TVA again ranks among top utilities for economic development

NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Valley Authority has been named for the eighth consecutive year as one of Site Selection magazine’s top 10 North American utilities for achievement in economic development.

The publication recognizes TVA’s work in fiscal year 2012 with local power companies and regional, state, and community partners in helping to attract or retain more than 48,000 jobs and leveraging $5.9 billion in capital investment for the seven-state TVA service territory.

“It is an honor to receive Site Selection’s prestigious award, which recognizes our Valley Economic Development team’s dedication and high performance to make the TVA region a better and more prosperous place to live and work,” said John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development.

TVA’s mission is to provide reliable and affordable electricity, environmental stewardship and support in bringing new investments and quality jobs to the region. TVA also works with regional, state, and local partners to help existing businesses expand and to prepare communities to take advantage of economic growth opportunities.

Some of the major companies announcing expansion or location decisions in the TVA region during 2012 included General Motors in Spring Hill, Tenn.; Carpenter Technology in Athens, Ala.; Magneti Marelli in Pulaski, Tenn.; Roxul in Byhalia, Miss; and Teletech Services in Hopkinsville, Ky.

Also in fiscal year 2012, TVA’s successful Megasites program won a Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council for excellence in economic development. This program has set a new competitive standard for economic developers by certifying industrial sites for development in order to attract major automotive manufacturers and other large companies.

TVA also held its second Rural Leadership Institute as part of its expanded Rural Development Strategy. There were 18 graduates in this program that provides leadership skill development and technical and financial assistance training to assist rural, economically distressed counties.

The Site Selection rankings are based on a number of factors, including project activity, website tools and data, and innovative programs and incentives for business.

“This year’s top utilities know how to help companies, projects, and communities hit growth milestones,” says Adam Bruns, managing editor of Site Selection. “And they all know it takes a lot more than special rates to get there.”

Site Selection magazine, published by Conway Data Inc., delivers corporate real estate and economic development information to 44,000 subscribers, most of whom are involved in corporate site selection decisions at the CEO/President/COO level. The full Top Utilities article appears at http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2013/sep/top-utilities.cfm.