City of Hendersonville considers $2.3M lighting project with TVA incentives

The Hendersonville Public Works Committee meeting on April 22, 2025, highlighted significant financial developments regarding the city's lighting project, with officials reporting unexpected savings and increased incentives that could benefit the community.

The projected cost for the project has been set at $2.3 million, a figure that includes necessary payments to Nashville Electric Service (NES) for previously installed lights. This cost is crucial as it allows the city to retire ongoing investment charges that have been a financial burden. "It's an opportunity to retire it and get out of that cycle of paying ongoing investment charges," one official noted, emphasizing the importance of this financial maneuver.

In addition to the cost savings, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has recently increased its incentives for such projects, potentially adding around $150,000 to the city's budget. While this amount won't cover all expenses, it represents additional funding that was not previously accounted for.

The meeting also addressed concerns about the jurisdiction of light poles, with officials confirming that the previous issues regarding poles owned by NES have been resolved. The city now has a clearer understanding of the breakdown of pole ownership, which includes NES, CEMC, and city-owned poles. This clarity is expected to streamline the project and enhance its efficiency.

As the committee moves forward, the anticipated annual savings from the project are projected to be around $152,000, a figure that underscores the financial viability of the initiative. The committee's proactive approach aims to optimize benefits for Hendersonville residents while addressing long-standing maintenance challenges associated with the city's lighting infrastructure.