Entergy Ranks Again as National Leader in Economic Development

BEAUMONT, October 16, 2012 - For the fifth consecutive year, Entergy Corporation has been recognized as one of the top 10 utilities in North America for its work to support economic development. The recognition comes in the September 2012 issue of Site Selection magazine, which highlights Entergy’s private-sector facility investment of more than $2.3 billion along with the creation of 8,877 jobs in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

“Successful economic development is always a team effort, and every year Entergy partners with a number of entities across our service area to attract new business, retain existing businesses and help companies grow,” said Michael Barnhill, director of economic development, Entergy Texas, Inc. “We are encouraged that our participation makes a positive impact on our state’s economic future, and will continue to provide leadership and investment to help strengthen local economies and bring jobs to our communities.”

Among other accomplishments, Entergy Texas’ economic development group partnered with state and local allies to locate the Pandora Methanol facility in Beaumont. The company invested $232 million to refurbish a plan that had been mothballed, creating more than 600 construction and 120 permanent jobs. In Conroe, they worked with the Economic Development Council bring Stainless Steel Structural to Conroe Park North.

Also, Entergy has identified significant growth opportunities in Texas industries such as renewable energy, solar, wind, energy efficiency, green building, sustainable transportation, algae, biofuels, bio-mass and the environment. Entergy Texas is working with public and private leadership, economic development and workforce development specialists, and educational partners such as Lamar, Sam Houston and Lone Star College on plans to recruit and grow the green economy within the region.

Site Selection magazine bases its ranking on a variety of criteria, including job creation, capital investment, and innovative programs and incentives for businesses such as energy efficiency and renewable-energy programs. The magazine also gathers input from leading site-selection consultants and interviews with company executives.

Entergy Texas provides electricity to more than 400,000 customers in 27 counties. It is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including more than 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power, making it one of the nation’s leading nuclear generators. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.