Presley Wants Incentives Extended

JACKSON, Miss. — In a series of letters sent today to the heads of major Mississippi electric and natural gas utilities, Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley called for the companies to extend the sign-up periods for new small businesses who want to take advantage of the companies’ small business incentive programs.

Some utilities’ programs are set to expire with a take-service date at the end of this year. The incentives, which include offerings of reduced rates and waived security deposits, have saved over 1,600 small businesses in Mississippi more than $600,000 since inception, making the incentives the most successful utility rate program for small businesses in America.

Presley introduced the idea of small business incentives in 2011, and since then utilities have extended the programs annually.

“Small Businesses don’t ship jobs to China and Mexico, they create jobs in Mississippi communities. We should do everything possible to help them open up, expand and create jobs. That is why I am calling for our major utilities to extend these incentive so we can help Mom and Pop shops around this state.” Presley said.

With Mississippi recently ranked as having the highest unemployment in America, Presley said small businesses will help the Magnolia State recovery economically, “While Wall Street gets bailed out, Main Street seems to get piled on, at every turn. This program is targeted squarely at Mom and Pop businesses who want to open up or expand.”

Earlier this year, Presley held a series of meetings across the state’s Northern District with local business owners and utility representatives to spread the word about the effectiveness of the programs.

“My contact with the customers whose businesses have been aided by these programs only confirms their success,” Presley wrote.

“These small business owners are the backbone of our state’s economy. They are the folks at your service station, local diner and Main Street businesses. They have no lobbyists, yet they are, many times, the ones putting people to work. I want to make sure they get help doing that.” Presley said.

Those interested in the incentive packages offered by the state’s major utilities can find the programs by visiting the Public Service Commission’s Small Business Help Center at www.psc.state.ms.us

Categories: Local News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *