Local people. Local decisions. Local power.
When you flip a switch, you expect the light to turn on; however, it does more than just light a room. It powers the dreams of a teenager studying for a test, the community gathering to support one another, and the critical processes that keep our local economy running. This is the heart of the electric cooperative and the energy that continues to fuel our members.
Yet, this seamless access to electricity was once a distant reality for many living in rural America. During the early 20th century, many rural areas lacked access to electricity from private utilities, prompting the nation to establish a cooperative system to serve all communities. In the 1930s, legislation passed allowing the creation of cooperative districts, including Highline Electric Association, to bring electric service to rural areas private utilities would not serve. Cooperatives deliver more than electricity; they add significant value to the quality of life within the communities they serve.
Unlike investor-owned utilities that serve distant shareholders, electric cooperatives are locally owned and operated. This means that you, your neighbors, and local businesses all contribute to Highline’s success. Highline operates on a not-for-profit basis, which allows reinvestment of revenue back into the electric system and the communities it serves. This local control helps meet our communities’ specific and unique needs.
Cooperatives provide great value to the community, and we take pride in serving as your electric cooperative. This October, we celebrate Co-op Month and the value of local people, local decisions, and local power in the communities we serve.
LOCAL PEOPLE
Cooperatives begin with people. At Highline, we recognize the importance of service and being active in our local communities. Our employees and board members live and work throughout the area, providing a thorough understanding of the needs of those we serve. Having local people serve the cooperative allows us to connect directly with our members on a daily basis.
Highline also strives to serve the community in other ways, such as economic development loans for small businesses and agriculture programs designed to identify efficiencies and provide incentives to implement improvements that help farmers’ bottom lines. In addition, Highline offers multiple rebate programs for improving energy efficiency and keeping member’s homes comfortable all year. These programs allow us to learn more about the area, connect with local community partners, and support our members.
LOCAL DECISIONS
Cooperatives are built on local people making decisions that benefit their community. Since co-ops are publicly owned and governed by locally elected board members, they prioritize community needs over shareholder profits. This structure ensures our members have a direct voice in how the utility operates and plans for the future.
Additionally, our board of directors regularly meets to discuss the future of the cooperative. Not only do we hold monthly board meetings, but our directors also participate in community meetings, conferences, and other training courses to ensure they have all the resources they need to properly serve our community.
LOCAL POWER
Cooperatives operate for the benefit of their members, making every investment a direct contribution to service quality and the long-term prosperity of their community. Co-ops continually invest in infrastructure, including substations, power lines, poles, transformers, and technology, to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable electric service. These investments help maintain reliability today while preparing for the future needs of our homes, farms, businesses, and industries.
Local power also plays a vital role in supporting economic growth. Access to reliable electricity is a key factor for businesses, as it helps create opportunities for growth, new investments, and provides local jobs.
This October, we celebrate the importance of cooperatives and the value of keeping it local. From the lights in our homes to the critical infrastructure that drives our local economy, cooperatives are the steady and reliable source for our communities. Thank you for trusting us to power what matters most to you.
By Dennis Herman, General Manager
