Site Selection magazine has selected its annual Top Utilities in Economic Development, based on the following mix of objective and subjective criteria: Analysis of corporate end-user project activity in 2013 in that company’s territory based on the Conway Data New Plant Database and submitted materials from utilities; website tools and data; innovative programs and incentives for business, including energy efficiency and renewable energy programs; and the utility’s own job-creating infrastructure and facility investment trends.
“Utilities play a key role as participants in the economic development efforts of cities, regions and all areas working to improve their local business climate,” says Mark Arend, editor in chief of Site Selection. “This year’s Top Utilities were particularly successful in this endeavor in 2013.”
Santee Cooper made the list. According to the company’s spokesperson, Mollie Gore, Santee Cooper has awarded $43 million in loans supporting 20 commercial and industrial projects across South Carolina since 2012, part of our board of directors’ initiatives to create jobs throughout the state.
“The loans are helping local governments and economic development organizations build commercial and industrial spec buildings, make utility and other improvements to industrial sites, and even help build a substation serving the inland port in Greer,” Gore stated. “The idea is to create practically move-in-ready sites for industries looking to expand. Santee Cooper’s board also has approved discounted electric rates for eligible industries and supports other initiatives to attract and retain industry.”
The other winning utilities, in alphabetical order, are Alabama Power, Birmingham, Ala.; American Electric Power, Columbus, Ohio; Duke Energy, Charlotte, N.C.; Entergy, New Orleans, La.; FirstEnergy, Akron, Ohio; Florida Power & Light, Juno Beach, Fla.; Georgia Power, Atlanta, Ga.; Gulf Power, Pensacola, Fla.; LG&E-KU, Louisville, Ky.; and Tennessee Valley Authority, Nashville, Tenn.
Those qualifying for Honorable Mention include Ameren, St. Louis, Mo.; CenterPoint Energy, Houston, Texas; ComEd (Exelon), Chicago, Ill.; Hoosier Energy, Bloomington, Ind.; National Grid, Syracuse, N.Y.; Nebraska Public Power District, Columbus, Neb.; NV Energy, Las Vegas, Nev.; Omaha Public Power District, Omaha, Neb.; Santee Cooper/South Carolina Power Team, Columbia, S.C.; and Southern California Edison, Rosemead, Calif.
“This year’s Top Utilities feature some familiar names,” says Adam Bruns, managing editor of Site Selection. “That’s because they not only continue to turn in the numbers year after year, but continue to invest in doing more, and in innovative new approaches to partnering with both companies and communities. In other words, despite regulatory concerns, prices of fuel and a host of other mitigating factors, they mean what they say when it comes to their mission to serve.”
The entire Top Utilities article, entitled “The Shape of Success,” appears in the September 2014 edition of Site Selection and online at www.siteselection.com. Also featured in the issue are related reports on solar energy, infrastructure, logistics, and rural economic development. The issue also contains Site Selection’s annual Canada’s Best Locations Report; international, regional and state spotlights; industry reports; and several of the magazine’s popular Investment Profiles.
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