Powered By Purpose: Celebrating National Co-op Month
By Tara Miller, Manager of Communications
Electric cooperatives across the United States celebrate National Co-op Month in October, reflecting on the unique advantages of being part of a cooperative. It’s also a great time to thank our members who make it all possible. For us, it’s not just a celebration. It’s a chance to reaffirm the values that guide everything we do.
At Central Electric, we see purpose in action all the time. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our co-op doesn’t exist to make profits for shareholders. We exist to serve our members, our neighbors and our communities. That purpose is what sets us apart. It’s why we were founded, and it’s what continues to drive every decision we make.
Being a cooperative means we are member-owned and locally controlled. That’s our business model. Members have a voice in how the co-op operates. You elect board members who live right here in our service area and understand the unique challenges and opportunities our communities face. Decisions aren’t made in corporate offices hundreds of miles away; they’re made at home by people who care about the same things you do.
This local accountability means we can stay focused on what matters most: delivering safe, reliable electricity and providing real value to the people we serve.
We do that by investing in essential infrastructure upgrades and technologies that strengthen our ability to provide electric service. We work hard to manage costs and keep rates fair, because we know how much rising prices affect our members. And when storms hit or outages occur, Central Electric’s crews are here and ready to respond quickly, because we live here too.
But our commitment extends well beyond delivering electricity, as you may know. Our Service Department offers heating and cooling services, electrical wiring and appliances, because co-ops were built to help meet community needs. Central Electric also supports communities through Operation Round-Up® grants and educational outreach programs.
Your electric co-op is also planning for the future. As demand for electricity grows due to new technologies, farming advancements and economic development, co-ops are working to ensure we continue to meet those needs with a balanced, reliable energy mix.
That’s the power of the cooperative difference. That’s what it means to be powered by purpose.
During National Co-op Month, we encourage you to take pride in your cooperative membership. You’re not just a customer, you’re an owner, a stakeholder and a vital part of a larger effort to keep our community strong, connected and energized.