might include items falling off shelves or pictures coming off the wall in areas where the tremors were more prominent.

"Here in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone, we do get hundreds of earthquakes every year, but most of them are so small that nobody ever feels them," Taylor said. "So it's very seismically active, and sometimes even a magnitude 4 like we had today. These happen every few years. There was one in 2018, so they happen, but this is about as big of an earthquake as we have ever recorded here in east Tennessee since record started, and it's about as big as we expect an earthquake to be."

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) also says aftershocks, which are smaller earthquakes that happen after a big earthquake has happened, are possible over the next few days.

Taylor said this is typical after a big release of energy.

"Forces in the earth have been building up over time, and the earthquake is the release of all of that energy. And when you release a lot of energy, all of a sudden, it can reorganize how all those forces are being distributed in the Earth's crust. And sometimes they need to be released again in smaller amounts afterwards. So the earthquake that we had this morning is what's known as a main shock. So it's the big earthquake that happens, and then it's not uncommon for there to be a few smaller earthquakes afterwards. So I wouldn't be surprised if we had some smaller ones, either later today or in the upcoming days."

USGS reports the plate shifting happened very far under the earth's surface, at about 15 miles deep.

When asked if there might be any effects seen on the earth's surface, Taylor said:

"It's unlikely that we're going to see anything at the surface. I don't think like roads are going to be offset, or you're going to see any kind of uplift or anything like that. These earthquakes that happen in the East Tennessee Seismic Zone usually do happen relatively deep, and they happen on very, very old faults that are actually older than the Appalachian Mountains."

We moved to Red Bank, a small suburb in North Chattanooga, a little over four years ago. I could not love this little pocket of town any more than I do. It has a small quaint downtown area, yet is mere minutes from all the shopping and restaurants in Hixson and fewer than 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga.

Guide to Red Bank, Tennessee

Food and Drinks

BeCaffeinated: Red Bank was home to the very first BeCaffeinated location. They now have four locations around the city (the latest is by the zoo), but they originated here. If you have children, you don’t need me to elaborate on how wonderful a drive-through coffee shop is. They support and sell bakery items from Niedlovs, B’s Sweets and more. My favorite drink is the Chattahooligan but they are known for their Honey(bee).

Dub’s: This diner is known for their Crumble burgers and milkshakes, but nothing on their menu disappoints. I love their bbq, onion rings, and giant homemade ice cream sandwiches in the Summer (they really are as big as your head)!

Pie R Square: I’ve ordered pies from them for holidays and am always pleased with their customer service! They offer both sweet and savory choices. They have even done a few custom orders for me for some mini pies and were wonderful to work with.

Bread & Butter: A local favorite! My go-to order is definitely their ham and cheese croissant. They also offer take home dinner options such as take and bake lasagnas and homemade pizzas.

The Meeting House: A wonderful coffee shop right downtown with big picture windows. Perfect for meeting a friend or if you need to bring your laptop to work, there’s plenty of tables.

Crust Pizza: This is my boys’ and my favorite pizza in all of Chattanooga. We love the thin crust and their sauce has just the right amount of kick to it. Be sure to check out their weekday lunch buffet!

Shopping and Businesses

America’s Gardens Nursery: This is the best nursery in all of Chattanooga in my opinion. Everyone who works there is extremely knowledgeable and willing to help. They truly make picking out landscaping or gardening an enjoyable experience .

Bela Co: This is a darling jewelry and gift shop. The curb appeal alone of this shop is worth checking out!

Vintage & More on the Blvd: I love a good antique mall and this has a great mix of booths offering old and new. My favorite lucky find from here are my kitchen bar stools.

Bud Floral & Home: This unique home décor store offers beautiful art, fresh flower bouquets, and custom balloon garlands and more.

Red Bank Bounce: This place offers great indoor play for kids, complete with a toddler area, snack bar, and birthday party room! Always a great option during the rainy season or hot summer days.

B&B Discount: This is a huge store offering discounted furniture, appliances, rugs, and more. If you are in need of bigger furnishing items, you must check them out.

Parks

Kids’ Corner: This is my family’s favorite playground. It has a gazebo with seating, a huge shade tree, large sandbox, several tennis courts, restrooms, and a brand new wooden playground built two years ago. It is a hidden gem right in downtown Red Bank.

White Oak: This park offers a lot of green space complete with play structures and a pavilion. It also has a very large and nice dog park! There is a huge grassy hill that is perfect for sledding when we do get snow every few years.

Mountain Creek Road Park: This is a great paved walking trail that also offers tons of green space. It’s perfect for bringing the bikes, stroller, or your dog.

Community

In the spring, the streets are lined with Cherry Blossoms and the light posts boast American flags around Independence Day. In the summer, there is a Farmers’ Market at Red Bank UMC once a week as well as a food pantry that is open to the community every Thursday. The Red Bank Christmas parade is a highlight every year with booths showcasing local vendors, a Santa, and so much more complete with snowflake lights sprinkled throughout town. My kids look forward to these small yet impactful touches throughout the year.

Red Bank is full of character homes, many of which were built in the 1940s. There is the perfect mix of older and newer homes and almost every street showcases views of Signal Mountain.