News

TVA efforts help minority-owned telecom firm expand

Feb. 12, 2008 — TVA has facilitated the expansion of Detroit-based Empire Electric Supply, a minority-owned supplier of telecommunications components, into the Tennessee Valley.

In December, Empire announced the acquisition of CSC Electrical Supply in Smyrna, Tenn. The $420,000 investment is expected to create three new jobs and retain five. Empire will become a supplier to TVA.

TVA Economic Development helped facilitate the expansion through its Valley Business Ventures program, which assists high-growth woman- and minority-owned companies with business development, procurement opportunities, and accessing capital to achieve sustainable revenue growth.

"TVA was very instrumental in helping Empire Electric open our first location within TVA’s footprint," said company President Tommy Longest. "Because of the efforts of the Economic Development team, Empire was able to identify acquisition opportunities using GIS data along with other key factors. TVA has been a joy to work with, and Empire Electric looks forward to continued expansion and job creation throughout the seven states."

Several TVA groups contributed to the effort to recruit Empire, including Procurement, Customer Service, and Corporate Responsibility and Diversity. “We plan to include the company in a mentoring program to further enhance their capabilities, capacity, and competitiveness,” says Paul LaPointe, TVA’s senior vice president of Procurement.