HISTORY Dyersburg Electric System is a public utility owned by the City of Dyersburg, Tennessee. The City's electric operations began in 1902 when it bought an existing light & water plant from Frank Shepard for $8,759.00. The distribution system has expanded into the surrounding rural area as demand for services developed. By 1955 the demand for electricity had outgrown the City's generation capacity. The City closed its generating plant in August 1957, after entering into a twenty-year contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority to supply Dyersburg Electric System's power needs. Under terms of the contract, TVA supplies Dyersburg Electric System with power at a wholesale rate, which in turn is sold to the public at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business practices. The current contract contains a five-year notice of cancellation clause. Stability has been a hallmark of DES. In its 98-year plus history ther have been only three general managers. But changes in our business environment and competitive pressures dictated a need for a change in direction. In 1988 we made significant changes which included a major stategy shift to become more business like. Additionally we: improved system reliability, became more customer oriented, better utilized employee skills and knowledge, and decided to contract non-technical work and do technical work with DES employees. These changes were difficult but necessary to make DES competitive. Being the only electric provider in the area makes us aware of the responsibility to the community to provide competitive, reliable service.