Twenty-one public power communities received “Awards of Excellence,” an annual competition in which cities apply for awards in the following categories: Grassroots/Building Political Strength; Economic Development; Communications; Customer Service; Key Accounts; Energy Efficiency; and Training.
The Grassroots/Building Political Strength award recognizes efforts by the city in legislative issues important to public power, initiation of local grassroots events, and participation in federal and state legislative events. Fayetteville PWC, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Kings Mountain, Lexington, Newton, Rocky Mount and Wake Forest received Grassroots/Building Political Strength awards.
The Economic Development award recognizes initiatives by the city in economic development efforts, including industry recruitment leading to job creation, and implementation of economic development studies. Cherryville, Concord, Fayetteville PWC, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Newton, Rocky Mount, Tarboro and Wilson received Economic Development awards.
The Communications award recognizes outstanding customer communications, including the use of bill inserts to communicate information to customers, use of innovative strategies to communicate policies, production of a newsletter or e-newsletter, assignment of a public information officer, and completion of a coordinated communications plan. Apex, Cherryville, Concord, Fayetteville PWC, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Newton, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Tarboro, Wake Forest ,Wilson and Winterville received Communications awards.
The Customer Service award recognizes outstanding customer service efforts, including residential customers programs such as medical alert, payment assistance, bank draft program, and energy efficiency options. Also included in the criteria is designation of a central point of contact for commercial customers and holding a customer appreciation event. Albemarle, Apex, Concord, Fayetteville PWC, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Newton, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Tarboro, Wake Forest, Wilson and Winterville received Customer Service awards.
The Key Accounts award recognizes efforts by the city with their key business customers, including advanced training by key account representatives, implementation of a key accounts business plan, communication with key accounts customers, and locally-sponsored events. Albemarle, Fayetteville PWC, Gastonia, Greenville Utilities Commission, High Point, Kings Mountain, Lexington, Newton, Rocky Mount, Tarboro and Wilson received Key Accounts awards.
The Energy Efficiency award recognizes efforts by the city with energy efficient building programs, energy education, energy audits and participation in NC Green Power. Albemarle, Apex, Concord, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville PWC, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Newton, Rocky Mount, Shelby, Wake Forest and Wilson received Energy Efficiency awards. Smithfield and Tarboro received Honorable Mention.
The Training award recognizes commitment by the city to ongoing staff education and training by attendance at ElectriCities-sponsored training sessions, completion of a continuing education or tuition reimbursement program, and in-house training opportunities. Albemarle, Cherryville, Concord, Fayetteville PWC, Gastonia, Granite Falls, Greenville Utilities Commission, High Point, Kings Mountain, Kinston, Lexington, Newton, Rocky Mount, Smithfield, Tarboro, Wilson and Winterville received Training awards.