Guidehouse Supports TVA in Launching Technology-Focused and Community Driven Pilot Projects Through Industry-Leading Initiative

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) launched Connected Communities (CC), an industry-leading initiative to work with communities in support of using data and technology-driven innovations to offer improved services to people and businesses. As Valley communities begin to explore how to become more “connected,” TVA is funding projects that will empower them to test ideas and learn what technologies and solutions can help them address their unique challenges—such as broadband access, environmental risk monitoring, digital literacy training, and next-generation career options.

The Connected Communities initiative is funding nine pilot projects that will share more than $3 million in grant funding from TVA in 2022 and 2023, and will leverage pilot teams’ contributions to invest over $4 million in total project spending.

Guidehouse supported TVA in planning and managing the call for pilot projects seeking funding in three focus areas: equitable access to services, economic empowerment, and energy and environmental justice. Forty teams submitted pilot project applications during the fall of 2021. Local governments, power companies and community-based organizations were involved in choosing the selected projects.

Pilot funding is a key milestone in TVA’s Connected Communities initiative that launched in 2021. TVA selected Guidehouse to support the initiative from its inception. During the first year of the initiative, Guidehouse worked with TVA to collaborate with over 30 stakeholders, including local governments, local power companies, and community-based organizations. The group codeveloped a vision and mission, as well as focus areas for Connected Communities that reflect the needs and priorities of local communities. Guidehouse continues to assist TVA in carrying this work forward to its next phase of planning and implementation.