가스 냄새가 나거나
긴급 상황인가요?
By Greg Henderson, President & CEO of Southeast Gas
On November 3, we had the opportunity to exercise one of the greatest privileges afforded to us as Americans: the right to vote. As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, this election is another reminder of the freedoms we enjoy and the responsibilities we share in shaping the future of our communities.
Elections come every couple of years, but the work of serving our communities is constant. Whether welcoming newly elected leaders or continuing relationships with those returning to office, we have an opportunity to strengthen the partnerships that help our communities grow and prosper.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working alongside many mayors, legislators, state officials, and community leaders who care deeply about the places they serve. While our responsibilities and perspectives may differ, I have learned that we accomplish far more when we take the time to understand one another and work toward common goals.
Southeast Gas was created to help Southeast Alabama grow, and we can’t do that alone. Strong relationships are not built overnight, and we cannot expect to establish meaningful connections with public officials and business leaders if we only reach out when there is a problem to solve. Those relationships must be cultivated through regular conversations, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen, especially when we do not agree on every issue.
As a utility, Southeast Gas works closely with public officials on infrastructure, energy policy, economic development, and the long term needs of our communities. Having these established relationships helps us identify opportunities to work together for the benefit of those we serve.
Perhaps the best example of this is economic development. When a company considers expanding or building a new facility, much more is involved than finding a suitable piece of property. Businesses must consider workforce availability, transportation, infrastructure, utility services, and the overall cost of doing business.
For many industries, access to natural gas is a necessity. Over the years, we have partnered with cities, counties, and the State of Alabama to make natural gas available at industrial parks throughout our region. We also work alongside state and local economic development partners on commercial and industrial site selection, helping communities prepare for and compete for new investment. Having the necessary infrastructure in place, along with a utility provider willing to work with local leaders, can make a meaningful difference in attracting prospective employers.
Across Southeast Alabama, we have seen what can happen when municipal leaders, state officials, economic development organizations, and utilities come together with a common purpose. Sometimes that means finding creative ways to extend infrastructure, working through complicated project requirements, or coordinating resources to make an opportunity possible.
But economic development is not just about attracting new businesses. It is equally important to support the industries already operating in our communities.
Throughout my career, I have seen major industrial employers in our service area face the possibility of closing or relocating. Through the collective efforts of local utilities, municipal officials, and industry leaders, those operations were able to remain in our region. Our team has also worked to secure continued funding and support for Fort Rucker, one of our area’s major employers.
Beyond retention efforts, we have committed time and resources to helping existing industries expand production, creating economic benefits throughout our region and beyond. These efforts help preserve existing jobs while creating new opportunities for skilled workers and their families.
The relationships that make these efforts possible are equally important when it comes to public policy. Decisions made in Montgomery and Washington directly affect energy affordability, infrastructure investment, and economic growth. Maintaining open communication with elected officials helps ensure they understand how those decisions affect the communities and industries we serve.
That same spirit of cooperation was reflected in the recent Southeast Policy Summit. The event brought leaders together to discuss issues affecting our region and strengthen the partnerships that are so important to its continued growth.
As we move forward, I believe our greatest opportunities will come from working together, building on the relationships we have established, and remaining open to new partnerships.