First Valley TaP Participants Selected for TVA Program
September 26, 2006
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Economic development agencies in four Tennessee Valley communities have been selected as the first participants in The Valley Targeted and Prepared Community Program (The Valley TaP Program), a new program offered by TVA to help communities enhance their current economic development efforts.
Clarksville/Montgomery County Economic Development Council and Weakley County Economic Development Board in Tennessee, Cullman Economic Development Agency in Alabama, and the Greater Starkville Development Partnership in Mississippi were chosen in an independent judging process conducted by Boyette Levy, a firm hired by TVA to administer the program. They were selected from 47 community applicants in the TVA region.
Communities that were not selected to participate will receive a debriefing on the merits of their application and the opportunity to identify other TVA community development resources. They also may reapply next year.
“Our regional development staff knew that communities throughout the region were eager for strategic planning assistance,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. “The response to this application process shows that we have addressed a critical need in helping communities be more prepared for achieving economic success.”
The Valley TaP Program features a planning process that includes an in-depth evaluation of a community’s resources and strengths to target and recruit specific industry segments, which could result in additional jobs and investments. The program was designed and will be administered by Boyette Levy, an Atlanta firm that provides strategic advice and communications support in the areas of economic and community development.
“The chosen communities certainly demonstrated to the judges that they have the community leadership and commitment to be successful in this strategic planning effort,” said Del Boyette of Boyette Levy. “We are eager to begin working with them to develop plans that will enhance their competitiveness for new jobs and investments.”
Another round of applications will be accepted from communities in late spring or early summer 2007 to participate in the Valley TaP Program.
TVA Economic Development helps make the Tennessee Valley a better place to live and work by partnering with distributor customers of TVA power, regional entities, state agencies and local communities to recruit new industries and provide resources to help existing businesses grow. Economic Development is a major part of TVA’s core mission.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.6 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.
Media Contact
Phil Ivey, Nashville, (615) 232-6656
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
