buildup | Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association

CO-OPS BUILD UP TENNESSEE

ELECTRIC CO-OPS HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE RURAL AND SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES WE SERVE

Co-ops recruit jobs and investment, prepare the next generation of leaders, give back through charitable donations, taxes and payroll, and are on the leading edge of a movement that will bring high-speed internet to our service areas. Electric co-ops build up Tennessee – creating opportunities, impacting families and positioning communities to grow and prosper.

Energy

Co-ops lead the nation in operating safe, reliable and affordable energy distribution systems. We make significant investments in infrastructure, utilize cutting-edge technology and employ the most talented employees. This allows us to operate an efficient power system while keeping the lights on 99.96% of the time for the communities we serve.

Economic Development

Co-ops work with local communities to recruit jobs and capital investment to rural and suburban Tennessee. USDA rural economic development loan and grant programs offered by co-ops have awarded more than $39 million to their communities to recruit and retain jobs. This is an important resource that has saved or created hundreds of jobs in co-op service areas.

Advocacy

Co-ops are passionate advocates for rural Tennessee. The decisions made in Nashville and Washington, D.C. can have significant impacts on our rural and suburban communities. We actively engage with our elected officials to help them fully understand how policy can impact co-ops and co-op-served areas. Whether it is energy, economic development or broadband, co-ops are fighting hard to protect and empower our rural and suburban communities.

Community Investment

Co-ops are important to rural Tennessee because they provide unique career opportunities and pay taxes to their local communities. In 2016 electric co-ops provided 2,600 Tennesseans with jobs that contributed some $171 million in payroll to their local communities. Co-ops are often the largest tax payers in their communities, contributing more than $60 million in ad valorem taxes that support local schools, roads and parks.

Broadband

High-speed internet is a lifeline for rural and suburban Tennessee. Lack of connectivity has had a profound impact on healthcare, education and commerce in co-op served areas. That is why co-ops are working to close the digital divide – championing legislation, developing partnerships and making investments – all in an effort to create new opportunities for the communities we serve.

Leadership Development

The future of rural and suburban Tennessee can be found in our schools. Co-ops actively prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities they will face. This year co-ops sent 139 young people to Washington, D.C. as a part of the Washington Youth Tour and brought 46 young people to Nashville through our Youth Leadership Summit. We are also working to let young people know about exciting co-op career opportunities right here in their home towns.