300-customer increase seen as a good sign

For the first year since the Great Recession left its mark, Pickens-based Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative recorded an up tick in its customer base. At Blue Ridge’s annual media luncheon, Terry Ballenger welcomed 305 new consumers in 2014 to the retail electric service provider in five Upstate counties. Across Oconee, Anderson, Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg, Blue Ridge counts 64 thousand customers. And, with the construction of new substations in strategically-located areas, Blue Ridge is looking for more. Including, Ballenger said, in Oconee’s Golden Corner Commerce Park—provided speculation about the arrival of a Michelin distribution center turns into reality. 2015 will mark Blue Ridge’s 75th year. There will be several special events, including a video in which there will be re-enactment of a customer receiving electric power service for the first time. That video is to be shown for the first time during Blue Ridge’s annual membership meeting April 30 in Pickens.