Georgia Power continues its longstanding commitment to give back to the communities it serves, announcing today that the company and the non-profit Georgia Power Foundation together invested more than $17 million in communities and non-profit organizations across the state in 2015. In addition, 6,000 employees and retirees completed more than 160,000 volunteer hours – an all-time record for the company.   

"At Georgia Power, we strongly believe that being a citizen wherever we serve is as much a part of our business as delivering safe, reliable and affordable electricity to our 2.5 million customers," said Mike Anderson, senior vice president of Community & Corporate Relations for Georgia Power. "We have an obligation and a shared dedication to make a positive impact in our communities and 2015 was an outstanding year thanks to the efforts of our employees and retirees."   

The company's community and corporate relations initiatives revolve around five key focus areas: Arts & Culture, Civic & Community, Education, Environment, and Health & Human Services.  In 2015, Georgia Power helped dozens of organizations enrich local communities, as well as the lives of thousands of Georgians. Contributions included:

• $5.8 million for Education initiatives such as the Ron Clark Academy, University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc. and Berry College, Inc. This includes company matched employee donations to 86 institutions of higher education.

• $4.8 million for Health & Human Services such as Eagle Ranch, Inc., American Heart Association, Inc. and United Way.

• $2.9 million for Environmental Stewardship, to protect and enhance Georgia's natural resources, such as Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Inc., Atlanta Fulton County Zoo and Jekyll Island Foundation, Inc.

• $2.3 million for Civic & Community efforts including the Boys & Girls Clubs, Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. and Georgia Cities Foundation, Inc.

• $1.5 million for Arts & Culture including the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc., Woodruff Arts Center and Augusta Symphony, Inc.