When you think of October, pumpkins, Halloween and beautiful fall foliage naturally come to mind. But October is notable for another reason – it’s National Co-op Month. 

This is the time of year when cooperatives across the country, including LaGrange County REMC, celebrate who we are and more importantly, the members we serve and the community we belong to. 

Cooperatives are different than other types of businesses. When the market declines to offer a product or service, or does so at a very high price, co-ops intervene to fill the need. 

Similar to how LaGrange County REMC was built by members who came together to bring electricity to our community, cooperatives are conveners for the common good. Your electric co-op exists to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to you, the members of the co-op. Equally important is our mission to enrich the lives of the members we serve. 

As a co-op, we are well-suited to meet the needs of the community because we are a part of it. LaGrange County REMC’s leadership team and employees live right in the local area. Our board of directors, who helps set long-term priorities for the co-op, lives locally on co-op lines. These board members have been elected to the position by neighbors like you. 

We know our members (that’s you!) have a valuable perspective. That’s why we are continually seeking your input. Whether through community events, our social media channels or the annual meeting, we want to hear from you. 

Our close connection to the community ensures we get a first-hand perspective on local priorities, thereby enabling us to make more informed decisions on long-term investments, such as our Co-op Solar program and equipment and technology upgrades. 

Another feature that sets our co-op apart from a traditional utility is one of our core principles: Concern for Community. 

Ultimately, the larger community benefits from programs, such as Operation Round Up, EnviroWatts and youth scholarships and trips, because of you and your neighbors. You empower the co-op through your membership and through your participation and support of these programs. 

We hope you will think of LaGrange County REMC as more than your energy provider, but instead as a local business that supports this community and powers economic development and quality of life for area residents. 

We will continue to learn from our members about their priorities so that we can better serve you — because your electric co-op was built by the community, for the community.