October 3, 2025
Starkville Utilities is marking National Public Power Week, Oct. 5–11, by highlighting the local advantages of community-owned utilities: affordable rates, reliable service, responsive support and reinvestment in the community.
As a not-for-profit utility serving Starkville, it has long been recognized for delivering safe, dependable electric, water, and wastewater services while playing a vital role in the city’s growth, quality of life, and economic development.
“We go to work each day with a focus on our customers and responding to their utility needs,” said General Manager Edward Kemp. “Since we operate right here in Starkville and serve our friends and neighbors, we care about things like personalized service, helping people save energy and money and providing the most reliable service possible.”
In addition to meeting the community’s current needs, Starkville Utilities is preparing for the future through its FutureNOW initiative, which includes local investments to modernize services and infrastructure.
Ongoing projects include the revitalization of Highway 182 and Main Street, installation of new aerators at the Ernest E. Jones Wastewater Treatment Plant, and plans to build a new production well to meet growing demand and ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The utility also is investing in the future of transportation with a new EV fast-charging station in downtown Starkville and enhancing service reliability through a comprehensive pole inspection program throughout the city’s service area.
As part of its community commitment, Starkville Utilities has launched The Power of Change, a program that allows customers to round up their bills and donate the difference to the Starkville Community Foundation. Donations stay local and provide direct support to area residents.
To help customers manage their utility budgets, Starkville Utilities offers services such as payment due-date extensions, Budget Billing, Pick-A-Due Date, and energy-saving strategies. Free EnergyRight workshops scheduled this month will equip customers with simple, do-it-yourself techniques to lower heating and cooling costs ahead of colder weather.
Public power also means local control. Starkville’s utility services are governed by the mayor and board of aldermen, in partnership with experienced water, electric, and wastewater professionals. Decisions are made locally—with input from the public—and meetings are streamed on the City’s social media channels to increase transparency and access.
Starkville Utilities also contributes to the local economy, with a workforce of more than 70 employees whose work supports jobs, commerce, and services across the community.
“Our employees are our greatest strength and make it possible to serve customers with integrity and excellence,” Kemp said. “They care about this community, and their commitment shows through in the professionalism they bring to their jobs every day.”
Starkville Utilities is a municipally owned and operated electric and water utility, serving more than 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville as well as the state’s largest institution of higher learning, Mississippi State University.
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Public Power Week is an annual national observance coordinated by the American Public Power Association (APPA), the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power approximately 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. APPA represents public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 55 million people that public power utilities serve, and the more than 100,000 people they employ. It advocates and advises on electricity policy, technology, trends, training and operations. Its members strengthen their communities by providing superior, reliable service, engaging citizens, and instilling pride in community-owned power. More at www.PublicPower.org.