October is National Co-op Month, and Orange County REMC is joining cooperatives across the U.S. to celebrate. Co-ops come in all shapes and sizes, but they each have a common goal: to provide goods or services for the members (who are also part owners) of the co-op.

Electric co-ops, including Orange County REMC, exist to serve their members. Our priority is to provide affordable, reliable energy to our local communities. Because we are led by you, the members we serve, we can evolve to meet your needs. In fact, this is the driving force behind our decision to develop Orange County Fiber in order to bring much needed, high-speed internet service to our community.

This October, as we celebrate Co-op Month, we’re focusing on the ways “Co-ops Grow” for their members.

Co-ops grow communities: Co-ops help communities grow by promoting economic empowerment, fostering community engagement and supporting the unique needs of co-op members. “Concern for Community” is one of our core principles –– and being community-focused is essential to everything we do. That is also the motivation behind our Operation Round Up program, which makes it easy to provide funds to local groups and organizations working for good in our communities.

Co-ops grow together: Co-ops are all about cooperation, not competition. That’s why electric co-ops work together to share lessons learned, successful strategies and better ways to serve our members. When a natural disaster strikes, co-ops will often travel to neighboring territories to help restore power. We’re better when we grow together!

Co-ops grow tomorrow’s leaders: Electric co-ops serve as fertile ground for growing tomorrow’s leaders through a variety of youth engagement programs. That’s why we provide scholarships and opportunities for students to participate in Camp Kilowatt and the Indiana Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., program. We’re committed to providing opportunities for local youth to learn and thrive in our community and beyond.

Co-ops grow for you: At Orange County REMC, your satisfaction is our number one goal. It’s why we were formed many years ago to fulfill a uniquely local purpose. We’ve come a long way since then, and your needs continue to evolve. That’s why we’ll never stop growing for you!