Spire Energy’s rural economic development initiative serves three states
Spire recently broke ground at an Alabama poultry farm as part of its rural economic development initiative—a project to bring abundant, affordable, efficient and reliable natural gas to chicken farmers and residents in three states.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Ranburne, Alabama, poultry farm of Eric Lovvorn, whose farm will be served through the first phase of Spire’s project in Alabama. Lovvorn and other local poultry farmers tell Spire they are excited to be one step closer to having access to natural gas. For years, they have relied on propane to maintain the proper temperature in their chicken houses—a process the poultry farmers say is made cumbersome by the inconsistent cost and availability of propane. The cost and reliability of natural gas makes it a much better option for them, they say.
The Alabama expansion supports Spire’s ongoing agricultural and rural economic development and includes projects in Missouri and Mississippi.
“As an energy provider, we recognize the importance of supporting agriculture and the farmers who work diligently to meet the needs of people and communities,” said Patti Reardon, Spire manager of business development. “Providing these farmers with affordable, reliable and sustainable natural gas is critically important for the poultry industry and means a lot to them and to the state overall.”
Last summer, Spire was certified to deliver natural gas in many areas of Lawrence County, Missouri, where local poultry farmers express they have faced the same concerns about propane usage. “Having access to natural gas will reduce the costs of our farming operations significantly and put money back into our pockets,” said Justin Bellis, who farms in Lawrence County. “We spend about an hour each day checking propane levels in our tanks. Propane also has to be delivered, which requires scheduling and coordination. Now, with natural gas, we will have continuous access to fuel without the hassle.”
Spire has a team dedicated to helping poultry farmers who want access to natural gas. The team hopes to help more farmers in the future.
In Mississippi, Spire also has the green light to construct a pipeline extending 2.7 miles into the westward part of its service territory along U.S. Highway 98. The new pipeline, currently underway, will expand natural gas service for residential customers and commercial businesses in that area of rural Mississippi, where regional leaders expect to see future growth.