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CPU and Clarksdale Celebrate Public Power Week Oct. 2-8

Local control provides more flexibility, increasing customer satisfaction

Clarksdale Public Utilities is joining more than 2,000 not-for-profit electric utilities across the nation to observe Public Power Week Oct. 2-8. The annual recognition raises awareness about the many ways communities benefit from publicly owned and controlled utilities, such as high reliability, affordable rates, personalized customer service and local investments that drive growth.

“A lot has changed over the past 120-plus years, but our commitment to the community remains the same,” said Curtis D. Boschert, CPU general manager. “Being local allows us to put Clarksdale first and embrace business and technological innovations that make sense for us right here at home, rather than in cities hundreds of miles away.”

Local control also provides more flexibility to respond to evolving needs, increasing customer satisfaction and keeping CPU’s reliability performance among the highest in the state. In fact, improving performance in those three key areas—reliability, innovation, and community focus—are all part of the company’s Bright Future initiative launched in 2019.

Providing excellent service means being prepared to respond 24/7 to storms and other emergencies safely, quickly and professionally. That commitment has been put into action many times throughout CPU’s history and employees remain prepared to mobilize year-round.

What’s more, CPU is always looking for ways to help customers save money. From providing energy-efficiency tips to help lower bills to offering payment options and online account tools that maximize control and convenience, CPU is working to ensure customers get the best value from their local utility.

“Our employees pride themselves in helping our community thrive,” Boschert said. “While they all have different roles to play, our dedicated team members are united around one goal— serving our customers’ needs with reliable, low-cost electric and water services that contribute to our quality of life. That’s the power of public power.”

Clarksdale Public Utilities is a municipally owned utility serving approximately 6,800 homes and businesses in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Its mission is to safely provide sustainable electric, water and wastewater services in a reliable and courteous manner by well-trained team members, committed to top quality, efficient operations, competitive rates and the vitality of the community.

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Public Power Week is an annual national observance coordinated by the American Public Power Association. The American Public Power Association is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. The Association represents public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 49 million people that public power utilities serve, and the 93,000 people they employ. It advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations. Its members strengthen their communities by providing superior service, engaging citizens, and instilling pride in community-owned power. Learn more at publicpower.org.