OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 28, 2025) – The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) recognized Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) with a “Building Strong Communities” award for making valuable investments that enhance the quality of life in its community beyond efficient delivery of affordable and reliable energy.

This award highlights public power utilities that go above and beyond by implementing programs and projects focused on community education, environmental improvement, crime prevention, charitable efforts, and other initiatives that strengthen local communities.

“Earlier this month, we celebrated national Public Power Week, which recognizes the role and contributions of public power utilities within their communities,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA executive director. “We used the opportunity to highlight the many benefits public power utilities provide their communities and residents. What stands out most is the services public power utilities and their employees provide beyond their day-in and day-out responsibilities. It’s everything they do that goes the extra mile. That is exactly what we are recognizing today with our Building Strong Communities awards. We congratulate all of the recipients, including Ocala Electric Utility.”

OEU was announced as an award recipient today at the FMEA Energy Connections Conference and Trade Show in Jacksonville. OEU joins 18 other community-owned Florida public power communities in receiving this award.

Florida’s 33 public power serve more than 4 million residential and business customers. They range in size from small towns to some of Florida’s largest municipalities. Statewide, they employ more than 5,800 Floridians.

Here in Ocala, OEU serves over 57,000 customers, and has been a community pillar for 127 years, providing affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible power. With 125 employees, OEU supports a customer base that values local ownership and control over its energy future.

For more information, please contact Ocala Electric Utility at 352-629-2489.

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