CATHY 
RACICOT

Join Harrison REMC in celebrating cooperatives in Indiana and across America during National Cooperative Month.

Every October, cooperatives are recognized for the qualities that make the business model unique: local democratic control, commitment to supporting the communities they serve and improving quality of life, special benefits and services, and the return of margins (the co-op term for profits) back to members in the form of capital credits.

Cooperatives are special. We have an obligation to provide reliable, affordable, and safe electricity, but we take that a step further. We also have a responsibility to support our members, enrich schools, and enhance our communities.

Celebrating National Cooperative Month informs others about our unique business model, which is based on seven cooperative principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; members’ economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; cooperation among cooperatives; and concern for community.

Harrison REMC is proud to be part of America’s cooperative network, which employs more than 850,000 people. Across the nation, 29,000 co-ops and credit unions generate $74 billion in annual wages and nearly $500 billion in revenue.

Harrison REMC is one of more than 900 electric cooperatives, public utility districts and public power districts serving 42 million people in 47 states. Our bottom line is providing you with safe, reliable and affordable electricity.

Electric cooperatives were formed because rural communities were struggling for lack of investment. Neighbors banded together and lit up the countryside when no one else would. That’s what we celebrate each October.

CATHY RACICOT is Harrison REMC’s communications manager.