Interview with John Cartwright, June 18, 2018

Interview Summary

John Cartwright, a former employee of the TVA, begins the interview by recalling how he was hired at the TVA. Cartwright's work on the Town Lift Program (which was his first assignment) is discussed, focusing upon the city planning aspect of the program. Town Lift is also compared to other similar beautification programs. Cartwright's career is outlined. Additionally, the interviewee provides a history of the Tellico Dam area. The dynamics of the tri-county area are also included. The process of buying farmland from farmers to make way for the Tellico reservoir is examined. The political context during the 1970s in relation to the Tellico Dam is provided. Cartwright explains what happened to farmers who leased their former lands from the TVA when the Tellico project was to be completed. Cartwright articulates his work with the development of the Tellico Dam land-use plan and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Programs created by the TVA and USAID for energy conservation and economic development that Cartwright participated in are considered, including projects in the Philippines, Portugal and Thailand. Program requirements for the USAID and TVA programs, as well as the political context surrounding the initiatives is assessed. Cooperation on programs between the TVA and the UN are detailed. The interviewee's role in the Business Development Program are reflected upon. To conclude the interview, Cartwright shares his most important accomplishments at the TVA and the impact that the TVA has had.

Interview Keyword

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Town Lift Program Tellico project Managing Energy and Resource Efficient Cities Business Development Program Seven Cites Program Community involvement Downtown revitalization Developing countries

Interview LC Subject

Tennessee Valley Authority Tennessee Careers Tellico Dam (Tenn.) Economic development Community development Farmers Public lands United States. Agency for International Development City planning Regional planning Energy conservation Philippines Thailand Portugal United Nations European Union

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.