Coast Electric Power Association

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2006, 2007, & 2008
Selected for the third consecutive year as one of the Best Places to Work in Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal.

History

Coast Electric's Historic Timeline

1935	President Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) in May 1935, recognizing the need for government involvement in electrifying rural America.
1937	Hancock Electric organizes to electrify rural Hancock County. Meanwhile Gulf Coast Electric is busy signing up members in Harrison County.
1938	General Manager Vickers resigns. C. Clifton Ferrell named replacement.
1939	A merger is completed creating CEPA. The co-op serves rural members residing in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River Counties.
1948	General Manager Ferrell resigns after leading the Association for 10 years. Hardin Shattuck named new General Manager.
1949	First three-phase service is set in Picayune to WRJW Radio Station.
1950	November 4 - Dedication of new headquarters building on Hwy 90 in Bay St. Louis. The modern building houses the co-op's administration offices, billing and engineering departments. Coast Electric serves over 4,800 members.
1952	Electricity for the entire system was obtained at Picayune; Landon was second; then Derby, then Bay St. Louis and finally North Biloxi.
1957	Total number of members - 6,963
1958	Major chain grocery store comes online in Bay St. Louis.
1961	December 4 - First refund of capital credits totaling over $70,000 to 3,125 members receiving service 1944, 45, 46.
1964	Celebration of Coast Electric's 25th Anniversary. Average monthly bill: $10.60. Average cost per kwh: .0250.
1969	Hurricane Camille devastates distribution system.
1971	Dedication of new headquarters building located on Hwy 90.
1973	Henry Thomas named General Manager. Coast Electric recognized for 364,309 consecutive man hours worked with no lost time accidents.
1978	Coast Electric changed electric bills to postcard form to reduce costs.
1984	Began offering electronic funds transfer. Coast Electric maintained 83 company vehicles.
1985	Picayune branch opens drive-thru.
1986	Robert Occhi was appointed General Manager.
1987	Opened Poplarville office. Began participating in NRECA Youth Tour.
1989	Coast Electric members received $438,000 in capital credits.
1990	Began Good Cents energy efficiency program.
1991	North Hwy 49 Gulfport office grand opening.
1993	The Association converted from yellow to white vehicles.
1994	Coast Electric named Business of the Year.
1996	Coast Electric vehicles traveled over 2.2 million miles.
1998	Hurricane Georges' damaging winds caused 95% of Coast Electric's 58,000 members to lose power.
1999	SCADA system put into place.
2000	Summary billing was introduced.
2001	GIS system was installed.
2002	Ground breaking at Bernard A. Mutter, III Operations Center
2005	On Aug. 29, Hurricane Katrina devastates the Mississippi Gulf Coast and 100 percent of Coast Electric's members are left without power. Coast Electric employees, along with more than 3,200 crew members from 19 states work to restore power to all members in only three short weeks after the nation's most devastating natural disaster.
2006	Coast Electric is recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of the Best Places to Work in Mississippi.
2006	Coast Electric sells its headquarters facility to the city of Bay St. Louis. The cooperative moves its headquarters to the Bernard Mutter Operations Center in Kiln, Miss.
2007	Coast Electric is once again named one of the Best Places to Work in Mississippi by the Mississippi Business Journal. It is the cooperative's second consecutive year to win the award.
2008	Coast Electric is named one of the Best Places to Work in Mississippi by the Mississipip Business Journal for an unprecedented third consecutive year.