Baker Engineering, a division of Deviney Utility Services, has been selected by Mississippi Power to provide meter reading services for its 192,000 customers. The new contractors, who began working in the company’s Coast division last month, will begin their duties with Pine Belt division customers beginning Monday, April 12.

“Meter reading is a function we’ve outsourced for more than ten years,” said Kurt Brautigam, company spokesman. “Contracting this part of our business is particularly efficient, and we believe this partnership with Baker Engineering will provide excellent service and results for our customers.”

All Baker employees will drive small white pickup trucks with signs displaying the Baker Engineering company logo. Meter readers will wear gray shirts and blue hats also marked with Baker logos. At any time they will be able to display identification for both Baker Engineering and Mississippi Power.

“We want our customers to be aware of this change and know that Baker employees are our official representatives in the field,” said Brautigam. “Any customers who have questions or concerns should not hesitate to call our toll-free customer service line at 800-532-1502.”

Service areas in Mississippi Power’s Pine Belt division affected by the change include Hattiesburg, Petal, Picayune, Poplarville, Purvis, Lumberton, Columbia, Sumrall, Bassfield, Seminary, Laurel, Ellisville, Sandersville, and Waynesboro.

Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, serves customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties.

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