Hoosier Energy garners economic development recognition from another national publication

For the second time in 2005, Hoosier Energy and its member cooperatives have been recognized for their economic development efforts by a national publication.

The power supplier for 17 central and southern Indiana electric cooperatives, Hoosier Energy received Highest Honors in Business Facilities Magazine’s 2005 Utility Honor Roll. The top honors were shared with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Earlier this year, Hoosier Energy was named a Top 10 Utility for the second consecutive year by Site Selection Magazine.

Bloomington-based Hoosier Energy works in partnership with its member electric cooperatives and state, regional and local organizations to promote job creation and retention and capital investment in area communities.

“The directors and management of our member co-ops are responsible for recognitions like this from economic development journals,” said Hoosier Energy Manager of Member and Key Accounts Chuck Martindale. “Our members take an active role in local economic development organizations and understand the importance of good jobs and capital investment to support local communities and their customers.”

Martindale said Hoosier Energy members also understand that reliable electric power delivery and a balanced mix of industrial, commercial and residential energy load helps maintain competitive rates for all customers. “Hoosier Energy’s staff plays a supportive role in their efforts,” he added.

As Touchstone Energy cooperatives, Hoosier Energy members share a fundamental commitment to the economic health of the central and southern Indiana communities they serve.

Hoosier Energy finished second in the Utility Honor Roll to TVA, the nation’s largest public power company, in job creation with 2.7 jobs per 1,000 residents in its territory. Hoosier Energy topped the honor roll in the investment dollars category with $484 of capital investment per resident in its service territory.

Hoosier Energy’s numbers reflect 2004 economic development results for new and expanding commercial and industrial facilities in member service territories.

The list also recognizes Hoosier Energy for “doing an outstanding job of fulfilling its mission to its communities,” according to the magazine’s November issue. “And by the measures we use, it does a fine job of helping business flourish there.”

One of the tools essential to the economic development success of Hoosier Energy and its members is a database of sites and facilities, available at www.hoosiersites.com and www.sitesacrossamerica.com.

Hoosier Energy member cooperatives serve 270,000 consumers in 48 central and southern Indiana counties. The power delivery system includes 1,400 miles of high-voltage transmission lines, 15 primary substations and 240 distribution substations and delivery points. Hoosier Energy produces electricity at two coal-fired generating stations and two natural gas-fired peaking plants. In addition, interconnection agreements with neighboring utilities help ensure reliable power delivery.

Business Facilities, a national site selection publication providing expansion and relocation information and resources, assembles the utility honor roll to recognize utilities that were most successful in attracting jobs and investment in the previous fiscal year.