Empire District Electric issues $60M in bonds

Joplin-based Empire District Electric Co. (NYSE: EDE) issued $60 million in bonds.

The company - which serves roughly 218,000 customers in Missouri, including parts of Greene County, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas - is utilizing The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Co. NA as principal trustee and UMB Bank & Trust NA as Missouri trustee, according to a news release.

The 3.6 percent interest bonds mature Aug. 20, 2030.

Empire District plans to use the proceeds to refinance existing short-term debt and for general corporate cash flow purposes, according to the release.

EDE shares were trading at $23.14 as of 9:30 a.m., compared to a 52-week range of $21.52 to $31.49.