Southern Bancorp opened a new solar energy project on July 17 in Marianna, in partnership with Entegrity of Little Rock.
The project includes a 1.5 MW-DC solar array with a 1.13 MW-AC capacity and is expected to produce approximately 2.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Over the system’s 30-year lifespan, the project is projected to generate approximately $7.9 million in utility savings for Southern Bancorp while locking in an electric rate of approximately $0.02 per kilowatt-hour for participating branches.
“Projects like this show how organizations can take control of long-term energy costs while making a meaningful investment in their communities,” said Flint Richter, business development executive at Entegrity. “Southern Bancorp has demonstrated real leadership through this project, and we’re proud to help bring a solution to the table that supports both operational resilience and long-term financial stability.”
John Olaimey, president and CEO of Southern Bancorp Bank, said the initiative demonstrates how purpose and performance can work together.
“By investing in sustainable infrastructure, we’re reducing our long-term energy costs and increasing our energy independence – resources that we can reinvest into our mission and generate more paths to opportunity in the communities we serve,” he said.
Southern Bancorp recently announced plans to change its name to Uplift Bank , beginning in fall 2026, pending regulatory approval. Southern Bancorp, chartered in Arkadelphia, is one of the nation’s oldest and largest Community Development Financial Institutions.
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