Coldwater Board of Public Utilities Recognized with National Community Service Award

COLUMBUS, OHIO: American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) is pleased to announce that the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities (CBPU), was named a 2026 Sue Kelly Community Service Award recipient during the American Public Power Association (APPA) National Conference, which took place June 26 through July 1 in Boston.

The award recognizes utilities for good neighbor activities that show commitment to the local community.

Established in 1891, the CBPU provides essential utility services to about 8,200 customers and is invested deeply in the city’s social, educational and economic development. Among may other initiatives undertaken in 2025, the utility responded to data indicating that one in four students lacked essential school supplies by organizing a School Supply Drive; provided take-home materials for intergenerational learning through the use of APPA’s Monster Detective Collective initiative in third-grade classrooms and a special education high school; addressed declining literacy rates by partnering with local organizations to renovate a community park and playground, installing new lighting poles and a StoryWalk along newly paved paths; and strengthened youth development through its sponsorship of a 1.5-mile obstacle course fundraiser for the high school’s Interact Club.

“The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities is a model for community service in public power,” said Jolene Thompson, AMP President/CEO. “Their commitment to enriching the lives of Coldwater residents is always on display. They are a deserving recipient of this award, and we congratulate them for proving that public power is community focused.”

In addition to the previously mentioned programs, CBPU employees read to children in local elementary schools during Reading Month in March, assisted the local fairgrounds by replacing poles at the amphitheater, hosted two blood drives, hung community holiday decorations and organized a Toys for Tots collection, sponsored numerous local events, raised donations for the benefit of local charities, and more. In 2025, the CBPU provided more than $28,000 in sponsorships to 26 organizations; employees volunteered more than 456 hours of service and personally donated almost $10,000 in cash along with contributions such as toys and school supplies to local groups.

APPA is the service organization for the nation’s more than 2,000 community-owned electric utilities that serve more than 55 million Americans.

View the official APPA news release here.