Recently, one of our newer employees asked me what makes electric co-ops different than other types of utilities. This month, I thought I’d tell you a few of the things I told her.

Because we’re a co-op, we operate a little differently than other utilities. Jay County REMC’s decisions are made locally, by directors who also live right here in our community.

Everyone who pays to receive electricity from the co-op is a member. When you pay your electric bill each month, your money stays here — to pay for the electricity used or to make improvements to our local system to strengthen service reliability. The money you pay the co-op doesn’t line the pockets of shareholders five states away. We’re a co-op, and we exist to provide a service to you, our local members.

Because you’re part of an electric cooperative, you can count on our team to maintain local jobs, at-cost electricity and first-class service, no matter what the economy –– and supply chain issues –– throw at us.

Jay County REMC is striving to keep our costs as low as possible so we can keep more money in your pocket. We want to help you maximize the value you can get from our services and offerings. For example, we can help you save on energy bills through our free energy audit program and Power Moves rebates.

To stay on top of important information, such as power outages, Jay County REMC offers our members access to the SmartHub application. This app allows members to check their statements, report outages and even check their daily use.

Please know that you, the members of Jay County REMC, are at the heart of everything we do. Co-ops adhere to seven guiding cooperative principles that reflect core values of honesty, transparency, equity, inclusiveness and service.

We exist to serve you and provide the quality, reliable, friendly service you expect and deserve. While we’ve grown over the years, we’re still driven by the same guiding principles to serve our community. We hope to see or hear from you soon. This co-op was created for you, the members. The power is in your hands.