Lindsay Frilling, economic development director of the Obion County Joint Economic Development Corporation, recently graduated from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Rural Leadership Institute.
The Rural Leadership Institute, developed and sponsored by TVA Economic Development, provides professional leadership training to rural community economic development professionals in the TVA service area.
The institute is designed to help local participants more effectively lead volunteers, partner organizations, businesses, elected officials and citizens to ensure long-term success.
Four two-day sessions were conducted by leading area experts. The training included focused skills development in foundations of leadership, organizational and individual effectiveness, effectively telling the story of your community and outclassing the competition.
“Rural America’s ability to compete, gain jobs and attract economic investments depends on local leaders being prepared, having product available, and using effective leadership and communication skills to differentiate their community’s unique strengths,” TVA senior vice president of economic development John Bradley said.
“It it has been exciting to work with these inaugural program participants. By enhancing their professional leadership skills, this program helps benefit their communities’ growth for years to come,” TVA senior program manager of rural strategy Rachel Crickmar said.
A total of 18 participants, including Mrs. Frilling, completed the course and received graduation certificates.
“I was honored to be chosen to participate in the inaugural class and found it to be a versatile learning experience on a very specific topic,” Mrs. Frilling said.
“We were exposed to leadership, communication, presentation, administrative and competitiveness skills related to rural economic development. The sessions also afforded us the opportunity to network with peers from other rural areas all across the valley.
“I have been able to bring to Obion County some of the programs that my counterparts are using in their communities, particularly in the area of prospect presentations and economic incentives. I applaud TVA’s commitment to economic development and appreciate the opportunity to take part in the educational course. Economic development is a process and it requires us to invest and plan today in order to grow Obion County in the future,” Mrs. Frilling said.