LYNCHBURG — Frontier Days, the annual Jack Daniel World Invitational Barbecue … lots of events that normally fill the streets of Lynchburg didn’t happen in 2020 and that means that our local chamber has less money in their coffers to help local small businesses.

With that in mind Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recently teamed up to make contributions directly to area chambers of commerce including the Lynchburg/Moore County Chamber of Commerce.

“DREMC is proud to support these chambers and the work they are doing to stimulate the economy during these challenging times,” said DREMC President and CEO Scott Spence. “The goal of this donation is to help existing businesses get the support they need to continue providing jobs, as well as to promote new business development, which creates even more jobs for the members we serve. This is one way by which DREMC can contribute to these efforts.”

Both DREMC and TVA funded the total $25,000 contribution to area chambers with matching $12,500 donations. Several chambers of commerce in the DREMC service area have been awarded funding with each being presented a portion of the total donated funds to support economic revitalization and job growth in their communities. Other chambers receiving a portion of the funding include the Maury County Alliance, the Franklin County Chamber, the Manchester Chamber, the Shelbyville/Bedford County Chamber and the Marshall County Chamber.

“On behalf of the Lynchburg Metro-Moore Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses, we would like to thank DREMC for their generous donation,” said Chamber President Keith Moses. “These funds will be used to reinvigorate our local economy following the difficult challenges we have been faced with due to the unprecedented pandemic.”

This is the second COVID-19 relief contribution made by DREMC. In June 2020, DREMC made a $60,000 donation to their residential electric bill assistance program, Project HELP, which has supported hundreds of families facing financial instability. (To read our coverage of Project Help, click here). •

{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Moore County … covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, the Lynchburg Music Fest, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}