From the Board of Trustees

Baldwin EMC is a member-owned, member-governed cooperative. When the co-op was founded back in 1937, members of the community knew that we were a locally owned business – likely because they or someone they knew played a part in helping organize the cooperative. Over time as the novelty of receiving electricity waned and the founders passed on, new people moved into the community, viewing the electric co-op like any other energy provider.

But we are different and the key to that difference is you, the member-owner of our cooperative. Without your support and commitment, we would not exist.

Research proves that when people own something they treat it differently, which is why we encourage Baldwin EMC members to act as an owner rather than a customer. As an owner, you play a critical role in our success. Each year, if our revenue exceeds our expenses (which is always our goal), a certain percentage is allocated back to you – because you are a member of the co-op.

With that ownership comes certain rights like the opportunity to seek election to serve on the board of trustees. If that seems like too big a commitment, we still want and need you to participate in the annual elections.

We welcome your advice and counsel as we continually look for new ways to help you use energy efficiently and in a more cost-effective manner. Thanks to your participation in innovative programs like Cent$ible Power, paperless billing and Prepay Power, we’ve been able to trim our costs significantly over the years, while helping our members to do the same.

As a local business, we have a real stake in the community, just as you do. That is why we seek opportunities to engage with local organizations like the Guardians of the Ribbon, Ecumenical Ministries and all five of our local Chambers of Commerce. While electric power is the commodity that your co-op sells, the real power is that together, we empower this local community. When people feel empowered they accomplish great things.

True, the world is different today than it was in 1937 when Baldwin EMC was founded, but our mission of serving you and our community is constant.

Working together with your active, inspired engagement, we can continue to accomplish great things.