March 10, 2025
Oglethorpe Power Continues Strong Community Support in Monroe County
Company leaders support new fire station and all-abilities youth baseball field; present check for $3.5 million county tax payment, supporting critical local services
Forsyth, GA (March 10, 2025) – Oglethorpe Power partnered with Monroe County leaders on Friday to celebrate important community milestones and deliver financial support for county projects, highlighting the company’s long track record of supporting the communities where it operates energy facilities.
Oglethorpe Power President and CEO Annalisa Bloodworth attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebratory open house for Monroe County’s new fire station in Smarr, which was constructed on land donated by the company in 2022. Recognizing the critical community need for a new fire station, Oglethorpe Power donated a portion of its land off Rumble Road adjacent to the Smarr Energy Facility, a natural gas-fired power plant operated by the company. During the ribbon-cutting event, Bloodworth also announced a donation of two sets of turnout gear, suits worn by firefighters to provide a barrier against the extreme heat, flames, debris and hazardous elements encountered during firefighting.
“Oglethorpe Power has a decades-long history of partnership with Monroe County. We’re thrilled to have helped make this state-of-the-art fire station possible with our land donation and contribution of turnout gear. It is an honor to have played a role in supporting fire prevention and protection coverage for residents of Monroe County,” said Bloodworth.
Monroe County Fire/EMS Chief Matthew Jackson thanked Oglethorpe Power for its support and generous contributions, which have provided significant cost-savings for Monroe County and will enable rapid response to fire emergencies. “Oglethorpe Power’s land donation allowed us to build our new fire station at the most central location in the county, helping our crews provide fast and effective emergency services to the community,” said Jackson.
Following the ribbon-cutting event, Oglethorpe Power leaders met with Monroe County officials to celebrate the Monroe Champions, the county’s all-abilities youth baseball league. The company presented a donation of $7,500 to contribute to the county’s “Field of Dreams,” an existing baseball and softball field that was transformed into an inclusive complex, including accessible restrooms, wheelchair ramps and flat surfaces to accommodate all players. The field earned Monroe County the 2024 Georgia County Excellence Award from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and Georgia Trend magazine.
“Our Field of Dreams gives every young person in Monroe County the chance to play on a baseball team just like their peers, and it has been life-changing for our youth athletes and their parents,” said Monroe County Commissioner Eddie Rowland. “Thanks to Oglethorpe Power’s support, we were able to enhance accessibility from the parking lot, ensuring players have a smooth, flat surface all the way to the field.”
Earlier in the day, the company presented the Monroe County Tax Commissioner’s Office with a check for its 2024 ad valorem tax payment of more than $3.5 million. As one of Monroe County’s largest taxpayers, Oglethorpe Power’s tax payment will benefit the county’s school systems and local government. Company leaders were joined by representatives from Central Georgia EMC, Southern Rivers Energy and Flint Energies, which provide electric service in Monroe County and other area counties. They represent three of the 38 consumer-owned, not-for-profit distribution cooperatives that own and receive wholesale electricity from Oglethorpe Power.
“While power generation for our members is at the heart of what we do, our focus extends beyond generating reliable and affordable electricity. We know that these dollars go directly back into the community that we love and support critical needs such as local schools and government services for the residents who live and work here,” said Bloodworth.
In addition to operating the Smarr Energy Facility in Monroe County, Oglethorpe Power is a committed co-owner of Plant Scherer Units 1 and 2. In July 2024, the company also announced its plan to construct a new natural gas plant near the Smarr Energy Facility to help meet Georgia’s rising electricity demand. The development of this new facility represents a capital investment of approximately $2 billion in Monroe County.
About Oglethorpe Power
Oglethorpe Power is among the nation’s largest power supply cooperatives and is one of the largest energy producers in Georgia. With more than $16 billion in assets, Oglethorpe Power owns and operates a diverse portfolio of resources to provide reliable, affordable, safe and environmentally responsible energy to 38 consumer-owned, not-for-profit Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) that provide retail electricity to approximately 4.7 million Georgians. Through its investment in nuclear, natural gas, hydro and coal resources, Oglethorpe Power’s generation fleet has a combined capacity of more than 9,300 megawatts. For more information, visit www.opc.com.
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Contact: Blair Romero
Phone Number: 770-270-7290
Email: blair.romero@opc.com