News

Valley TaP Program participants selected

September 26, 2006 — Economic development agencies in four Tennessee Valley communities have been selected as the first participants in the Valley Targeted and Prepared Community Program (The Valley TaP Program), a new initiative by TVA to help communities enhance their economic development efforts.

The four agencies are:

Clarksville/Montgomery County Economic Development Council (Tennessee)
Weakley County Economic Development Board (Tennessee)
Cullman Economic Development Agency (Alabama)
Greater Starkville Development Partnership (Mississippi).

The agencies were chosen in an independent judging process by Boyette Levy, a firm hired by TVA to administer the program. They were selected from 47 community applicants in the TVA region.

“Our regional development staff knew that communities throughout the region were eager for strategic planning assistance,” said John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of economic development. “The response to this application process shows that we have addressed a critical need in helping communities be more prepared for achieving economic success.”

The Valley TaP Program features a planning process that includes an in-depth evaluation of a community’s resources and strengths to target and recruit specific industry segments, which could result in additional jobs and investments. The program was designed and will be administered by Boyette Levy, an Atlanta firm that provides strategic advice and communications support in the areas of economic and community development.

“The chosen communities certainly demonstrated to the judges that they have the community leadership and commitment to be successful in this strategic planning effort,” said Del Boyette of Boyette Levy. “We are eager to begin working with them to develop plans that will enhance their competitiveness for new jobs and investments.”

Communities that were not selected will receive a debriefing on the merits of their application and the opportunity to identify other TVA community development resources. They may reapply next year. Another round of applications will be accepted in late spring or early summer 2007.