There’s a quiet transformation happening across the nation. America’s smaller communities are changing in remarkable ways — while holding steadfastly to the values that, for generations, have made them the places people choose to build a better life for themselves and their families.

Small towns now are all about embracing the beauty of a simpler lifestyle. You can live independently yet also be part of a community that looks out for neighbors. You can grow in new ways, in new directions. 

America’s rural communities may seem quiet — but scratch below the surface, and you’ll find a whole lot happening. There’s a new energy here to go along with the more affordable, down-to-earth way to live that’s been here all along. And the opportunities to create something new have never been greater. 

These are the communities served by America’s electric cooperatives. You might think of us as the local electric company, and you’d be right: We’re led by members like you, created by and for the communities we serve. Electric cooperatives are community-focused organizations that work to deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy to our members. Every co-op is as unique as the community that shaped it, changing over time as our communities grow and change.

We’re local and we’re independent, but together, we’re mighty. Across the country, local cooperatives work together and learn from one another to develop new technologies and infrastructure. During this process, we bring electricity to 42 million Americans and over 19 million homes, businesses, farms, and schools in 47 states. Co-ops themselves provide 71,000 great jobs, invest billions in local economies every year, and are a driving force in helping attract and grow business and industry in rural America.

America’s electric cooperatives aren’t just economic engines. They’re innovators, developing new ways to incorporate the benefits of cooperative solar, wind, and other sources of renewable energy into a balanced energy mix. We’re always looking for new ways to help our members save energy, save money and take advantage of the technology that’s changed the way we live.

It’s all part of the cooperative spirit that’s always been one of the best things about living in our community. Neighbors looking out for neighbors. People working for the common good. 

Even as we celebrate our differences and our individual achievements, knowing that we can’t do everything alone, we’re all in this together. We are stronger and better for it.

That’s community. That’s what fueled the co-op movement so many years ago, and it’s the source of our new energy today. The power of community is what being an electric cooperative is all about.