The Tombigbee Electric Power Association is a nonprofit, customer-owned utility dedicated to providing electric service to residential, commercial, industrial and public facilities. On Feb. 26, 1934, a charter was granted to the Lee County Rural Electric Power Association. In June, the Tennessee Valley Authority took over from the Mississippi Power Company lines serving electric customers at Guntown, Saltillo, Sherman, Shannon, Nettleton, Plantersville, Verona, East Tupelo, Auburn, Chesterville and Belden in Lee County and Fulton in Itawamba County. On Oct. 10, 1935, TEPA bought from TVA all of their distribution lines in the area and began operation as a cooperative with 168 miles of line and 151 members. As of April 2007, TEPA has more than 3,800 miles of line, 40,000 customers and 133 employees. The Tombigbee Electric Power Association maintains a location in Tupelo, Miss.