As we celebrate National Co-op Month, its the perfect time to reflect on how we stand apart from other businesses. Born when big utilities refused to serve rural areas, co-ops stepped up to power farms, homes, and small towns transforming communities and leveling the playing field with their city neighbors.

Today, electric co-ops support local jobs, community growth, and economic health by investing in projects like broadband, helping new businesses start up, and backing local schools, teams, and food pantries. They even return leftover money to members through capital credits.

We offer programs like Youth Tour, Camp Kilowatt and other local youth initiatives that help shape tomorrows leaders while inspiring young people to invest back into their hometowns.

So yes, co-ops light up communities with safe, reliable power and high-speed fiber internet. But their real power lies in the many ways they energize the people, places, and futures they serve.