The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison have been named 2024 Business Customer Champions in a national study conducted by Escalent, a leading data analytics and advisory firm with extensive expertise in the energy and utility industry.

Escalent’s Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement study for business customers scores energy utility providers based on a 360-degree review of how they engage with businesses. The study evaluates 78 electric, gas and combination utilities throughout the United States, assessing factors such as trust, service satisfaction and community support. The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison are among 24 utilities named Business Customer Champions for scoring above their industry peers for demonstrating exceptional engagement among business customers.

“We know that powering businesses is crucial to supporting the communities where we live and work. We are deeply honored to be a trusted partner to the business community and remain focused on providing safe, reliable power while innovating solutions that help them succeed,” said Torrence Hinton, Ohio President.

The report highlights the standout performance by The Illuminating Company and Ohio Edison in key areas, including:

• Great customer service
• Tools and programs to help customers save energy
• Helping customers prepare for emergency situations
• Dedication to the safety of employees and the community
• Easy to understand and manageable monthly bills
• Communication through preferred methods
• Ease of doing business

Escalent’s study also indicated that the 2024 Business Customer Champions demonstrated particularly strong performance among small businesses with less than $500,000 in annual revenue.

All FirstEnergy business customers can access online tools and resources to manage their electric account, including the Business Energy Analyzer to help maximize energy use. Features of the analyzer include:

• A centralized portfolio view to compare usage for multiple accounts
• A bill comparison feature that provides customized tips and insights
• A heat map showing energy demand in intervals

“We continuously work to be a trusted energy partner to our customers. We are committed to understanding the unique needs of businesses and providing them with the tools and resources they need. Strengthening these partnerships is central to how we help businesses thrive in the communities we serve,” said Michelle Henry, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience.