Video: ‘Hire Mississippi’ Will Give More Opportunities For Local Businesses To Get Utility Related Contracts

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – A new rule approved by the Public Service Commission is expected to increase business opportunities for Mississippi based companies

The PSC has unanimously passed the “Hire Mississippi” rule.  That measure is designed to allow more Mississippi based companies to get involved in the bidding process for utility contracts.

Under the rule,  rate regulated, investor owned utilities will have to track how and when the companies are attempting to award contracts to businesses in the Magnolia state.

Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley says operations and maintenance expenses for the five major electric and gas utilities was $810 million  in 2016.  He says only a small percentage of contracts went to Mississippi companies.

“We want to see an increase to work for Mississippi companies, seeing more Mississippians hired, that 810 million dollar figure by the way doesn’t count construction, that’s just operations and maintenance, so we know there’s a market and we want to increase the number of businesses that are bidding,” Presley said.

Under the “Hire Mississippi” rule, utilities are required to publish notices in newspapers quarterly to notify local companies of opportunities to be considered for contracts.    That rule goes into effect September First.