HATTIESBURG, Miss., Nov. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- South Mississippi Electric today announced that, effective immediately, the company has changed its name to Cooperative Energy. Company leaders say the new name better reflects the Hattiesburg-based cooperative's mission and broader business model in the energy sector.

The name and new logo were revealed to more than 400 employees in attendance at the company's All Employee meeting held at Hattiesburg's Lake Terrace Convention Center. Cooperative Energy is a not-for-profit, member-owned, community-driven generation and transmission cooperative that provides electricity to 11 distribution cooperatives.

"Changing a company name is always a major step, but we are confident this was the right thing for our company, our mission and those we serve," said Cooperative Energy President/CEO Jim Compton. "We have grown our energy resources, we have grown our geographic service area and honestly we outgrew our name. Cooperative Energy is a name that better defines who we are as a company."

The company now operates in 55 of the state's 82 counties, and also owns a generation facility in Batesville in north central Mississippi. The company, started in 1941, has expanded its renewable energy and solar generation focus in recent years adding to an already diverse energy portfolio.

The new logo tells the company's story in a simple, graphic way. Falling inside a state map, a blue field represents the service area of the company's 11 Member cooperatives. It stretches from the Delta to the Coast. A white "swoosh" represents a power line sending energy across the Mississippi landscape. An energy burst salutes the generation and transmission headquarters in Hattiesburg and symbolizes the flow of energy to the 11 distribution cooperatives that serve our members.

The company's website address is www.CooperativeEnergy.com, replacing the previous www.smepa.coop.

"What will remain the same is our focus to deliver affordable, dependable and safe energy," said Compton. "This name change will in no way affect our service to our members. Our company is celebrating its 75^th anniversary this year, and we have been successful by putting our members first. This will remain our focus with our new name for the next 75 years.  We are celebrating the past and embracing the future."

Cooperative Energy will continue its mission of working with the Power of 12 (Cooperative Energy and 11 Member electric cooperatives), providing electricity from the Mississippi Delta to the Coast. The 11 distribution cooperatives own and maintain approximately 56,900 miles of distribution lines and provide service to approximately 423,000 homes and businesses throughout 55 counties in Mississippi.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161108/437074LOGO

SOURCE Cooperative Energy

Related Links

http://www.cooperativeenergy.com