DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne Utilities has made it into the same league as the New York Jets.

The AFC East division?

Not exactly.

But both organizations have been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the best small and mid-sized places to work in the country in 2010.

They are among 18 others that have won the 2010 Top Small Company Workplaces competition and will be featured in the June issue of Inc. magazine hitting newsstands this week.

“This year, Winning Workplaces, received nearly 500 applications, which were pared down to 40 finalists,” said Kenneth Lehman, founder and chairman of the organization. “A national panel of experts in leadership and small business judged the finalists using quantitative and qualitative criteria related to workplaces that engage employees and deliver successful business results.”

This process led to the top 20 companies being named “winners” to be featured in the June issue of Inc.

“People want employers who care for and challenge them. And they want those employers to be financially healthy so they can keep caring for and challenging them far into the future. The 2010 Top Small Company Workplaces do just that. Their stories are models of smart management and enlightened leadership,” said Jane Berentson, editor-in-chief of Inc. magazine.

Daphne Utilities is the only utility company to ever be selected as a finalist or winner in this program in the eight years the competition has been held. It’s also the only company from the South to be chosen this year. 

“To be recognized as running one of the best places to work in the country is a great reflection on our company and the entire city of Daphne as well,” said Rob McElroy, general manager of Daphne Utilities.

“At a time when our residents face all kinds of concern, from the oil spill to the economy, I think everyone can take comfort knowing that we have one of the best run companies anywhere in the country right here at home working for them every single day.”

The common characteristics of the Top Small Company Workplaces include people working as a team, open communications throughout the company, and investing in each employee’s career development.

All finalists were scrutinized through a series of due diligence interviews with randomly selected employees, as well as customers and business advisors.

In the article on Daphne Utilities, the magazine notes, “the company allows employees with divergent job descriptions to split their duties for all kinds of personal reasons—for example, a receptionist works part time as a meter reader because she likes being out in the sunshine.”

Among several awards captured in recent months, Daphne Utilities was also recently named as the Best Large Groundwater Utility in the eight southeastern states by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.   

Daphne Utilities serves approximately 11,000 water, 10,000 sewer and 4,000 gas customers. Its five-person board comprises chairman Bob Segalla, Councilman Ron Scott, Lon Johnston, Mayor Fred Small and Fenton Jenkins.