Q+A with Brian Bolling
CFO AND SUPPLY CHAIN OFFICER
Who is BrightRidge?
BrightRidge is your local, not-for-profit public electric utility. Originally known as Johnson City Power Board, we’ve been delivering electric services in this region since 1945 and have provided state of-the-art broadband service since 2019 with the launch of our internet division, BrightRidge Broadband. BrightRidge is one of 153 power companies throughout Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, Virginia, and Kentucky that purchase electricity from TVA. We distribute electricity to approximately 83,800 metered locations throughout our service area. BrightRidge is the tenth largest power distributor in TVA’s service area and ranks as the 38th largest public power utility by customers served, as reported by the American Public Power Association. BrightRidge Broadband was the first internet provider in the region to offer up to 10 Gig internet to its residential customers. Our fiber optic network is robust and reliance, serving over 17,000 customers with internet, telecommunications, and advanced data services.
How did BrightRidge get started?
In early 1945, the Tennessee Valley Authority acquired East Tennessee Light & Power Company. TVA began selling portions of the newly acquired distribution networks to local communities. On June 18, 1945, BrightRidge came into existence when the City of Johnson City approved a resolution, where City Officials executed and delivered to the Tennessee Valley Authority a sales agreement for the purchase by Johnson City of an electric distribution system serving portions of Washington, Sullivan, Greene, and Carter Counties, and the Johnson City Power Board was formed. In March 2017, Johnson City leaders advocated for state legislation to adopt a new, more flexible business format, which resulted in a modern energy authority charter. Following this charter, the Johnson City Power Board became the Johnson City Energy Authority. On Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at a special called Board Meeting, the Johnson City Energy Authority changed its name to BrightRidge. BrightRidge has remained a not-for-profit, local power company since 1945.
What is your mission?
Our mission is to empower our customers’ connection to the world by offering efficient, reliable energy and connective services, while promoting community growth and economic development. And that’s what you’ll see our over 200 employees doing every day in the communities, counties, and cities we’re privileged to serve here in northeast Tennessee.
What are some current initiatives?
Our commitment to our customers and community is evident in our local reinvestment electric infrastructure and fiber optic infrastructure. In the last five years alone, we have invested more than $50 million in fiber optic infrastructure and more than $89 million in electric infrastructure. During this period, BrightRidge has installed more 105 intellirupters which are automated distribution switches that help improve reliability by detecting and isolating outages. This restores electricity more efficiently and faster. Recently, BrightRidge Broadband launched a new 2.5 Gig residential internet product to give customer another speed choice between our 1 Gig and 10 Gig products. We recently launched a redesign of website www.BrightRidge.com introducing a new streamlined site to improve access for customers. During 2025 and 2026, BrightRidge will be expanding broadband to unserved areas of Washington and Greene Counties through a Middle Mile broadband grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development. The State’s broadband grant is $6.68 million and BrightRidge’s matching portion $2.86 million for a total investment of $9.54 million. Phased construction started in October in the following order: areas south of Fall Branch, South Central, areas near Bowmantown, Lamar community, south of Jonesborough (Mill Springs Road, Bennett Road), and south of Gray (Buckingham Road, Sanders Road, and half of Buffalo Ridge Road). This project will take approximately two years to complete. These areas were selected based on a lack of broadband internet availability according to guidelines provided by Tennessee EC&D’s Broadband Office.
How has BCS helped you?
BrightRidge is required to have an independent annual audit by various entities, including the State of Tennessee and our federal regulator, the Tennessee Valley Authority. Rather than dread seeing our BCS auditors arrive for a new audit, we view the audit as an opportunity to validate the things we are doing right and to gain ideas and suggestions for financial improvement. Having an audit performed provides the credibility and and endorsement to our organization, which is important to a public organization like BrightRidge. BrightRidge appreciates and values the professionalism of BCS staff in performing the audit and yes, we look forward to working with them each year.
