TUPELO, Miss. — Tennessee Valley Authority recognized the importance of small and diverse businesses to its mission of service at the 6th Annual TVA Supplier Diversity Outreach Summit in Tupelo on June 19.

For the second consecutive year, TVA Supply Chain spent in excess of $1 billion with small businesses. In addition, for the third consecutive year, spending with diverse business exceeded $375 million and total Valley business spend was $2.7 billion or more. Full Supplier Diversity Performance details are available on TVA’s web site.

At the event, two suppliers were recognized for their outstanding contributions. SBC Instrument & Control Inc. of Corinth, Mississippi, received TVA’s Diverse Supplier of the Year award, and AECOM was recognized as TVA’s Prime Supplier of the Year. In addition, TVA Senior Contracts Manager Ashley Floyd was recognized with the 2018 Supplier Diversity Champion Award.

TVA’s Supplier Diversity Summit provided more than 55 local, small and diverse businesses a day of learning and networking while offering opportunities to share their unique capabilities and offerings. Participants gained insights into TVA’s contracting process and how to prepare competitive proposals.

“Providing opportunities for local, small and diverse businesses to work with TVA is important to our mission of service,” says Rebecca Tolene, TVA Supply Chain vice president. “In addition to providing us with quality products and services at competitive prices, these businesses give back to the communities in which they live and work, making the Valley stronger.”

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving more than 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation. For more information about TVA, click here.