Brooke Simmons, Community Relations Director of Obion County JEDC recently graduated from TVA’s Rural Leadership Institute. The Rural Leadership Institute, developed and sponsored by TVA Economic Development, provides professional leadership training to rural community economic development professionals in the TVA service area.
The institute is designed to help local participants more effectively lead volunteers, partner organizations, businesses, elected officials and citizens to ensure long-term success.
Three two-day sessions were conducted by leading area experts. The training included focused skills development in the following major areas:
· Foundations of Leadership Style and Effectiveness
· Media Relations and Presentation Skills
· Effectively Marketing Your Community
· Outclassing the Competition in Site Selection
“Rural America’s ability to compete, gain jobs, and attract economic investments depends on local leaders being prepared, having product available, and using effective leadership and communication skills to differentiate their community’s unique strengths,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley.
Over 200 individuals have participated in the program since it began in 2011. Recent leadership graduate Brooke Simmons, Community Relations Director, "Participating in Rural Leadership Institute has been a huge honor. The skills I have taken away from this program have been invaluable to my career in economic development. The team at TVA is an incredible partner to us here in Obion County, and I am extremely thankful for this experience."
Based on the success and responses from this and previous classes, TVA Economic Development is planning future institutes. Economic development professionals located in the TVA region will receive an application if interested in applying for future leadership classes.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) a corporation owned by the U.S. government provides electricity for business customers and distribution utilities that serve 9 million people in seven southeastern states. Economic development is a major part of TVA’s core mission. TVA’s Economic Development services are focused on attracting targeted new industries, retaining and growing existing businesses and partnering with communities to help foster economic growth. More information is available at TVA.com.
