WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Sept. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: [ FE ]) announced today that more than a dozen area contractors have started work to transform the building housing its Potomac Edison subsidiary's regional headquarters into a modern facility featuring newly installed operational systems and energy-efficient technology.

The company's former Williamsport Service Center and central distribution center on Bower Avenue is undergoing a $3 million renovation project scheduled for completion in late 2011. The 30,000 square-foot headquarters will be retrofitted with energy-saving upgrades, including energy-efficient lighting, heating and air conditioning equipment and low-flow water fixtures. The building will house approximately 130 employees working in utility operations, administration, engineering, human resources and external affairs.

"The new headquarters will allow us to cost-effectively consolidate operations from other offices into a central location and help the management team focus on decision-making that benefits local customers and communities," said James V. Fakult, president Maryland Operations. "Providing safe, reliable electric service to our customers is our top priority."

Potomac Edison, a FirstEnergy electric distribution company, serves about 250,000 customers in seven Maryland counties.

The company is utilizing numerous local contractors to complete the construction. A minimum of 20 percent of dollars spent on the project for services and materials will benefit minority business enterprises. Waynesboro Construction Company of Frederick, Md., was selected as the general contractor through a competitive bidding process. Other Maryland firms working on the project or providing services and materials include: Bushey Feight Morin Architects, Hagerstown; RHL Engineering Company, Frederick; Mick's Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Thurmont; J.L. Johnson& Sons Plumbing, Taneytown; Ellsworth Electric, Hagerstown; Hite Roofing, Cumberland; Baltimore-Washington Restoration (masonry), Glenwood; Cavetown Planing Mill, Cavetown; Steel Products, Rockville; Dorsey Bros. Floor & Wall Covering, Hagerstown; Crown Inc. (painting), Hagerstown; and Spectrum Fire Protection, Williamsport.

To accommodate the new utility headquarters, existing warehouse operations in the building will be relocated to an expanded regional FirstEnergy distribution center in Reading, Pa.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies comprise the nation's largest investor-owned electric system. Its diverse generating fleet features non-emitting nuclear, scrubbed baseload coal, natural gas, and pumped-storage hydro and other renewables, and has a total generating capacity of approximately 23,000 megawatts.

[ www.firstenergycorp.com ]

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

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Potomac Edison Upgrades Regional Headquarters

Potomac Edison Upgrades Regional Headquarters

$3 Million Renovation Project Benefits Area Businesses