Public Power Is Community Focused — and the Stories That Prove It

Why Local Control Matters

As the electric industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, one truth remains constant: Communities are stronger when they have a voice in the resources they rely on every day.

This belief has been at the heart of public power for more than a century and what inspired AMP’s 2026 multimedia campaign — Public Power Is Community Focused.

Public power is fundamentally different. Municipal electric utilities are locally owned, governed by community leaders, and are accountable to the people they serve. Decisions aren’t driven by shareholders — they’re guided by local priorities, values and with an eye toward long‑term community well‑being. That local connection is the reason that public power works.

Throughout 2026, AMP is spotlighting this public power difference by featuring our Members and the communities they serve through a multimedia campaign designed to tell real stories, from real places, with real impact. Through videos, stories, social media posts, and visual graphics, Public Power Is Community Focused will highlight the strong relationship between public power systems and the communities they power every day. It will highlight the community benefits of public power, such as reliability and being locally owned and operated by showcasing how public power supports education, businesses and community groups.

Public Power’s Role in Cleveland’s Theater District

A great example is AMP’s interview with the leaders at Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, the largest theater district outside of New York City. With 12 performance spaces, Playhouse Square draws more than 1 million visitors each year. What many don’t see behind the stage lights is the strong relationship the district has with Cleveland Public Power:

How Local Utilities Reinvest in the Communities They Serve

Across AMP’s Member footprint, we see examples every day of how community‑owned electric utilities deliver value far beyond electricity. Reliable power keeps manufacturers, universities and hospitals running, classrooms connected, and businesses open. Local control ensures that decisions align with what matters most to residents in that community while planning responsibly for tomorrow. And because public power utilities are local, dollars can stay in the community — supporting programs, partnerships and projects that strengthen quality of life.

That support shows up in meaningful ways: Participating in school programs and offering scholarships and internship opportunities. Helping businesses grow and attract new economic development. Providing assistance to community groups that bring neighbors together and meet local needs. Public power is an example of how infrastructure can be both essential and human.

Public power utilities are not just service providers: Those who work at these utilities are neighbors, partners and stewards of the communities they serve. Those they serve are people they might see at a Friday night football game or at church on Sunday, underscoring the transparency, accountability, and community focus that is a hallmark of public power.

Over the coming year, I invite you to follow the campaign Public Power Is Community Focused as AMP brings more stories to light. If you’re a Member or a community leader, I encourage you to share your public power connections and perspectives. Together, we can elevate the voices and stories that too often go untold.

Because public power isn’t just about electricity.

It’s about communities — and the people who make them thrive.