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"Scenic Roots" offers conversations that matter in the heart of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley.From the mountains to the river, our conversations are rooted deep within every corner of our community - reflecting who we are, who we were and who we can become.We engage with the news that affects our community, behind and beyond the headlines. We build bridges that span from creators and innovators to storytellers and the outdoors. We focus on our challenges as many communities in one - as we celebrate what inspires us. We resonate with countless voices - in words and spaces, sounds and songs.We are "Scenic Roots."Ray Bassett hosts and produces "Scenic Roots" at WUTC.

BetterFi’s Relief From The Debt Spiral Of Payday Loans In Rural Tennessee

The back of a BetterFi T-shirt.
BetterFi
The back of a BetterFi T-shirt.

Grundy County - an hour northwest of Chattanooga - has one of the highest percentages of payday loans in the State of Tennessee.

BetterFi is a local nonprofit in that county - based in the town of Coalmont - that aims to “end predatory lending one loan at a time” by refinancing those loans and educating people about debt, saving them money and improving their credit.

Spike Hosch is founder and executive director of BetterFi.

Barry Large is an investor and entrepreneur here in Chattanooga who has supported BetterFi’s work.

A BetterFi brochure.
BetterFi
A BetterFi brochure.

Our thanks to Woodson Carpenter and the team at the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga for arranging this conversation.