TVA’s Connected Communities Initiative Funds Nine Pilot Projects In Mississippi And Tennessee
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Connected Communities initiative is one of the concepts TVA is initiating as part of the Energy System of the Future to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In February, the TVA Board of Directors approved exploration of advanced nuclear technology as part of its development of innovative, cost-effective technologies to support its aspirational goal of a net-zero carbon energy future.
Other technologies TVA is exploring include next-generation energy storage, carbon capture, new hydroelectric pumped storage and hydrogen. TVA continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio, including the targeted addition of up to 10,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2035.
Dr. Joe Hoagland, vice president, TVA Innovation & Research, said production of low- and no-emission power is an important, but not the only, part of the energy equation for TVA’s seven-state service region. “It is essential for local communities to be positioned to take full advantage of TVA’s Energy System of the Future,” he said. “During the past year, the Connected Communities team and community partners have been working to understand Valley challenges, align best practices and build a roadmap to tomorrow.”
Bonnie Latta, senior project lead of the TVA Connected Communities initiative, explained that her team is assisting community leaders to prepare for the future by helping them to develop strategies that leverage technology and data. “Connected Communities is all about helping local leaders create plans through local teams, which is important for creating enduring benefits for people and businesses,” said Latta. “We are pleased to help interested communities build a localized strategy and implement a plan. By working in partnership with Valley communities and local power companies, we are continuing to make TVA’s seven-state region the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family.”
To learn more about TVA’s Connected Communities initiative, including resources and tools for communities to implement their own Connected Communities initiatives, please visit www.tva.gov/ConnectedCommunities or email your inquiry to ConnectedCommunities@tva.gov.
Connected Communities Pilot Projects for FY22:
•Water Valley, Mississippi: Base Camp Graduate Institute – Expanding an existing software development training program to support non-traditional students.
• Chattanooga, Tenn. – Connectivity and Health in Orchard Knob: A Smart Community Model for Equitable Access to Services for the 21st Century – Bringing together expanded public Wi-Fi, digital literacy training, digital resources, home weatherization and telehealth to residents of Orchard Knob.
• Cheatham County, Tennessee – Economic Solutions Through Solar Innovation – Constructing a solar pavilion at Sycamore High to support the development of a solar energy Career and Tech Education program and introducing solar science to students.
• Columbus, Mississippi – ACTNow (Access, Connectivity, Tools) – Developing a digital literacy training program for Columbus Housing Authority residents that provides an opportunity for those that complete the training to earn a Wi-Fi hotspot and laptop of their own.
• Knoxville, Tennessee – Alerting Elders and Trusted Social Networks Living in Environmental Justice Communities About Indoor and Outdoor Risks to Their Health – Developing an environmental risk monitoring system to alert elders and their support networks of potentially hazardous environmental conditions.
• Knoxville, Tennessee – Building the Future of East Tennessee’s Workforce: Creating Pathways for Early Learners to the Skills, Jobs, and Opportunities in Our Region – Producing a video series to increase awareness of vocational and STEM careers, aimed at K-8 students and airing on PBS of East Tennessee.
• Knoxville, Tennessee. Community Connections: Tech Upgrades at City of Knoxville Recreation Centers – Improving 15 community centers to provide residents access to high-technology study spaces, computers and improved Wi-Fi.
• Lynnville, Elton, and Minor Hill, Tennessee. Community Hotspots – Installing public Wi-Fi access points in communities’ downtown areas.
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The Power of Connectivity: Providing Wi-Fi Access and Education to New Affordable Housing Projects – Developing additional wireless infrastructure and basic digital literacy classes for residents as part of the ongoing renovation of several properties of the Murfreesboro Housing Authority.
TVA’s Connected Communities pilot projects will be awarded funding after successful completion of required reviews. TVA contributes 70 percent of the project’s total costs, and pilot teams will contribute 30 percent… Work on the pilot projects is expected to begin this summer.
To Learn more about Base Camp Coding Academy, visit BaseCampCodingAcademy.org.
