Entergy Mississippi has been a cornerstone in its 45-county service area for over a century, providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity while actively investing in programs that enhance the lives of its customers and communities.
Today, the company stands out as a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) for its commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at lifting families out of poverty, strengthening education and workforce development, and protecting the environment.
Liz Brister, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, notes, “Entergy is unique in terms of establishing a corporate social responsibility program and sticking with it, year after year, to respond to our customers and communities. We also have an amazing network of nonprofit partners throughout the state who are fulfilling a variety of critical needs. By working together, we’re making a difference by helping the most vulnerable Mississippians.”
Addressing Root Causes of Poverty
Addressing the root causes of poverty became a priority for Entergy under the leadership of Wayne Leonard, who served as president from 1998 to 2013. In 2004, Entergy established a corporate social responsibility group to align charitable giving with initiatives benefiting low-income customers.
Focus on Education
One of the first areas of focus in Mississippi was publicly funded pre-kindergarten. Mississippi lagged behind other states in early childhood education, lacking state-supported pre-K programs. Entergy Mississippi’s early advocacy and investments were instrumental in the development of strategies to expand access to quality pre-K education. In 2013, these efforts paid off when Mississippi passed the Early Learning Collaborative Act, establishing the state’s first state-funded pre-K program.
Since then, literacy skills among students in pre-K through third grade have steadily improved. The Mississippi Department of Education reported that 85% of students passed the Third Grade Reading Assessment in 2022, meeting the highest reading standard ever required under the Literacy-Based Promotion Act.
Career Preparation and Workforce Development
Entergy Mississippi’s commitment extends to helping students thrive beyond pre-K education. They have partnered with the Children’s Foundation of Mississippi to create “Kids to College,” enabling families to establish savings accounts for their children’s higher education. They also collaborate with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to promote STEM and utility careers.
Support for Low-Income Customers
Making bill-payment assistance available for low-income customers is another area where Entergy Mississippi’s support has been vital. Entergy was one of the first companies to advocate for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides financial assistance to eligible households to help pay energy bills.
In 2021, Entergy was recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for its innovative outreach efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform low-income customers about resources and assistance to pay utility bills. The company’s employees, customers, and shareholders also provide emergency bill payment assistance to elderly and disabled Mississippians through “The Power to Care.”
Employee Volunteerism
Employee volunteerism is a key resource in Entergy Mississippi’s CSR initiatives. Employees are encouraged to volunteer during scheduled work hours and are offered 16 hours of volunteer paid time off annually. Through Entergy’s “Community Connectors” program, employees and retirees support various community needs, from stocking food pantries to organizing school supply drives.
Since 2009, Entergy’s tax assistance program has helped return $320 million to 177,000 customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. In Mississippi alone, nearly 40,000 residents have received over $83 million.
Valarie Mabry, Public Affairs Analyst, emphasizes, “We’re able to be leaders in corporate social responsibility because our employees are leaders and doers. Their year-round volunteer efforts make it possible for us to enhance our outreach to those in need. We know we can always count on them because being community-minded is part of their mindset—they’re always looking for opportunities to give back.”
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