Public Power Communities Receive “Building Strong Communities” Awards; COVID-19 Assistance Programs

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) today recognized 22 public power utilities with “Building Strong Communities” awards for their efforts to provide their local communities extra services and programs above and beyond what they normally supply.

The awards were announced at the FMEA Energy Connections Virtual Conference, which runs through Friday.

Winners were selected for community programs that included: environmental improvement, community education, public safety, charitable donations and sponsorships and other special services, such as lighting ball fields and playgrounds, parade and festival participation and building car and phone charging stations. 

Efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic were also recognized. Public power utilities across the state suspended disconnects for unpaid bills, waived late and reconnect fees and offered payment assistance plans to help customers financially impacted by the pandemic.

“Public power utilities have always been community-focused and invested in programs that give back to their communities. This year, with the pandemic impacting nearly every facet of our daily lives, public power utilities have found many ways to assist their communities during this difficult time. From easing financial hardships for customers to providing distance learning resources to students and teachers to providing food for those in need, public power utilities have stepped forward to help community members navigate the challenges COVID-19 has brought,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “We thank all the winners for doing what they do best by putting the community they serve first.”

This year’s recipients are: 

• Beaches Energy Services
• City of Blountstown
• City of Bushnell
• City of Chattahoochee
• City of Homestead
• City of Lake Worth Beach
• City of Leesburg
• City of Mount Dora
• City of Newberry
• City of Quincy
• City of Tallahassee
• City of Wauchula
• City of Winter Park
• Fort Pierce Utilities Authority
• Gainesville Regional Utilities
• JEA
• Keys Energy Services
• Kissimmee Utility Authority
• Lakeland Electric
• Ocala Electric Utility
• Orlando Utilities Commission
• Utilities Commission of New Smyrna Beach