Thanks to Contributions from Local Contractors and Businesses, the new Backup Generator will Improve the Quality of Life for Shelby County Residents

The Mid-South Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) association has joined area businesses and independent contractors together in Shelby County to provide all the labor and some of the materials for a much-needed generator to the local government.  Major donors include, but are not limited to, local companies Thomas & Betts, Graybar Electrical Contractors Supply, Anderson Electric, ARC Electric, and more. 

The generator was unveiled this past Saturday, 4/12/08,  at 2:00 p.m. at the office of Construction Code and Enforcement, and Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton spoke to those in attendance about the positive affects the generator will have on both the city and county residents. 

“Upon seeing the after-effects of some of the terrible weather that has plagued our area in recent years, it became imperative to find a way to fix the delays in restoring electricity to our citizens.  But frankly, the cost was more than the county could bear,” said Mayor Wharton.   “The Mid-South Independent Electrical Contractors Association here in Shelby County, organized a campaign to unite businesses, contractors and members to do their part.  The manpower and materials were donated to the county at reduced rates, making this $230,000 project only half of that cost for this county.  We are extremely grateful for these contributions because otherwise, the addition of this generator would not have happened.” 

The IEC realized the value, and also the expense, of the generator to the county, but knew something had to be done to keep citizens safe as bouts of bad storms continue to sweep through the West Tennessee area.  A successful effort to unite contractors and businesses to donate manpower and materials resulted in the unveiling of Shelby County’s newest generator.

“We are truly grateful and pleased to see the private sector of independent contractors and businesses work this close with a municipality to better the quality of life for the residents of Memphis and Shelby County,” said Walt Czyrnik, Executive Director of the Mid-South Independent Electrical Contractors.