In October, electric cooperatives across the country take time to celebrate National Co-op Month and reflect on the unique advantages of being part of a cooperative. It's also the perfect time to thank you — the 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 Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, we see purpose in action every single day. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our co-op doesn't exist to make profits for distant shareholders. We exist to serve you — 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.
At its core, being a cooperative means we are member-owned and locally controlled. That's not just a tagline; it's the very heart of our business model. Members have a voice in how our co-op operates. You elect board members who live right here in our service territory and understand the unique challenges and opportunities our communities face. Decisions aren't made in corporate boardrooms hundreds of miles away; they're made here 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 reliable, affordable electricity and providing real value to the people we serve.
We do that by investing in essential infrastructure upgrades and technologies that strengthen our local grid and improve electric service. We work hard to manage costs and keep rates as low as possible — because we know how much rising prices affect families and small businesses in our area. And when storms hit or outages occur, Valley crews are here and ready to respond quickly, because we live here too.
But our commitment doesn't end at the power lines.
Co-ops were built to meet community needs, and that purpose extends well beyond delivering electricity. We strive to improve the quality of life in the places we serve. We support local youth through our Brighter Future Scholarship Program. Community members young and old benefit from our educational programs. With your help, we offer Members Helping Members and our Community Service Grant Program to provide assistance to the most vulnerable members of our communities. Our grant program also provides funds to local service organizations and educators. We partner with and support local charitable organizations such as the United Way and Toys for Tots, and we host our own charity golf outing to benefit local area residents. Community support isn't an afterthought — it's part of our mission.
We're also planning for the future. As electricity demand grows due to new technologies and economic development, electric co-ops are working to ensure we continue to meet those needs with a balanced, reliable energy mix. We know our members care about affordability and dependability, and we're committed to delivering both.
Above all, as a co-op we put our members' priorities first. As your trusted energy partner, we know that saving energy and money is important to you. That's why we have numerous programs in place to help, including our Demand Response Program, Co-op Connections® program, water heater rebates, and Valley Rural Energy Services.
That's the power of the cooperative difference. That's what it means to be powered by purpose.
This 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.
Thank you for the trust you place in us. We're proud to be your local electric cooperative.
The article and images are courtesy of NRECA's Straight Talk, with modifications by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, and are used with permission.