Nashville Chamber Receives International Business Retention, Expansion Award
June 6, 2005
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce has been recognized for its “innovative, effective and exemplary” business retention and expansion program in a large city by Business Retention and Expansion International at its annual conference being held in Nashville.
“The Nashville Chamber has taken a leadership role in helping communities recognize the importance of business retention and expansion,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. “TVA and its economic development partners, including Nashville Electric Service, are focused on building business and community partnerships that bring and keep jobs in the Tennessee Valley, and the Nashville Chamber’s efforts play a key role in that.”
TVA nominated the Nashville Area Chamber for the development of its “Workforce Health” report for the Nashville metropolitan statistical area. Using data gathered from interviews with 83 primary sector manufacturers, the Chamber discovered opportunities for the creation of more than 770 jobs and more than $63 million in capital investment for the area.
“The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be recognized with this award,” said Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce Business Retention & Expansion Manager Steve Sparks. “Our existing businesses and industries are the backbone of our regional economy, and this award emphasizes the commitment the Chamber and our partnering agencies and organizations have to servicing their needs. We want these companies to grow and prosper right here at home.”
Other winners in the Tennessee Valley include the Industrial Development Authority in Winston County, Ala., in the small community category; the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama for best state program; and The Technology 2020 Venture Forum for best sustainable program.
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing 3,200 member companies. Together with its affiliates, the Nashville Chamber works to strengthen the region’s business climate and enhance Nashville’s position as a desirable place to live, work and visit. For more information, visit the Chamber’s website at www.nashvillechamber.com.
Business Retention and Expansion International is a nonprofit professional association of economic development professionals who are working for the advancement of business retention and expansion as an economic development strategy for communities. For more information about BREI, visit www.brei.org.
In fiscal year 2004, TVA worked in partnership with various economic development organizations and partners to help attract or retain 50,388 jobs and leverage $2.1 billion in capital investment. TVA also provided more than $13.5 million in economic development loans. For more information about economic development in the Tennessee Valley, visit www.TVAed.com.
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 8.5 million consumers in seven southeastern states.
Media Contact:
Michelle Sherrard
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
