Carroll County Electric Board Approves Apprenticeship Program, Infrastructure Upgrades

The Carroll County Electric Department (CCED) Board of Directors met on Thursday, January 30, to address workforce training initiatives, infrastructure expansion, and financial planning.

Apprenticeship Program Gets Green Light
To strengthen Carroll County’s electrical workforce, the board approved a formal apprenticeship program in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association (TVPPA). TVPPA Director Caleb Hall outlined the structured four-year program, which will replace the current on-the-job training model with a standardized curriculum, including:

• 8,000 hours of hands-on training.
• 600 hours of classroom instruction.
• Local training at the Jackson, Tennessee, facility to reduce costs.
• Estimated cost: $1,500 to $2,000 per apprentice annually.

“This program helps standardize training while keeping costs down for local utilities,” Hall said. The board approved the measure unanimously.

Infrastructure Projects Move Forward
The board reviewed updates on three major infrastructure initiatives:

• Trezevant Substation Upgrade — Foundation and fencing for the new control house are in progress. The installation of a 69-kilovolt breaker and high-side switches will improve system stability.
• Silicon Ranch Solar Farm — Construction is 15 percent complete, with trenching underway for underground transmission lines. The project remains on schedule for completion in April 2025.
• State Highway Expansion — As highway work near Trezevant progresses, CCED will relocate critical power lines to prevent service interruptions.

Financial and Regulatory Actions
The board approved a municipal advisory agreement with Cumberland Securities Company to manage funding strategies for ongoing infrastructure projects.

Additionally, a state-mandated compliance resolution was passed, confirming CCED has no financial agreements with international entities that conflict with U.S. law.

Upgraded Communications System Approved
The board approved a contract with ICI Motorola for Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN) services to improve emergency and operational response. Installation begins February 1.

The next Carroll County Electric Board meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.