Staff Reports

The Fort Payne Improvement Authority (FPIA) recently partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to provide financial assistance to Fort Payne City Schools.

The city schools are the third recipient this fall to receive Community Care Fund donations from FPIA and TVA.

The Community Care Fund began as a way to help agencies and organizations meet expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program continues today as an effort to strengthen communities across the Tennessee Valley region.

FPIA General Manager Mike Shirey, along with board members Robbie Davis and Monia Smith, presented the funds on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Fort Payne City Schools Board of Education Chambers. Receiving the check on behalf of the school system were Tara Johnson, chief school financial officer, and Superintendent Brian Jett.

TVA and FPIA share a long-standing economic and environmental partnership. TVA was created in 1933 to provide communities with a reliable supply of power and continues to serve the public through initiatives such as the Community Care Fund, which matches donations with local power companies like FPIA.

FPIA has partnered with TVA for more than 80 years and remains committed to serving the community as a public power provider. FPIA is one of 153 local power companies that distribute TVA power throughout the Fort Payne region.

Through the Community Care Fund, TVA and its partner utilities donate to local organizations across seven states. In addition to Fort Payne City Schools, recent 2025 recipients include the DeKalb County Children’s Advocacy Center and Marked for Life Ministries.