TVA, Valley Communities Recognized for Enhancing Economic Growth
October 19, 2006
TVA Economic Development and two Tennessee Valley communities have been recognized for their efforts in using the e-Synchronist Business Information System® to support business retention and expansion and enhance economic growth.
Blane, Canada Ltd., which developed Synchronist to help communities manage existing business retention and expansion activities, presented awards to TVA Economic Development, North Mississippi Industrial Development Association, and the Marshall County Economic Development Council in Alabama. Blane Canada is a nationally recognized expert on business marketing and retention.
Synchronist is currently used in more than 670 communities in 20 states. TVA assists about 100 counties in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky in the use of Synchronist by working with power distributor customers, economic development organizations and communities to conduct confidential interviews with local companies to gain critical information about their existing operations. The community leaders then identify and solve issues facing local firms and identify opportunities to help companies expand and build stronger business relations within the community.
At its annual users' forum for Synchronist license holders, Blane Canada recognized TVA Economic Development for being the "Road Show Host with the Most." Under the direction of project manager Philip McMullan, a TVA team presented a four-state, 12-day "road show" that reached about 150 local economic development partners. The partners were instructed in how to use Synchronist and learned about best practices in retention and expansion. The events provided a creative way of expanding knowledge about business retention over a wide region of the Valley.
The NMIDA was honored for "Extending Reach." NMIDA serves a rural area where communities frequently do not have the resources or expertise to conduct executive interviews or process data. By partnering with TVA and the Mississippi Development Authority, NMIDA, led by project manager Aaron Akers, helped implement a regional existing industry program in the 32-county North Mississippi area.
In Alabama, the Marshall County Economic Development Council won Synchronist recognition for "Turning Lemons into Lemonade." When a local company lost its lease and decided to move, MCEDC, led by Existing Industry Manager Pam Clay, partnered with the company to help find jobs for 200 workers. Efforts included holding a job fair and providing information about retraining programs and job openings.
TVA Economic Development, working with distributor customers of TVA power, Valley communities, regional and state economic development partners, helped retain or attract 57,000 Valley jobs in fiscal year 2005 and generated more than $3.6 billion in capital investment. More information about TVA ED is available at 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 8.6 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.
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