Economic Development Tool Helps Keeps Companies, Aid Expansions
August 22, 2005
AMORY, Miss. – A new economic development tool that will help the retention and expansion of local businesses and industries is now available in Monroe County.
TVA and the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce are partnering with local power companies in the area to provide the e-Synchronist® Business Information System software.
Communities use the Synchronist system to conduct confidential surveys with local industries to gain critical information about their existing operations. The partners then identify and solve issues facing local firms and identify opportunities to help companies expand and build relationships with local business executives.
“We are pleased to partner with Mississippi Development Authority and local community leaders to help bring the Synchronist software to Monroe County,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. “This new economic development tool will help existing businesses grow and expand and allow Monroe County to create more jobs.”
TVA has a regional license to use Synchronist in Mississippi, and the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce has purchased a sub-license for the software, which makes it easier to implement the program in the local region.
"One of the best tools in recruiting new industries is information about existing industries,” said President/CEO of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce Stephen Surles. “Retaining our valued existing industries is vital to the economic health and well-being of our community.”
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.
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.
Media Contact
Amy Tate, TVA Media Relations, (662) 690-3403
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
Stephen Surles, Monroe County Chamber, (662) 256-7194
