Fiber Enables SVEC to Go the Extra Mile
June 26, 2020

Eighty years ago, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative improved the lives of residents in the Sequatchie Valley by bringing electricity to their communities. Today, SVEC continues to meet the essential service needs of the communities it serves and exceed expectations with the introduction of SVEConnect, the co-op’s high-speed triple play Internet, television and phone service.

“In real estate, it’s all about location,” said Mike Partin, President and CEO of SVEC, “but in our business it’s all about relationships. Our customers know they can depend on us to deliver reliable electricity service, so it was on us to find the right partners we could depend on to help us deliver a dependable, high-speed broadband product to our customer.”

Due to the proximity of their communities, Partin and the SVEC team were familiar with Chattanooga EPB and the gig-speed Internet and cable TV service they’ve provided to the city of Chattanooga and surrounding areas since 2010. The availability of middle mile fiber connectivity linking Chattanooga and the Sequatchie Valley paired with Chattanooga EPB’s reputation for consistently reliable service made them an optimal choice to partner with as a provider for SVEC’s new service according to Partin.

SVEC chose to first roll the product out to businesses and industry in parts of their service area that already had access to Internet service from other providers, knowing that they could leverage their existing relationships with these customers who already trust SVEC as their electricity provider. They further utilized federal and state grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission to extend the project into underserved rural residential areas and currently serve approximately 35% of their existing customer base.

“The value of bringing high-speed Internet service to rural areas in the Tennessee Valley cannot be overstated. What we call middle mile connectivity – fiber linking community to community – can change lives by providing everyone, no matter where they live, with access to education, remote work opportunities, telehealth options, and connections to the larger world. Projects like this one bringing broadband from Chattanooga to the Sequatchie Valley will become increasingly common as we continue to build out this type of fiber network,” says Betsey Kirk McCall, executive vice president of Seven States Power Corporation.

Partin has advice for other co-ops that might be looking to get into the Internet business. First, he says to choose dependable partners who share the same values. When building out the telephone service portion of their triple play option, Partin identified telecom veterans who shared the same customer-focused vision that has become a hallmark of SVEC’s brand and recruited them to help lead that team. Next, he says to be reasonable about expectations for the new business line. Although SVEC routinely achieves 90% customer satisfaction, they set their initial take-rate goal at just 30% of their existing customer base. Finally, he offers a reminder not to scrimp on marketing your new product. Electricity sells itself, but “you can’t build a $30M broadband network and think you can spend $500 on advertising it.’

< Older Post

 Newer Post >

Driving Electric in Tennessee Just Got Easier

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 27, 2025
Cleveland Utilities connects Cleveland to Fast Charge TN and regional Fast Charge Network

Seven States Power Corporation and Sevier County Electric System Unveil 14 EV Charging Ports at Dollywood

By Jessica Bradshaw • October 3, 2025
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — October 3, 2025 — Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States), in partnership with Sevier County Electric System (SCES), and Dollywood is proud to announce the ribbon cutting and official unveiling of 7 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with 14 charging ports, and 10 solar-powered umbrella charging units at Dollywood, one of the nation’s leading theme park destinations. The new EV charging stations mark another exciting step forward in advancing transportation infrastructure to support the growing demand for electric vehicles in East Tennessee. Designed, developed, and deployed by Seven States, the project reflects a commitment to innovation, community partnership, and serving Dollywood guests. The ten solar-powered umbrellas will be installed in the Country Fair area, providing guests with a convenient place to charge their devices while they enjoy watching ride goers from the comfort of the shade. “Dollywood is a treasured landmark for families and visitors from across the country,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States. “We are honored to partner with SCES and Dollywood to deliver technology that adds convenience for guests while enhancing innovation in the region.” The addition of the charging stations and umbrellas highlight the shared vision of Seven States Power and SCES to expand access to energy solutions across the region. SCES provides electric power to more than 61,000 customers across Sevier County, Tennessee. As a locally owned public power utility, SCES has served the community for over 80 years with a focus on reliability, affordability, customer service, and innovation. “These projects represent our commitment to supporting innovation to meet the needs of our community. By working together, we’re helping ensure that both residents and visitors have access to the energy solutions of tomorrow, right here in Sevier County," said Allen Robbins, CEO of SCES. The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates not only the completion of these projects, but also the growing collaboration between local utilities, community partners, and attractions to create a more modern energy future for Tennessee. “This partnership with Seven States and Sevier County Electric highlights the importance of regional collaboration to build infrastructure that supports both the local community and the millions of visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains each year. By investing in this technology, we are helping pave the way for a more sustainable future, while reinforcing our role as a leader in both the tourism industry and the community we call home," said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “These investments further enhance our guest experience by providing services to help meet two emerging needs of those who visit.”  The charging stations will be available for use to patrons in the Preferred Parking Lot of Dollywood Theme Park beginning October 6, 2025 while the umbrellas are available for use immediately.

Kendall Bear

By Jessica Bradshaw • September 29, 2025
With his extensive experience in the industry, Kendall Bear’s leadership as General Manager of Rockwood Electric Utility has given him the opportunity to ensure his community is prepared for the future. “Although we’ve had many of the following systems implemented for a few years now, looking back, I would say that building a fiber network between our main office and our substations has been beneficial in a variety of ways for Rockwood Electric. This opened the door for additional technology developments such as AMI, SCADA, distribution automation, Dispatchable Voltage Regulation, a 900 Mhz radio system, and a Meter Data Management System. Implementing a GIS system was extremely valuable as well, as we are now able to export that information to other systems such as Outage Management. We have a business and customer portal from CSA that is used extensively by our employees and customers—everyone really benefits from it.” Kendall knows his LPC is responsible for both the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his community to know that he is always looking for ways to better their lives. “We are working very hard to provide a reliable power supply to all our customers and using these different technologies helps us manage the power system. We want to be able to provide real-time information to our customers; something they would not normally have access to without these technologies. I would also want our community to know that we are their ‘trusted energy advisor’ and every employee at Rockwood Electric is committed to helping them make good decisions about the power they use.” With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Kendall encourages fellow leaders to make a strategic plan and collaborate with their peers.  “The possibilities for innovation are almost endless, and there are a variety of products that are offered by many vendors. It is more than a little overwhelming! I would encourage a new GM to develop a strategic plan if the utility doesn’t already have one that is up-to-date. This may involve getting input from the many stakeholders in the community. After prioritizing your goals, get to work. Finally, I would tell a new GM to talk to his or her peers and colleagues a LOT. They will tell you what they have done that has been a colossal flop so you’ll know to avoid it, or they will tell you what they have been successful with. I guarantee every manager will share their story if you ask.”
Show More