Community

Iowa’s electric cooperatives and the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives are passionate about our state and our communities. Concern for the communities we serve is one of the seven principles that guide electric cooperatives and you can see it in action every day at your local cooperative.

No two cooperatives are alike (that's the autonomy and independence part of our Cooperative Principles), so each has developed a unique set of programs that fit the needs of the communities they serve. To learn more about each cooperative, you'll find a list of our member cooperatives in the About/Links section of our site.

Scholarships for college and lineman training programs

Iowa's electric cooperatives truly believe education is a essential to building a strong community. Cooperatives back up this belief by offering scholarships for college or lineman training.

Youth Tour of Washington, D.C.

Since 1958, Iowa's electric cooperatives have been sending high school students to Washington, D.C. to meet their members of congress. To date, 41,000 students from rural areas and small towns all over America have participated in this unique program. Students on the tour learn about electric cooperatives, American history and U.S. government. They attend educational seminars, visit with their representatives in the House and the Senate, and see the sights around Washington, D.C. Contact your local electric cooperative or high school career center for additional information. The 2012 Youth Tour will be held June 15-21.

Customer contribution funds

Each electric cooperative has a program for members to donate funds for non-profit organizations, individuals in need and/or family emergency disasters.

Revolving Loan Funds

To help improve the quality of life in rural Iowa, many cooperatives set up revolving loan funds that contribute to long-term improvements in the local economy. It's the personal and business relationships that drive electric cooperatives. These low interest loans assist with local economic and community development projects such as:

• Job creation and retention 
• Diversification of the local economy 
• Improving the skills of the rural workforce 
• Upgrading the public infrastructure to improve health, safety and/or medical care to rural residents

Contributions

Many electric cooperatives provide contributions to a wide variety of local youth programs and community organizations.  

Volunteers

Whether its working with the United Way, a local retirement home, at the schools, on the field or with church, you'll find many electric cooperative employees actively involved in the local community.  

Safety

Safety is of the utmost importance to electric cooperative employees and for our members. We are committed to providing electricity safety information in newsletters, on websites and on the radio. We've partnered with SaveElectricity.org to provide safety information for our employees and members.

Products and service

In addition to providing electricity, many cooperatives offer a a variety of products and service to fit their unique community.

• Co-op Connections Card
• Energy efficiency programs
• Peak demand and load management programs
• Online shopping for energy efficiency products