Public utilities provide electric, gas, water or telephone service to customers in a specified area. Utilities have a duty to provide safe and adequate service on reasonable terms to anyone who lives within the service area on without discriminating between customers. Because most utilities operate in near monopolistic conditions, they can be heavily regulated by local, state, and federal authorities. Generally, the local and state agencies are called Public Service Commissions (PSC) or Public Utility Commissions (PUC). Municipal Utilities and Rural Electric Cooperatives may be unregulated though.
Helmsburg (also Helms) is an unincorporated community in southern Jackson Township, Brown County, Indiana, United States. It lies along State Road 45 north of the town of Nashville, the county seat of Brown County. Its elevation is 666 feet (203 m), and it is located at 39°15′55″N 86°17′34″W / 39.26528°N 86.29278°W / 39.26528; -86.29278 (39.2653258, -86.2927693). Although Helmsburg is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 47435. The children of Helmsburg are served by Helmsburg Elementary School. Industry in Helmsburg includes Bill Pool and Sons Sawmill, Electric Metal Fab producing stainless steel equipment for the food and pharmaceutical industries, and For Bare Feet Sock Factory, which notably makes many of the socks, headbands, and wristbands NBA players wear during games. Interesting sights in Helmsburg include the Helmsburg General Store, Helmsburg Antiques, and Figtree Gallery & Coffee Shop which includes an art gallery, Star Wars memorabilia display, and uniquely painted zebra stripe fire engine. Travelers to Helmsburg may find accommodation at McGinley Vacation Cabins or in nearby Beanblossom or Nashville, Indiana. Areas surrounding Helmsburg are heavily forested, much of this being Yellowwood State Forest. Local wildlife includes whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, squirrel, turkey, fox, woodcock, raccoon and opossums. . Residents participate in numerous outdoor recreations including hunting in Yellowwood State Forest, fishing in Yellowwood Lake and Beanblossom Creek, and hiking on Ten O'Clock Line and Tecumseh Trails nearby.