HCREMC CEO Melissa True (second from left) speaks with fellow cooperative leaders at the NRECA Legislative Conference.

When you flip a switch in your home, its easy to take for granted the power flowing through the lines. But for those of us living in rural Indiana, electricity didnt always come so easily. It took people working together neighbors, farmers, and local leaders standing up and speaking out to bring power to the countryside. That legacy of grassroots action is the foundation of your electric cooperative today, and its just as vital now as it was 90 years ago.

A POWERFUL BEGINNING

Before the 1930s, nine out of 10 rural homes in America had no electricity. Power companies didn’t see profit in running lines to sparsely populated farms and towns, so they simply didn’t. It wasn’t until President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 that real change began. But it didn’t happen overnight or from the top down.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Rural Electrification Act on May 20, 1936, with Representative John E. Rankin and Senator George W. Norris standing beside him.

It happened because every day people took action. They formed electric cooperatives member- owned utilities that would bring power to their own communities. These co-ops worked with the federal government to get funding, but more importantly, they organized locally, showed up in their communities, and demanded a better future.

ADVOCACY THEN AND NOW

That spirit of grassroots advocacy is still at the heart of everything we do. At Henry County REMC, we dont answer to shareholders. We answer to you, our members. And just like those early pioneers who brought light to rural America, today we must stay informed and engaged in the political process to protect the progress weve made and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Every year, policymakers make decisions that affect the cost, reliability, and future of your electric service. From energy regulations to broadband access, infrastructure funding to environmental rules, these policies can shape life in rural Indiana for generations. Thats why we advocate on behalf of our members at the Statehouse and on Capitol Hill. Most recently, CEO Melissa True joined nearly 80 cooperative leaders from across Indiana during the NRECA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

Cooperative leaders from around Indiana gather on Capitol Hill at the NRECA Legislative Conference.

They met with senators, representatives, and federal agency staff to discuss the real-world impacts of national policy on local communities. These meetings focused on legislative and regulatory issues shaping the future of electric cooperatives and the affordability, reliability, and sustainability of rural energy. And while their voices were heard, they know that the power of the cooperative movement lies not just in its leaders, but in its members.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Thats where you come in.

Grassroots advocacy means staying informed and taking action when it matters most. As a grassroots advocate for Indianas electric cooperatives, youll receive updates about issues affecting Henry County REMC. Plus, you will be provided with simple, effective ways to make your voice heard. That could mean filling out a survey, contacting your legislators, or responding to a call to action.

You dont need to be a policy expert to make a difference. You just need to care about your community and be willing to stand up for it, the same way rural Hoosiers did in 1936.

By joining our grassroots network, you will be part of a proud tradition of citizen engagement that keeps our communities strong and self-reliant. You will help ensure that rural voices remain loud and unified, especially when important decisions are being made.

TOGETHER, WE KEEP THE LIGHTS ON

Henry County REMC is more than a utility. Its a locally owned, locally governed organization that exists for the people it serves. We are proud to stand up for you at the national level, and we invite you to stand with us.

Sign up today at action.indianaec.org to become a grassroots advocate.

Stay informed. Speak up. Protect your cooperative. Because when rural voices come together, were powerful.