CEO’s Report: Telling your public power story

Your Community. Your Utility. Your Power.

That is this year’s theme for Public Power Week, coming up October 4-10, and it’s a great opportunity to remind your customers what makes public power different. 

This year’s theme says a lot in just six words. It’s a simple reminder that municipal electric utilities belong to the communities they serve.

They aren’t owned by investors or shareholders. They’re locally owned and managed, and decisions are made with the community in mind.  

That local ownership creates a direct connection between the community and its electric utility. Customers have a voice in how their utility operates and how it serves the community today and into the future. 

Telling your story

The strongest public power stories are often the ones happening right in your community. Instead of simply telling people why public power matters, ask yourself: What does public power make possible in your community?

Your Community.

What has your electric utility helped your community accomplish?

• Have you helped a new business open or an existing business expand?
• Have you supported a community project, park, school or local organization?
• Have you helped make an important community investment possible?
• Have you provided a service or program that makes life a little easier for your customers?

Your Utility.

What does your community count on you for?

• Who answers the phone when a customer has a question?
• Who is there when the power goes out?
• How have your employees gone above and beyond to help a customer or community?
• How does your utility work with city leaders and other community departments to plan for the future?
• What are you doing today to make sure your electric system will continue serving the community for years to come?

Your Power.

What are the tangible benefits of having a locally owned electric system?

• Where do revenues from the electric system go?
• How has local ownership allowed your community to make decisions based on its own needs and priorities?
• What investments have been made in the electric system or other community needs?
• How does having a local utility give your community a voice in decisions about its electric service?

These are the stories worth sharing. A photo of a project, a customer thank-you, a community investment or a behind-the-scenes look at your utility can help bring the value of public power to life.

If you’re not sure how to get the message out, let us know. We are happy to help. Heartland can help you find the stories, develop the message and provide ideas or resources you can use to share it with your community.

Heartland also provides a variety of resources to help you tell that story. You’ll find social media content and print materials that are easy to access and share.

Each of our customers will receive five yard signs featuring this year’s Public Power Week slogan. Put them in front of city hall, along busy streets or anywhere else they’ll get noticed.

Heartland will also share Public Power Week content on our social media channels that you can share on your city or utility pages.

As always, we’ll submit advertisements to your local newspapers, along with letters to the editor, highlighting the benefits of community-owned utilities.

Public power is more than electricity. It’s about local ownership, local decision-making and keeping the benefits of the electric system close to home. You know your customers, understand your community’s needs and have a direct connection to the people you serve. 

That’s a story worth telling.