Energy is not the only thing on Paul Bowers’ mind.

While speaking at the Buckhead Business Association’s signature luncheon Thursday at 103 West, the president and CEO of Georgia Power Co. also emphasized how the statewide economy and education are at the core of his mission to build a better future.

Bowers, who has worked with Southern Co., Georgia Power’s parent company since 1979, said the energy his business sells gives him a unique perspective of the economy — from housing vacancy rates to the success of various industry sectors. 

“One thing about our business — we touch millions of customers every day,” he said. “When we get that pulse back [through energy reports], we get a sense of what’s going on from a [gross domestic product] standpoint.”

Bowers said he has seen Georgia’s industrial sector downturn year-over-year by about 3.5 percent, while the building industry is prospering with about a 3.5 percent increase in power use year-over-year, calling this mix of outcomes the result of a “bipolar economy.”

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