Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Opportunities in West Tennessee
The Water Finance Exchange (WFX) and Communities Unlimited (CU) are hosting this workshop to discuss the technical assistance and financial needs and opportunities for water and wastewater infrastructure in West Tennessee. The informational exchange will identify primary challenges facing smaller and underserved Tennessee communities, outline financing opportunities, and generate ideas for collaboration going forward.
*Utility Board Credits and Travel Stipend Available
Hourly Schedule
October 10, 2024
- 9:30 am - 9:50 am
- Welcome, Introductions, and Meeting Objectives
- • Tommy Ricks, Community Support Director, Water Finance Exchange • Alexander Brandon, Environmental Services Area Director, Communities Unlimited
- 9:50 am - 10:15 am
- Keynote Remarks
- • Ross Colona, Assistant Director, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury
- 10:15 am - 11:00 am
- Breakout Session – Challenges and Solutions
- Solicit feedback from group on three key questions: • What are the biggest challenges confronting water infrastructure in Tennessee? • What additional resources are needed to help rural communities in Tennessee access safe, clean water and wastewater treatment infrastructure? • What are examples of successful water and wastewater projects in Tennessee and what were the key elements for success?
- 11:00 am - 11:15 am
- Networking Break
- 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
- Panel 1 - Local and Federal Resources Available to Communities
- • Arlisa Armstrong, State Director, United States Department of Agriculture • Vena Jones, Manager, State Infrastructure Grants, Division of Water Resources, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation • Amy Smith, Critical Infrastructure Program Analyst, Delta Regional Authority • Melissa Davis, Grants Coordinator, Southwest Tennessee Development District
- 12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
- Luncheon and Keynote Presentation
- • A Review of the West Tennessee Wastewater Regionalization Opportunity Assessment, Vena Jones, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
- Community Solutions and Opportunities
- • Ross Colona, Assistant Director, Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury • Melissa Davis, Grants Coordinator, Southwest Tennessee Development District • Nick Newman, Executive Director, Tennessee Association of Utility Districts • Martin Cross, Senior Project Manager, Veolia • Chris Ranniger, Senior Economic Development Loan Officer, Communities Unlimited
- 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
- Workshop Wrap-Up
- • Tommy Ricks, Community Support Director, Water Finance Exchange
