KNOXVILLE, TN-When you’re the nation’s largest public power company, you do a lot of purchasing. To boost the Valley economy, TVA stayed focused on procuring goods and services from small businesses in 2016—over a billion dollars’ worth.
TVA believes in shopping small; it’s a corporate social responsibility goal.
And though TVA is usually sourcing products and services on a much larger scale than the average consumer hitting the stores on Small Business Saturday, the same benefits apply. Small businesses bring diverse products and bright ideas to the table. Small Valley-based businesses keep dollars circulating in the regional economy. And small businesses are key drivers of jobs here.
That’s why TVA spent a record-breaking $1.05 billion with small business suppliers in fiscal year 2016—a number that’s 24 percent higher than it was in 2012, having steadily increased each year since then.
Althea Jones, manager, TVA Supplier Diversity and Development
“Every year we look to increase our spending with small businesses,” says Althea Jones, manager, TVA Supplier Diversity and Development. “It goes back to our mission of service and generating prosperity in the Tennessee Valley. Small businesses create jobs for our region—encouraging and supporting them ties to not only to our economic development work, but to our commitment to supplier diversity.
TVA Small Business Spending
TVA small business spending expressed as a percentage of total spending.
| 2016 | $1.05 billion | 26.3% |
| 2015 | $946 million | 25.0% |
| 2014 | $899 million | 26.6% |
| 2013 | $824 million | 23.7% |
| 2012 | $805 million | 24.0% |
And what does TVA buy? “Everything from toilet paper to turbines,” Jones says. Beyond the tangible “stuff,” TVA also buys services from consultants, contractors and laborers in nearly every aspect of its operations.
Jones says that TVA searches for the best small-business fit when and where possible. “As contracts expire, we look for opportunities to replace them with contracts from suppliers that are small, diverse and/or based in the Valley,” she explains. “Valley-based companies with strong community ties are good for the economy, and often provide the best value to TVA, helping us keep our rates low.”
Media Release/Scott Fiedler
Public Relations & Corp. Info.
Tennessee Valley Authority
