LAWRENCEBURG, TENN – Lawrence County has been designated as a Valley Sustainable Silver Community in Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) economic development program. Lawrence County recently completed the program sponsored by TVA and developed and administered by consultant Boyette Strategic Advisors (Boyette). “This takes Lawrence County’s economic development marketing efforts to prospective and existing sustainably-focused companies to a whole new level,” said Ryan Egly, Economic Development Director of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.
The Valley Sustainable Communities Program was initiated in 2013 by TVA Economic Development as part of its community preparedness offerings to assist communities in evaluating existing sustainable programs, cataloging their sustainable assets, and increasing future commitments to sustainability. The goal of the program is to document a community’s assets and increase the likelihood that they will be viewed as progressive and competitive by companies looking to invest in new or expanded locations.
“We are proud that Lawrence County has successfully completed the Valley Sustainable Communities Program,” said Del Boyette, President/CEO of Boyette Strategic Advisors. “The Silver level designation recognizes that a community has community-wide sustainability initiatives in place, with programs available to support the existing business community and promote economic development.
Sustainability has become a key issue for economic development organizations and communities as more corporations have demonstrated an increasing commitment to sustainability. More than 90 percent of corporate real estate executives who responded to a CoreNet Global survey on sustainability said that it is a consideration in their company location decisions. The typical reasons for this corporate commitment are reduced operating costs for increased profitability and greater employee satisfaction.
“This program is the first of its kind to connect the dots between Corporate America’s commitment to sustainability and its impact on economic development, which ultimately will ensure that our communities are more prepared to compete in global markets,” added John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development. “We are seeing that more and more companies have an increasing business emphasis on sustainable operations, and are adding this component to their RFIs as they search for a community where they can locate, grow, and enhance their company and employee sustainability commitments.”
At the conclusion of this year’s cycle, a total of 31 communities across the Valley will have been recognized in the program. In addition to completing the inventory of sustainable assets and utilizing the Valley Sustainable Communities designation in their marketing materials, communities that complete the program also receive marketing support from TVA Economic Development.
“On behalf of the Lawrence County Chamber, TVA, and Boyette I would like to thank our local Sustainability Team,” stated Egly. “Our team is made up of representatives from Lawrenceburg Utility Systems, David Crockett State Park, Lawrence County Schools, Lawrence County Solid Waste, Lawrenceburg and Loretto Parks & Recreation Departments, Tennessee Department of Health, the Lawrence County Commission, and the Lawrence County Executive’s Office. This Valley Sustainable Silver Community designation provides us with the opportunity to document, further develop and be recognized for our ongoing sustainable initiatives, and attract new investment and jobs.”
Contact
Ryan Egly | Economic Development Director
Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
25 B Public Square, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
o. (931) 762-4911
ryan@lawcotn.com
About the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is a network of businesses, industries, local governments, utilities, and private citizens that are committed to improving the quality of life in and around the Lawrence County, Tennessee region through economic, tourism, and workforce development. Lawrence County was named a Top 100 Micropolitan area by Site Selection Magazine in 2016 and 2017.
