Community events highlight the benefits of locally owned electricity and the people behind the power
CARTHAGE, Mo. — October 2, 2026 — Carthage Water & Electric Plant (CWEP) invites the Carthage community to celebrate Public Power Week, October 4–10, with free power plant tours, a customer appreciation lunch, online trivia and employee spotlights.
Under the theme “Community Powered. Future Focused.,” the celebration recognizes the value of community-owned electricity and the local employees who help keep Carthage powered every day.
As a locally owned, not-for-profit municipal utility, CWEP puts the needs of its community first. Public power keeps decisions local and focuses on providing safe, reliable and cost-effective service while investing in the community’s future.
CWEP’s Public Power Week activities include:
- CWEP Trivia | October 5–9
Follow CWEP on Facebook @cwep.carthagemo for daily public power trivia, fun facts and chances to win prizes. Participants must be CWEP customers to win. - Carthage R-9 Elementary Coloring Contest
CWEP is hosting a coloring contest with Carthage R-9 elementary schools, with a winner selected from each grade at each school. Winners will receive prizes, and winning artwork will be displayed throughout Public Power Week in the CWEP lobby and at www.cwep.com. - CWEP Power Plant Tours | Tuesday, October 6, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
300 S. River St., Carthage
Take a behind-the-scenes look at how CWEP keeps Carthage powered. Tours are free and open to the public. Parking will be available in front of the power plant, and a guide will meet visitors in front of the Receiving Building to escort them to the tour. - People Behind the Power Employee Spotlights | Throughout the Week
Meet members of CWEP’s Electric Department through social media features highlighting the local people whose work helps keep our community powered. - Public Power Community Lunch | Friday, October 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CWEP East Parking Lot, 627 W. Centennial Ave., Carthage
Join CWEP for a customer appreciation celebration featuring a free lunch, bucket truck rides, pole-top and bucket truck rescue demonstrations by CWEP lineworkers, giveaways and more.
CWEP’s celebration also included a “Public Power Gives Back” Day of Service on September 26, when employees partnered with Vision Carthage for its Restoration Carthage Workday. The volunteer effort reflected CWEP’s commitment to serving Carthage beyond its daily utility operations.
Public Power Week is an annual national observance coordinated by the American Public Power Association to recognize community-owned electric utilities and the customers they serve.
For event information and updates, visit www.cwep.com or follow CWEP on Facebook @cwep.carthagemo.
About CWEP
Carthage Water & Electric Plant is a community-owned municipal utility providing electric, water, wastewater and fiber internet services in Carthage, Missouri. CWEP’s mission is to provide safe, quality, reliable and cost-effective services to the community it serves.