October is National Co-op Month
When you hear the word cooperative, what comes to mind? As your local electric co-op, we hope you think of United Electric Cooperative. Regardless of the services offered, all cooperatives have 1 thing in common: They’re led by the people they serve. That simple idea makes a meaningful difference.
Cooperatives come in all shapes and sizes, each created to meet a specific need. Credit unions help members save and borrow money. Producer cooperatives, such as Ocean Spray and Land O’Lakes, help farmers bring their products to market. Retail cooperatives, like Recreational Equipment Inc. and Ace Hardware, are owned by their shoppers or a membership of store owners, while housing cooperatives give residents a voice in managing their communities. And utility cooperatives—such as United Electric—provide reliable, affordable electricity to the communities they serve.
Unlike many businesses that answer to outside investors or shareholders, cooperatives are built for their members. Their goal isn’t simply to earn a profit—it’s to provide value, meet unique local needs, and strengthen the communities they call home.
That’s exactly what makes United Electric different. Our story began in 1997 when neighbors came together to bring electricity to an area when other utilities wouldn’t. While a lot has changed since then, our purpose has remained steady. We’re still here to provide power and make decisions with our community’s best interests in mind.
Being locally owned means we have the flexibility to focus on what matters most to the communities we serve. That’s why no 2 electric cooperatives are exactly alike. Every community has different needs, and every cooperative reflects those priorities.
For some co-ops, that means expanding programs that help members save energy and money. Others may focus on supporting economic development, investing in new technology, or creating new opportunities for local students.
At United Electric, our commitment extends beyond power lines. Through Project Share, participating members voluntarily round up their monthly electric bills to the next whole dollar, pooling that small change to make a difference throughout the communities we serve. Funds collected for this program are forwarded to the Salvation Army in Boise and help families in need of emergency heating assistance.
Each year, the co-op awards 5 $500 scholarships to graduating seniors whose parents or guardians receive electricity from the cooperative. 1 $500 scholarship is also available for a nontraditional student, someone returning to school after a life change or an interval from high school.
United Electric also gives young people opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. Each year, the cooperative sponsors local high school students for the Idaho Consumer- Owned Utilities Association Youth Rally, where they learn about leadership skills and discover more about the cooperative business model.
Membership comes with another important benefit: capital credits. Because United Electric is a not-for-profit cooperative, margins remaining after expenses are allocated to members based on their use of electricity. When the cooperative’s financial condition allows, a portion of those capital credits is returned to the members who helped build the cooperative’s equity.
These programs are different in purpose, but they grow from the same cooperative principle: The people who receive service from United Electric are also the people the cooperative exists to serve.
You’ll also find the co-op difference in the little things. It’s the lineworkers restoring power after a storm. The employees answering your questions when you call. The team members volunteering at community events. The board members— your neighbors—who help guide decisions for the future.
We’re your neighbor and local energy partner, and we’re committed to serving this community for generations to come.
During National Co-op Month, we invite you to join us in celebrating the cooperative difference. We are serving cookies in the front office the week of October 19 through October 23. Make sure to stop by, say hi, and get a cookie.
Whether it’s United Electric, your local credit union, or ACE Hardware, cooperatives prove that when people work together, everyone benefits.
Your membership is what makes our mission possible— and it’s what keeps us focused on serving the people and communities that matter most.