MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Thursday, Aug. 2, marks Northern Indiana Public Service Company’s 100th year. During the coming week, NIPSCO will celebrate the milestone alongside employees and communities.

“Much of our success over the past 100 years stems from the customers we’ve had the privilege of serving and the strong partnership we have forged with communities,” said NIPSCO President and CEO Jimmy Staton. “We have the honor of fueling progress, not only by supplying natural gas and electric service, but also by providing jobs to thousands of residents and supporting charitable organizations. And, we look forward to powering the lives of northern Indiana residents and businesses into the next century.”

In 1912, NIPSCO’s predecessor, Calumet Electric Company, was incorporated by a group of Gary businessmen to supply power for the expansion of the Gary Railway Company.

The company’s family tree dates back further, to 1853, when the Fort Wayne Gas Light Company was established, serving a community of 4,300. Another NIPSCO predecessor, the South Bend Gas Light Company, was established in 1868 by the Studebaker brothers, of carriage and later automotive fame.

NIPSCO and its predecessors witnessed some of the most significant technological advances in the energy industry. Today, NIPSCO provides electric and or natural gas service to more than 785,000 customers in 30 counties of northern Indiana.

Celebrating Customers and Communities
This Thursday, NIPSCO will host a Centennial Community Celebration at the company’s Merrillville headquarters. As part of the celebration, the company will present the inaugural NIPSCO Luminary Awards to four community leaders or organizations in northern Indiana. These individuals or groups have demonstrated commitment to strengthening our communities in the areas of Education, Environment, Emergency Response and Community Leadership.

Staton added, “The Aug. 2 event celebrates the community partners that have been so important in our company’s history. We hope the Luminary Awards will become a legacy NIPSCO will carry forward for the next 100 years.”

At the event, NIPSCO and South Shore Poster Arts management will unveil the newest in the South Shore poster series. Commissioned to honor NIPSCO’s 100-year history, the poster was created by Michigan City artist Neil Kienitz.

Other centennial initiatives include establishing a charitable giving campaign in support of Boys & Girls Clubs across northern Indiana, the resurrection of the NIPSCO parade float and the creation of a pilot customer appreciation program.

Celebrating Employees
NIPSCO employees will host gatherings across the company’s northern Indiana service area to celebrate 100-year milestone. Each employee will receive a copy of the centennial South Shore poster and a commemorative book chronicling the company’s history.

As a special honor alongside parent company NiSource, a group of NIPSCO employees will ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 1.

Source: NIPSCO