At Central Rural Electric Cooperative, one of the greatest responsibilities is listening to members and communities and finding ways to meet their needs.

Members depend on electricity for nearly every part of daily life, from heating and cooling their homes to operating farms and businesses, powering schools and supporting their communities. That responsibility doesn’t end when the power is on.

Central continually invests in maintaining and improving the electric system, preparing for severe weather and finding ways to make operations more efficient, all while working hard to manage costs and maintain affordable rates. Investing in local communities also means investing in the next generation. Through programs such as Co-op Kids, Energy Camp, Youth Tour, scholarships and electrical safety demonstrations, Central provides students with opportunities to learn about electricity, safety, leadership and cooperatives.

These programs may look different from maintaining a power line or restoring an outage, but they serve the same larger purpose: strengthening the communities our members call home.

Sometimes meeting a community need means providing additional support where it can make a meaningful difference. The Central Community Foundation gives members an opportunity to be part of that effort, providing more than $1.5 million in local support through grants since it began in 2006.

Looking toward the future also means recognizing how our communities are changing. Through Centranet’s fiber broadband efforts, it has expanded access to reliable, high-speed internet throughout Central’s service area, helping connect rural homes, businesses and communities.

This Co-op Month, we invite you to learn more about your cooperative and the programs, services and opportunities available. Click here to discover more about what Central has to offer.