NOVEMBER 12, 2020 – TVA has awarded $871,000 to Tennessee Urban League Affiliates to continue offering the Building Futures Minority Contractor Training program in 2021. The program was launched in 2019 to recruit and train interested minority contractors on improving home energy efficiency while expanding TVA’s Quality Contractor Network (QCN).

"This initiative has opened doors and created new opportunities for minority contractors during a tremendously challenging year," said Cindy Herron, vice president of TVA Energy Services and Programs. "We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Tennessee Urban League Affiliates as we support contractors in the energy services field and enrich the local contractor network throughout the state."

This year, 14 area contractors participated in the program, including Memphis, Tenn., based Vontyna Durham of Durham Housing & Construction.

"I’m grateful for TVA’s decision to continue providing the Building Futures Minority Contractor Training Program," said Durham. "This training has helped me build my business, serve my customers and pursue new opportunities during a difficult year."

TVA developed the EnergyRight program to help households across the Tennessee Valley improve the energy efficiency and comfort of their homes. Through the residential energy program, each participating home is inspected for potential upgrades that will save money on monthly bills. After the upgrades are installed by a Quality Contractor Network (QCN) member, an energy advisor will inspect the completed work free of charge to ensure upgrades were properly installed.

In partnership with CLEAResult, TULA provides QCN Certification Training, which is targeted to contractors who will complete business skills training and are ready for the process of obtaining certification on the upgrade areas available in the EnergyRight program. QCN members are required to provide services according to TVA EnergyRight guidelines and standards.

Contractors who complete the program have the skills, mindset and knowledge to identify necessary energy upgrades and service equipment, which will ultimately reduce homeowners’ total energy expenditures while improving their health and safety. Through EnergyRight, homeowners can connect with these trained QCN members to complete home energy upgrades and receive more efficiency recommendations.

"We deeply appreciate Tennessee Valley Authority’s dedication to our community through their continuous support of this initiative," said Tonja Sesley-Baymon, CEO of the Memphis Urban League. "We are pleased to help even more participants expand his or her opportunities through the Building Futures Minority Contractor Training program in 2021."

TVA certifies contractors through their Quality Contractor Network across its seven-state service area (Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia) to install the weatherization upgrades in homes. Learn more about EnergyRight.

To learn more about the program and upcoming training opportunities, please email Vickye Bone.