Manager's Message

The Thanksgiving season brings a spirit of generosity and compassion. It’s a time to reflect on our many blessings and uplift those in need. While this is certainly a special time of year, here at Central Electric, we are deeply rooted in giving back to our local communities year-round. 

Our mission is reliable power. Our purpose is people, our members we’re proud to serve. That’s why we organize events like the “Books on Break” free book fair, Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed build project, and the summer food drive with Buddy Backpack, to make a positive, meaningful impact for our community. You help us power that purpose, too. Our Operation Roundup® program is made possible through your participation in “rounding up” your electric bills the next dollar amount. Your generous contributions help less fortunate families in our community and support local charitable organizations and community services.

Another way we give back is by investing in tomorrow’s leaders. Through presentations at schools, scholarship opportunities, and the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour program, we aim to empower students for a brighter future. When we invest in our local youth, we strengthen the fabric of our community. 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, we believe in giving credit where credit is due––to the members who shape our co-op. One of the ways we do this is through capital credits. Because Central Electric operates as close to at cost as possible, we give cash back to our members rather than outside investors or shareholders. 

Here’s how capital credits work: 
Central Electric members use the electricity we provide and pay their monthly bills, and we track their business with the co-op over time. The co-op pays all operating expenses throughout the year, and if any operating revenue is leftover, we allocate it as capital credits. When financial conditions permit, the co-op’s board of directors votes to pay capital credits back to the members. Central Electric then sends you a check or applies a credit to your energy bill. This year will mark 17 years in a row that capital credits have been retired. During that time, over $19 million will have been returned to you, our members. 

Capital credits are just one of the many benefits of co-op membership. Giving back to our local members instead of outside parties is one of the many aspects that set cooperatives apart from other types of businesses.

Our members guide every decision we make and are the reason our co-op exists. To us, you’re more than a customer. This Thanksgiving season, we hope you’re proud to be part of a community-focused co-op that puts people before profits. 

Until next time,