Georgia Natural Gas Donates $500,000 to Zoo Atlanta

ATLANTA, Nov. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Georgia Natural Gas' commitment to community outreach, the company will present Zoo Atlanta with $500,000 in support of Zoo Atlanta's Grand New View capital campaign. The donation will support Zoo Atlanta's revitalization of the historic Cyclorama building, making it a one-of-a-kind event destination overlooking a new African Savanna where the zoo's African elephants and giraffes will roam. Other transformations will include a grand entry plaza from Cherokee Avenue, following the demolition of the Zoo's present administration building. The project is estimated for completion in 2019.

"Georgia Natural Gas believes in giving back to the communities where we live, work, and operate," says Michael Braswell, president of Georgia Natural Gas. "The Zoo connection really runs deep for our company and employees, since we have volunteered there for over a decade. We are excited to be able to make this contribution to Zoo Atlanta, which will help further their ability to serve Georgians."

"Thanks to good corporate citizens like Georgia Natural Gas, we not only met, but exceeded, our financial goals for completing the Grand New View: Elephants, Events and Expansion campaign.  We're deeply grateful to Mike Braswell, Drew Evans and everyone at GNG for this donation," said Raymond B. King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta.

"As president and CEO of Southern Company Gas and board chairman of Zoo Atlanta, I am extremely grateful for the generous gift Georgia Natural Gas has chosen to donate to the Zoo," said Drew Evans. "Zoo Atlanta is the community's zoo, and this gift will allow the Zoo to serve the Atlanta community in a greater capacity for years to come."

Georgia Natural Gas is a premier natural gas marketer, serving approximately half a million customers. Georgia Natural Gas is actively engaged in the community with a community service focus on children and education; seniors; energy assistance; and environment and sustainability initiatives. 

For more information regarding Georgia Natural Gas, please visit https://gng.com/about-us.

About Georgia Natural Gas
Georgia Natural Gas is a leading provider of natural gas to homes and businesses in Georgia. Georgia Natural Gas is part of SouthStar Energy Services, a preeminent retail natural gas marketing company operating in nine states. Based in Atlanta, SouthStar manages a portfolio of brands across its retail footprint including Georgia Natural Gas in the state of Georgia, Nicor Advanced Energy and Nicor Solutions in Illinois, and in other states, Ohio Natural Gas, Florida Natural Gas, Maryland Energy and Grand Rapids Energy (Michigan).  SouthStar also does business in Tennessee and the Carolinas and in other parts of the southeast as SouthStar Energy Services. For more information visit: www.GNG.com.

About Zoo Atlanta
Viewed as one of the finest zoological institutions in the U.S. and a proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta has a mission to inspire value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family experiences. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. The Zoo's newest destination, Scaly Slimy Spectacular: The Amphibian and Reptile Experience, featuring more than 70 species in a 111,000 square-foot complex, opened in 2015 and is the world's first LEED Gold-certified reptile and amphibian exhibit. Zoo highlights include giant pandas, including a set of twins born to Lun Lun in September 2016; North America's largest zoological population of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Up-close-and-personal animal experiences include behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters with African elephants, Aldabra giant tortoises, lemurs and warthogs. Zoo Atlanta is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.

About SouthStar Energy Services
SouthStar Energy Services (SouthStar) is a preeminent retail natural gas marketing company operating in nine states. Based in Atlanta, SouthStar manages a portfolio of brands across its retail footprint including Georgia Natural Gas in the state of Georgia, Nicor Advanced Energy and Nicor Solutions in Illinois, and in other states, Ohio Natural Gas, Florida Natural Gas, Maryland Energy and Grand Rapids Energy (Michigan).  SouthStar also does business in Tennessee and the Carolinas and in other parts of the southeast as SouthStar Energy Services. For more information visit: www.southstarenergy.com.

About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company.  Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.5 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in seven states and more than 1 million retail customers through its companies that market natural gas and related home services. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate gas pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit Southern Company Gas at southerncompanygas.com

SOURCE Georgia Natural Gas