Roane County takes green to a new level

Roane County has been designated as a Valley Sustainable Silver Community by the Tennessee Valley Authority through a program initiated by their Economic Development department to help communities improve existing sustainability programs and increase their ability to attract new investment in their community.

Roane County recently completed the TVA-sponsored program, which was developed and administered by consultant Boyette Strategic Advisors. The program documents a community’s assets to increase the likelihood that it will be viewed as progressive and competitive by companies looking to invest in new or expanded locations.

“This takes Roane County’s economic development marketing efforts to prospective and existing green-focused companies to a whole new level,” said Leslie Henderson, president and chief executive officer of the Roane Alliance.

“We are proud that Roane County has completed the Valley Sustainable Communities Program,” said Del Boyette, president and CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors. “The silver level designation recognizes that a community has community-wide sustainability initiatives in place, with programs available to support the existing business community and promote economic development.”

Sustainability has become a key issue for economic development organizations and communities as more corporations have demonstrated an increasing commitment to sustainability. More than 90 percent of corporate real estate executives who responded to a CoreNet Global survey on sustainability said that it is a consideration in their company location decisions. The typical reasons for this corporate commitment are reduced operating costs for increased profitability and greater employee satisfaction.

“TVA Economic Development’s mission includes working with Valley communities and assisting them to be more prepared and to also differentiate themselves to better compete in global markets,” added John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of economic development. “We are seeing that more and more companies have an increasing business emphasis on sustainable operations, and are adding this component to their RFIs as they search for a community where they can locate, grow, and enhance their company and employee sustainability commitments.”

“Roane County has already made a significant commitment to sustainability,” Henderson said. “This Valley Sustainable Silver Community designation recognizes us for our ongoing sustainable initiatives, and will help us attract new investment and jobs. Boyette visited our community and evaluated us in key areas like sustainability preparedness and education; economic vitality; environmental and societal commitment, and even health and wellness efforts.”

“Roane County has always been a naturally beautiful place and we have been working hard to keep it that way. We are proud that our efforts received the silver designation,” said Ron Woody, Roane County executive.

The Roane Alliance is Roane County’s economic development organization and consists of both public and private organizations, including the Roane County Chamber of Commerce, the Roane County Industrial Development Board, and the Roane County Visitors Bureau. For more information about Roane County’s sustainability programs, visit www.SustainableRoane.com.