SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 17, 1995
THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Kansas
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-3368 44-0236370
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification Number)
602 Joplin Street, Joplin, Missouri 64801
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (417) 625-5100
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5 Other Events
Attached hereto as Exhibit 99 is a press release issued
by the Company on July 17, 1995, announcing the offer by the
Company of an enhanced voluntary early retirement program.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC COMPANY
By V. E. Brill
------------------------
Name: V. E. Brill
Title: Vice President - Finance
Dated: July 17, 1995
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit
Number Description
99 Press Release dated July 17, 1995,
announcing the offer by the Company of
a enhanced voluntary early retirement
program.
<PAGE>
PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 17, 1995
G. C. Hunter Dateline: July 17, 1995
Secretary-Treasurer For Release: Immediately
THE EMPIRE DISTRCT ELECTRIC COMPANY
ANNOUNCES EARLY RETIREMENT PROGRAM
JOPLIN, MO - The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE:
EDE), announced today that it is offering an enhanced
voluntary early retirement program to 53 of its 654
employees. The employees eligible for the program will be
those who will have attained age 55 and completed 25 years
of service by the end of 1995. Employees will have until
August 31, 1995 to make their decision with their retirement
being effective November 1, 1995.
This program is part of an initiative by Empire to
position the Company to be more competitive in a changing
industry. The cost cutting measure is intended to help
Empire better meet competition by providing more cost
effective service to its customers. The Company is also
undergoing an evaluation of its internal organization, the
results of which should be known during the 3rd quarter of
1995.
The voluntary early retirement program could result in
a pre-tax charge of approximately $5.4 million if all
eligible employees accept the program. The Company will
record the costs associated with the voluntary early
retirements during the 3rd quarter of this year. The one-
time costs are expected to be recovered over a period of
approximately 2 years by reduced employee costs commencing
in November of 1995.
Empire supplies electric service to a 10,000 square-
mile area in southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, northeast
Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas. The Company also provides
water service in three incorporated communities in Missouri.
