Get Involved! Join us at the Annual Meeting.

One of my favorite events is coming up on March 25, when Union County Electric Cooperative will host our annual meeting for you, the members we proudly serve. I always look forward to this event because it’s a great opportunity for me and our employees to talk with our members and hear what’s on their minds.

We hope you’ll join us for the annual meeting which will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Church (607 West Main Street, Elk Point). We will hold the meeting as we have done for the past several years, as a drive through event. We will be there to answer all your questions, but you are free to come and go as you please.

During the annual meeting, we’ll share a few brief business updates on our financials, building update, and line construction plans. Spending time with you and hearing your take on our community’s energy future is so important to us. In fact, it’s essential because everything we do is shaped by the members of our community. As I’m sure you know, the energy industry is in the midst of massive change. Consumer needs and changing technology impact nearly every aspect of how we manage and deliver energy to your homes, farms, and businesses.

As we navigate major changes in the coming years, we need to hear from you and your neighbors to inform our planning as we strive to meet the long-term needs of all Union County Electric Cooperative members.

You have a say.

You may be wondering if your opinion really makes a difference, and yes, it does! Gaining guidance and perspective from our members and board helps set priorities for the co-op and guide future decisions. At our annual meeting, we raise issues for voting consideration by the general membership (that’s everyone who pays for electric service from Union County Electric Cooperative. The annual meeting is also a time for members to vote on the co-op’s board of directors. Our board of directors is comprised of five members who live and work right here in our local service area, so they are in the best position to know where community investments are most needed.

Your electric bill is an investment in our community.

This local input means those closest to the community know its needs and priorities and help direct where co-ops dollars are spent. Every year, we invest funds to make updates to our local system, which helps maintain reliability and grid resilience. Think of it this way: every time you pay your electric bill, you’re actually investing in your community because all the money we take in stays here in the local community. By making these investments in our local system, we can ensure you have reliable power for everyday life.

Most consumers likely don’t equate active involvement with their electric company with helping their community. But Union County Electric Cooperative is not an ordinary utility company. We’re a co-op, and our business model is meant to serve the members and the community in which it operates.

Our core purpose and mission are to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power. But as a co-op, we’re also motivated by service to our community, rather than profits. We hope you’ll exercise the benefits of your co-op membership and join us for the annual meeting on March 25th. We look forward to seeing you!

Until next month, stay safe and God bless.

Quote of the Month: “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today” – H. Jackson Brown Jr. – Author