February CEO Column - More than electricity

 

Honor Flight
Farmers RECC member Roger Lee Waggoner greets bystanders at the Honor Flight Kentucky welcome home ceremony. Photo: Tim Webb.

Along with powering lives, Farmers RECC is heavily invested in empowering communities. 

Our first priority as an electric co-op is to keep the lights on reliably, competitively and safely. But we are more than electricity. Our dedication to service goes beyond the power lines because we're connected to the people and the places we serve. 

At the heart f our operation is a commitment to the cooperative core principle, "Concern for Community." It drives us to take action to improve everyday life across our service area. 

As a community servant, your co-op invests in the quality of life here through participation in civic organization and clubs, donations to local schools and community partners, and involvement in safety demonstrations at local schools. 

Economic Development. We're taking steps to power a stronger, more resilient future for the communities we serve. Partnering with Kentucky's Touchstone Energy Cooperatives we offer state-of-the-art tools and expertise to attract business investments and expansions, and the jobs that go with them. 

Donations. Last year, Farmers RECC invested $7,000 to help end hunger in our area. Donations included $2,000 to the Barren, Hart and Metcalfe counties youth resource offices to help children get nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals. An additional $1,000 was donated to the Barren County reads and Feeds program, which provides food to local students struggling with food insecurity. 

Sponsorships. Our continuing support makes it possible for local veterans to participate in Honor Flight and for area athletes to compete in Kentucky's Special Olympics Summer Games. 

Scholarships. We're investing in the future of our communities by annually awarding scholarships that make it possible for students to achieve educational goals at colleges and trade schools. 

Safety. Through demonstrations, classroom programming and communications, we promote awareness of electrical safety and emergency preparedness. 

Volunteerism. We're also energizing communities through the volunteerism and generosity of our employees. Farmers RECC employees give their time to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Louisville and the Special Olympics Summer Games. And we're recognizing the good works of our members through our Who Powers You contest. 

Community Engagement. We're strengthening relationships within our community by attending civic organization meetings and hosting events like "Coffee with the Co-ops." These gatherings provide invaluable opportunities to connect with our members, listen to their needs and share updates about our cooperative. I am available to speak at your organizations' meetings or events to share more about the cooperative, the services we provide and how we work to support our communities. 

In a variety of ways, we're doing whatever we can to demonstrate our commitment to empowering our communities. By serving beyond the power lines, we're creating a vibrant place to live and work, and everyone benefits. 

 

Toby Moss, President and CEO