About Paris BPU
Established in 1938, Paris Board of Public Utilities (Paris BPU) is a municipal utility authority providing electric, water, and wastewater services to residents and businesses in Henry County, Tennessee. Created to promote economic development and enhance quality of life, Paris BPU delivers reliable, safe, and affordable utility services to more than 23,000 homes and businesses across the community.
For more than 8 decades, Paris BPU has remained focused on dependable service, responsible stewardship, and long-term value for the people it serves.
History
The Paris Board of Public Utilities was officially established in December 1938, though electric service existed in Paris well before that time. Prior to 1926, the City of Paris owned its electric system, which was later sold to Kentucky-Tennessee Light and Power.
Over time, city leaders recognized that:
- Kentucky-Tennessee Light and Power lacked the financial strength to expand service beyond a limited footprint.
- The city sought access to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power.
- With the nation struggling through the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal led to the creation of TVA in 1933, with a mission to improve economic conditions and quality of life across the Tennessee Valley—particularly in rural areas.
John Sweeney, the City Engineer for Paris, played a pivotal role in reclaiming local control of the electric system. Kentucky-Tennessee Light and Power did not want to sell just 1 of their small systems. So, Mr. Sweeney, with the help of TVA, devised a plan where all 28 West Tennessee communities would buy back their systems collectively.
Going into 1938, it appeared the City would in fact be able to purchase the electric system back from Kentucky-Tennessee Light and Power. In October 1938, the City of Paris created the Board of Public Utilities to operate and manage the electric system and the small water system that the City owned.
Formation of the Board
The Board held its first meeting on Monday evening November 7, 1938 at 7 p.m. at City Hall (located on the south side of the court square) next to the post office where FirstBank is currently located. The City appointed a three-person board:
- W.C. Leach, Chairman – Owner of Paris Radio Company
- B.M. Neese – City Commission Representative
- T.M. Mayo – Insurance Salesman
John Sweeney was named the first superintendent (now called the General Manager). Joining him in bringing the Board of Public Utilities to fruition were 11 Kentucky-Tennessee Light and Power employees who became BPU employees:
Curtis Workman, Malissa Humphreys, Ira Melton, Nell Tucker, Charles Robertson, Jimmy Cooper, J.O. Tucker, Russell Ramsey, Arch Smith, and George Combs Sr.
Early Operations & Growth
Unlike today, where Board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, Board meetings were held the first Friday night of the month at 7 p.m. It was not unusual for there to be multiple meetings in a month. On December 13, 1938, the Board met twice in 1 day, discussing CSA and a $200,000 bond issue for purchase of the system.
On December 28, 1938, the purchase of the electric system was finalized in Nashville at 4 p.m., ending a decade-long effort to return the system to local ownership. A celebration took place that night at 10 p.m. at the City Auditorium.
In early 1939, Paris BPU began expanding electric service into rural areas and growing the city’s water system.
On April 18, 1939, in a meeting at Routon, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Bowden were the first family to sign up for rural electric service.
Serving the Community Today
From serving approximately 2,200 customers in 1939, Paris BPU has grown to serve roughly 23,000 electric customers today, along with approximately 5,500 water customers and 4,600 wastewater customers.
While the system has grown significantly, Paris BPU’s commitment to safety, reliability, and affordability has never changed—and it remains focused on serving Paris and Henry County for generations to come.