Since 1939, MLGW has provided electricity, natural gas, and water service for residents of Memphis and Shelby County.

[1] Natural gas is the most common means of residential heating in the MLGW service area.

MLGW provides natural gas to more than 313,000 customers in Shelby County.

[4] The city later purchased the local portion of the electrical system of the Memphis Power and Light Company in 1939 for $15 million[5] and formed the MLGW Division.

[4] From 1937 to 1970, the department was headquartered at the historic Scimitar Building at Madison Avenue and Third Street.