Cookeville breaks ground on new energy department HQ

The city of Cookeville has broken ground on a new Energy Department headquarters, a $23.3 million project that will consolidate the city’s electric and gas divisions into one location. 

City officials said the move will improve efficiency, strengthen customer service and generate long-term savings for ratepayers.

The headquarters will be built on city-owned property along West Davis Road, next to the current Energy Division facility. Once construction is complete, the current Electric Division building will be renovated and incorporated into the project to form a single campus housing both gas and electric services.

Mayor Laurin Wheaton said the project reflects the City’s commitment to modernizing utilities.

“Today we are making history once again with the groundbreaking of the new Energy Department headquarters,” Wheaton said. “This project reflects our city’s commitment to not only improving and expanding our facilities, but also to delivering long-term benefits for our ratepayers and increasing the efficiency of our Gas and Electric Department. I could not be more proud of the vision and hard work that brought us to this moment.”

Cookeville City Manager James Mills called the groundbreaking a milestone for the City.

“We are elated to break ground on the new Energy Department Headquarters, financially, the largest undertaking in the history of our electric and gas utilities,” said Mills. 

“The decision to combine the Electric and Gas Divisions and create the Energy Department a few years ago was predicated largely on the long-term savings for our rate payers,” Mills explained. “Locating both divisions at one location is a major step toward realizing this benefit. We anticipate this facility will serve the department for the next 50 plus years.”

Clark Excavation were the successful bidders for site prep, which is set to begin next week. 

W&O Construction has been contracted for construction of the new headquarters, which is scheduled to start in November. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Once finished, the new facility will bring together both divisions under one roof for the first time in Cookeville’s history.