Commemorating history through community art
This year, artists completed murals on the fourth wall of EPB's 10th Street substation. The final commission brings the total number of murals at the location to 41. It commemorates the important history of the MLK neighborhood.
“Partnering with EPB by supporting local artists in their creation of these masterpieces has been rewarding, and we are pleased to see the lasting impact of their work even after this project's completion.” — James McKissic, ArtsBuild President
This year's theme, “The Magic of Unity,” illustrates the possibilities of change when we work together as one. As with previous years, artists were selected through a competitive process, with the requirement that they live or work in EPB's service area. Many diverse community partners have supported the project over the past four years, including the MLK Neighborhood Association and several MLK district businesses and stakeholders.
Bridging our community's needs
EPB reaffirmed its commitment to helping the most vulnerable members of our community by investing in United Way of Greater Chattanooga's Bridge Fund for the fourth time. This year TVA matched EPB's investment of $110,000 for a joint partnership totaling $220,000 to address basic needs like food, utilities and housing. This additional funding brings the total investment by EPB and TVA in the Bridge Fund to $940,000.
“Approximately 40% of households in our region are currently facing financial hardship, many of them with children.” — Lesley Scearce, United Way of Greater Chattanooga President & CEO
According to LendingClub®, 61% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. United Way's Bridge Fund offers free and confidential assistance for those who have an immediate need for food, health services, transportation, crisis relief, housing, utility payments or childcare.
HCS EdConnect builds strong foundations
Now in its fourth year, HCS EdConnect powered by EPB has grown to provide high-speed internet and Wi-Fi for more than 16,000 students, who, with their families, represent nearly 28,000 Chattanooga area residents. The program provides home-based, fiber optic internet to students in need at no charge thanks to funding by community partners.
In a survey of families enrolled in the program, Boston College researchers found that parental involvement remains consistently strong even after four years. This was particularly evident in their use of the no-cost fiber internet to access information about their child's schoolwork and to interact with school staff. In 2023, they found students with stronger home internet connections were more inclined to utilize the internet for learning new concepts and accessing information, which led to changes in their perspectives, in contrast to those with merely decent or poor connections.
“Households enrolled in the EdConnect program are using digital devices as much or more frequently than other households to support their children's education through practices like getting information about homework, accessing grades and communicating with teachers.” — Boston College
The Boston College study also documents the educational, economic and health benefits families derive from access to high-speed broadband. According to its findings, HCS EdConnect participants use their connectivity for school coursework, online learning, parent-teacher interactions, applying for jobs, remote work options and telehealth.
Small and diverse businesses enhance economic and community development
In 2024, EPB hosted its inaugural Supplier Diversity Day, Energizing Communities through Economic Inclusion, underscoring EPB's strategy to work with businesses of all sizes to enhance quality of life across the Chattanooga community. The daylong program provided a forum for small and diverse businesses to network with industry leaders and hear from experts on expanding opportunities, including how to work with EPB.
Small and diverse businesses are a valuable resource to help EPB provide world-class products, services and support for customers. Supplier diversity also generates positive benefits for our community. Over the last six years, EPB has contracted with businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, and disabled individuals for products and services valued at $42.7 million, including architectural, engineering, computer systems design and more. Using IMPLAN, a nationally recognized tool for assessing economic impact, EPB calculated that this spending created a total community benefit of $63.3 million, a nearly 50% increase from EPB's initial outlay for goods and services.
“When businesses of all sizes succeed, it helps create jobs and more benefits for our entire community.” — Kristin Copeland, EPB Manager, Minority & Women Owned Business
EPB Hosts Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo for the first time in Chattanooga
In June 2024, EPB hosted the 28th Annual Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo, marking the first time the event was held in Chattanooga. Competitors from a seven-state region converged for the two-day event that featured team and individual competitions atop 45-foot utility poles. EPB promoted the competition to the whole community as a way of showcasing some of the skills and efforts that are dedicated to building, maintaining and repairing our community's infrastructure.
More than focusing on who finishes first, the lineman competition emphasizes safety, precision and following directions, which are essential requirements in a career that Forbes ranked in its list of the 10 most dangerous jobs.
“Communities across the U.S. depend on energy sector workers like linemen for our access to electricity—rain or shine.” — David Wade, EPB CEO
EPB also used the event as an opportunity to spark interest in line working and energy careers among young people who live in the local area. To do this, EPB hosted interactive sessions entitled “What it's like to be a lineman” to raise awareness about the profession and the options for preparation and training for a career in this very in-demand field.
