Georgia Power is closing its Cornelia business office. The office, where customers currently can go to pay their electric bills, is scheduled to close to the public on October 20th. Local manager Brent Edwards says employees will continue to work out of the Cornelia office after that time but customers will have to go elsewhere to pay their bills.
“Over the past decade, payment transactions have shifted from traditional business offices and mail to electronic payments (online, mobile and automatic draft) which currently accounts for more than 50% of all payments,” Edwards explains. “The changes will better allow us to meet the changing needs of our customers and provide them with world class service at the lowest possible rates.”
The Cornelia office is one of 104 Georgia Power business offices across the state scheduled to close as part of an effort to update the company’s business model and cut costs.
Statewide, twenty-seven business offices will remain open including those in Athens and Gainesville.
What does it mean for customers?
Georgia Power intends to offset the inconvenience of its shift away from rural business offices by expanding its network of Authorized Payment Locations (APL’s). The company currently has a network of 2700 APL’s across the state with plans to increase that number to 5300.
Already, customers in Habersham can pay their bills at several local businesses including Ingles, Walmart, Kmart and Rite Aid. Once the business office in Cornelia closes, customers who choose to pay in person must go to one of these or other participating APLs.
For more on Georgia Power’s alternate payment locations in Habersham, click here.
What does it mean for employees?
The organizational changes could affect a small number of local employees and around 270 statewide. Edwards says the affected employees will be given the opportunity to apply for other jobs within the company. He adds, “The operations portion (Line Crew) of Georgia Power will remain the same in Cornelia and our customers can continue to expect the same level of service and reliability that they are accustomed to.”
While Georgia Power is changing with the times from a business perspective, Edwards stresses the company is not changing its approach to civic involvement and charitable giving. “From a community standpoint, it’s important for everyone to understand that we aren’t going anywhere,” he says. “Georgia Power will continue to be “A Citizen Wherever We Serve”. We are committed to the continued support of our communities through economic development efforts along with all of the other things we do to help improve the quality of life in Habersham County and throughout the state.”
To apply for electrical service or for help with your account, contact Georgia Power’s Customer Care Center to speak with a representative. Residential customers can call 1-888-660-5890 24hrs/7days and business customers can call 1-888-655-5888, M-F/8am-6pmEST.
