Presley: small business incentives save businesses over $1M

JACKSON, MS (WDAM) - This is a news release from the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley announced that due to the success of Commission-led small business aid programs with the state's largest investor-owned utilities, small businesses across the state have saved over one million dollars in less than four years.

The programs were first proposed by Presley in 2011, and have been renewed annually since. The incentives have helped 2,820 Mississippi "mom and pop" businesses save $1,213,039 in utility costs by way of reduced rates and alternative deposit options.

"These are the people creating jobs, staying in Mississippi and hiring Mississippians. They don't move to China and Mexico and we should continue to help them open up, expand and create jobs.  I urge each utility company to annually renew these incentives to ensure we are helping our Main Street businesses," Presley said.

Entergy Mississippi was the first utility in Mississippi to make the program a permanent part of its business operations. Other utilities are making plans to extend the incentives into the future as well.

In effort to make more businesses aware of the available assistance and to announce the renewal of the incentives, Presley will discuss the programs' success today at Old 82 Restaurant located at 400 Main Street in Columbus and Bim Bam Burgers located at 312 South Gloster Street in Tupelo. These businesses, among many others, have benefited from the plan.

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