Community Involvement

Ripley Power & Light is involved in its communities in many ways. Whether it’s lighting for City Park in Ripley or working to attract a new industry, Ripley Power & Light considers itself a partner in helping its communities. Here are some of the ways it is involved…

• Economic growth is a priority. Working with TVA, West Tennessee Industrial Association and state and local officials, Ripley Power & Light is prepared to give prospective industries any information they need about locating in its service area. At the same time, the utility makes sure it has the infrastructure in place to meet industrial needs.
  
• The utility maintains street and traffic lights for Halls, Henning, Gates and Ripley.
  
• Ripley Power & Light offers scholarships to Lauderdale County students who attend Dyersburg State Community College and the University of Tennessee Martin-Ripley Center. Each school has a total of $7,500 in scholarship monies allocated each academic year. To apply, contact each school's Financial Aid Office. (Grateful students have sent "thank you" notes to the utility. Stephanie Shoemake wrote: "Thank you so very much for my scholarship this semester. This helps so much." Lorine Hall wrote: "I would like to personally thank you for your donation of scholarship funds. I greatly appreciate your help in the betterment of my education, as well as my future. Nursing is my major, and your funds will help enormously.")
  
• Employees give talks to schools and organizations about electric safety.
  
• Ripley Power & Light works with its communities to install outdoor lighting where needed. This includes the walking track lights in Ripley’s City Park, floodlights for the Cleveland Street Park in Ripley and ballpark and walking track lights for Critchfield Park in Halls. Recently, the utility installed a 1,000-watt floodlight for the skateboard track at Critchfield Park and several street lights on the road that leads to the skateboard track.
  
• The utility helps its communities in other ways, such as putting up Christmas decorations or making sure the constructon of the Alex Haley Museum had its electric utilities in a timely manner.
  
• Ripley Power & Light administers the Plus One Program at no cost for those in need who cannot pay their utility bill. Customers are encouraged to donate to the Plus One Program through their monthly electric bill.
  
• Ripley Power and Light Company paid the City of Ripley $350,451.99 in lieu of taxes in 2009.
  
  For more information, contact Ripley Power & Light at 731-635-2323 or 731-836-7595.