Ocala Electric Utility Celebrates Being “Community Powered” During Public Power Week

During Public Power Week, Oct. 7 – 13, Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) will join with public power utilities across the country to celebrate being “Community Powered,” a recently launched national campaign that communicates the value public power utilities offer their customers and communities.

Community-owned, not-for-profit public power utilities power homes and businesses in 2,000 communities across the U.S. – from small towns to large cities. They safely provide reliable, low-cost electricity to more than 49 million Americans, while protecting the environment.

These utilities generate or buy electricity from diverse sources. They employ 93,000 people and earn $58 billion in revenue each year. Public power supports local commerce and jobs and invests back into the community.

“The power to shape where and how our electric utility is run is in our community’s hands,” said Mike Poucher, Director, Ocala Electric Utility. “In addition to creating important moments that power the community, OEU supports local jobs and invests its revenues directly back into our local economy.”

In Ocala, OEU serves 50,000 customers and employs 123 area residents. For 120 years, OEU has made it possible for residents of Ocala to own and control its power. OEU is one of 34 public power utilities in Florida, collectively serving more than more than 1.3 million customers and employing 5,400 Floridians.

Additionally, OEU is recognizing Public Power Week by hosting a Customer Appreciation Day Friday, Oct. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave.

Public Power Week is celebrated the first full week of October every year to help customers and stakeholders understand how they can better engage with their community-owned utility and benefit from all its offerings.