Mississippi Power’s Picayune office will close on October 8.

Mississippi Power Spokesperson Jeff Shepard said that an announcement was made in June concerning the company deciding to operate offices only in the state’s three largest and most used areas. Those offices are located in Gulfport, Hattiesburg and Meridian, he said.

Shepard said the decision to close the other offices was made based on the fact that about 60 percent of the company’s customers interact with them electronically.  In response, the company is redirecting resources, he said.

“Each year more and more customers are choosing to do business with us either online, through our app or paying through their bank’s app,” he said.

Although the company is closing the office in Picayune, customers can still pay their electricity bills at one of the many authorized payment locations in Picayune, Shepard said. Authorized Payment Locations are typically found in large retailers. 

There are 1,500 authorized payment locations statewide. To find one that is nearby, customers can visit mississippipower.com/apl.

Paying a bill at an Authorized Payment Location will incur a fee of $1.50.

Customers can continue to pay their bills or have questions answered at the Picayune location until October 8, Shepard said.

“You will still see Mississippi Power trucks in town… we will still be involved in the community we serve,” he said.

By switching those services to the Internet, lower Mississippi Power will be able to lower operating costs, Shepard said.

A $2.25 fee will be charged on any debit or credit card payment made through the website, he said.

To avoid a fee once the office closes customers can mail a check, use a bank application, sign up for autopay, pay their bills online using a checking or savings account information, or by stopping in one of the remaining offices, Shepard said.

With the closing of numerous Mississippi Power offices, staff will be reduced. 

Shepard said he could not accurately predict how many people will lose their jobs, or what will happen once those offices close. However, he said that some may chose to retire, or apply for different roles at Mississippi Power, or with the parent company, Southern Company.