In October, electric cooperatives nationwide celebrate National Co-op Month and reflect on the unique benefits of belonging to a cooperative. It’s also the perfect time to thank you—the members who make it all possible. For us, it’s not just a celebration; it’s an opportunity to reaffirm the core values that guide everything we do.
Unlike investor-owned utilities, our co-op doesn’t exist to make profits for distant shareholders. We exist to serve you—our members, our neighbors and our communities. That purpose sets us apart. It’s why we were founded and continues to drive every decision we make.
At its core, being a cooperative means we are member-owned and locally controlled. That’s not just a tagline; it’s the essence of our business model. Members have a voice in how our co-op operates. You elect board members who live here in our service area and understand our communities’ unique challenges and opportunities. Decisions aren’t made in corporate boardrooms hundreds of miles away; they’re made here at home, by people who care about the same things you do.
This local accountability means we can stay focused on what matters most: delivering safe, reliable, affordable electricity and providing real value to the people and communities we serve.
We do that by investing in essential infrastructure upgrades and technologies that strengthen our local grid and improve electric service. We work hard to manage costs and keep rates as low as possible—because we know how much rising prices affect families and small businesses in our area. And when storms hit or outages occur, Dakota Electric crews are here and ready to respond quickly, because we live here too.
But our commitment doesn’t end at the power lines.
Co-ops were built to address community needs, and that purpose goes far beyond just providing electricity. Whether we’re helping local schools and students, sponsoring youth programs, or teaming up with volunteer groups, we’re always finding ways to enhance the quality of life in the places we serve. Community support isn’t an afterthought—it’s an essential part of our mission.
We’re also planning for the future. As electricity demand increases due to new technologies and economic development, electric co-ops are working to ensure we continue to meet those needs with a balanced, reliable energy mix. We know our members care about affordability and dependability, and we’re committed to providing both.
That’s the power of the cooperative difference. That’s what it means to be powered by purpose.
This National Co-op Month, we encourage you to take pride in your cooperative membership. You’re not just a customer—you’re a member-owner, a stakeholder, and a vital part of a larger effort to keep our community strong, connected and energized.
Thank you for the trust you place in us. We’re proud to be your local electric cooperative.
Article provided by NRECA
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.
