Columbia Power & Water Systems (CPWS) has continued to solidify its continued efforts to being good community partners with area nonprofit organizations, schools and the business community through a multitude of different avenues.
At its May board meeting, CPWS welcomed Habitat for Humanity of Williamson and Maury Counties CEO Kim Randell to speak about their efforts in Maury County. CPWS Board Chairman Walker Vining and CPWS CEO Jonathan Hardin each expressed their gratitude for the organization’s work in the community.
“What Habitat for Humanity means in the community cannot be overstated,” Hardin said. “There are fewer and fewer affordable housing options in our community. Anything we can do to help them be successful, we will do.”
Randell said the organization builds as many as 20 homes per year in the county, with plans to host a home dedication ceremony of its most recent home on June 14 in Columbia.
“We are incredibly thankful for the partnership we have with CPWS and the commitment it is making to us as an organization to partner with us,” she added.
Two other community partners are Maury Alliance and The Well Outreach, which provides free groceries to families in both Williamson and Maury counties. CPWS hosted a food drive in the last month for employees and customers to show their support for the organization through donation.
The Well Outreach CEO Shelly Sassen was proud to receive the donation from CPWS, saying, “The generosity of Columbia Power & Water Systems goes a long way with our organization to meet the needs of our clients. It takes a community to feed a community, and the community at CPWS is appreciated.”
For Maury Alliance, the partnership runs deep and a three-year commitment to promoting a new initiative by the economic development arm of the organization. As the focus on industry changes in Maury County, so do the needs of those industries, and CPWS is looking forward to moving the county forward in that regard.
“Over the years, CPWS has not just been a supporter of our organization, they have been a true partner. In addition to their investment into the work we do, their staff serve on our board, various councils and committees, and work tirelessly to assist us with our economic development projects,” said Wil Evans, Maury Alliance CEO. “We consider CPWS a valued member of our team when it comes to the work we do.”
With these partnerships, the level of community support at CPWS has never been greater.
“It is our mission to make sure we are doing our part to give back to the community when possible and making Maury County a place where we can all be proud to call home,” Hardin said.
Most recently, CPWS donated school supplies to Highland Park Elementary School from donations made by employees, along with a company match, ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
“Our community trusts us to be good stewards. Through the generosity of our employees and the dedicated staff at CPWS, we are happy to support the work of area non-profit organizations and help kids in the community be as prepared as possible for the school year,” Hardin added.
