Escambia River Electric Cooperative Inc

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EREC provides much more than competitively priced, reliable energy. EREC invests time, money and expertise to build the local economy and strengthen relationships with member-owners. Through our subsidiary company, Escambia River Rural Service, Inc., EREC is able to offer value-added services to our membership. As a member-owned cooperative, EREC is committed to keeping our focus on member needs and local priorities. EREC is a member owned electric distribution cooperative located in Jay, Florida. While providing dependable electric service at competitive rates is our primary mission, we are also seeking out additional ways of enhancing our areas quality of life. In 1937, the first meeting was held to organize Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. at the Oak Grove Community House. By lamplight, several prominent community leaders laid out the blueprints for the formation and operation of EREC. After Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, which made loans available for the establishment of rural electric cooperatives, widespread rural electrification began. The formation of cooperatives in other parts of the country stimulated the interest of these local leaders such as C.R. Walker, E.H. Lundy, J.L. Robbins, and County Agent J.G. Hudson. They continued to move forward with their plans even though they were often met with opposition and skepticism. On March 10, 1939, Escambia River Electric Cooperative, Inc. was born when the incorporators met at the American National Bank building in Pensacola to pass the bylaws, which would establish the Cooperative and make their dream a reality. The Cooperatives first month of operation brought them 88 members. Since that time, the Co-op has grown to serve approximately 10,000 members in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties with 1,765 miles of energized line. All cooperative businesses adhere to seven guiding principles: Voluntary and Open Membership Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. Democratic Member Control and Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner. Members and Economic Participation: Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership. Autonomy and Independence and Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy. Education, Training, and Information Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation. Cooperation Among Cooperatives and Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together