Utilities

Businesses in Tippah County can power their operations with confidence, supported by robust, redundant, and affordable utility infrastructure. Our utility providers are committed partners in economic development, offering competitive industrial rates and the high-speed connectivity required to compete in a global marketplace. This modern framework ensures that your operational needs are met with reliability and cost-efficiency from day one.

Low-Cost, Reliable Electric Energy for Your Operations

Electrical service is provided by the Tippah Electric Power Association (TEPA), a cooperative that is part of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) public power partnership. This partnership ensures access to a diverse and exceptionally reliable energy portfolio, keeping your business running without interruption. For industrial users, TEPA offers a highly competitive average rate of just 8.34¢ per kWh, providing a significant cost advantage for energy-intensive operations and enhancing your bottom line.

World-Class Connectivity in the Heart of the South

Tippah County actively defies the stereotype of rural connectivity. Significant local investment in fiber optic infrastructure ensures that businesses have access to the high-speed, reliable bandwidth necessary to thrive in the digital age.

Gigabit Speeds: Whether locating in Ripley, Walnut, or other parts of the county, your business can access gigabit fiber speeds. Multiple providers, including TEPAConnect, MaxxSouth Broadband, and AT&T, offer fiber-optic internet with symmetrical speeds of 1 Gbps and beyond, suitable for data-heavy applications, cloud computing, and advanced manufacturing processes.

A Local Commitment to the Future: The proactive investment by our local electric cooperative, TEPA, into its fiber subsidiary, TEPAConnect, is a profound statement about our community’s commitment to future-ready infrastructure. This initiative ensures a long-term, locally-owned focus on providing and maintaining state-of-the-art fiber internet service, turning a potential concern for businesses into a major competitive strength.

Safe, High-Quality Water & Sewer Services

Municipalities like the City of Ripley and the Town of Walnut provide modern, well-managed water and sewer systems with the capacity to support industrial growth. Our commitment to quality is documented in annual Consumer Confidence Reports, which consistently show that our water systems meet or exceed all federal and state safety requirements. In fact, reports for water systems across the county confirm no contaminant violations, and the City of Ripley’s wells are rated as having a moderate susceptibility to contamination, reflecting the safety and purity of the water source. This reliability is paired with affordability; the City of Ripley’s residential water rates, for example, begin at just $12.50 for the first 2,000 gallons, demonstrating a low-cost framework for residents and businesses.

Affordable & Dependable Natural Gas Service

Natural gas service is provided by local municipalities, including the City of Ripley, with a focus on safety, reliability, and transparent pricing. The state’s utility infrastructure has been proactively reviewed by the Mississippi Public Service Commission to ensure resilience and reliability in the face of extreme weather events, giving businesses confidence in the continuity of service. For planning purposes, the City of Ripley offers a clear and upfront connection fee structure, starting at $200 for the first 100 feet of line, while gas rates vary monthly based on market cost, ensuring a transparent pricing model

Power Your Growth in Tippah County

Reliable and affordable utilities are the backbone of a successful operation. The Tippah County Development Foundation can provide detailed, site-specific information on utility capacities and connect you with local providers to ensure your infrastructure needs are met. Contact us to learn how our utility framework can benefit your project.