The numbers in our study are impressive. Iowa’s electric cooperatives affect the jobs of more than 5,300 local
residents. The average annual salary for each of those workers is $33,855. We contributed $10.8 million to the
development of our communities. Plus, we leveraged $28 million in loans and grants into a $110 million impact on our local
economies. In 2003 alone, Iowa’s electric cooperatives invested $103 million in utility plant – that’s an average of $640 per
consumer we serve. These numbers are just the beginning of our story.
All of these examples have two things in common: the electric cooperatives are involved and they are making a difference for Iowans.
Impacting Every County in Iowa
A joint venture between West Liberty Foods and Millard Cold Storage has brought about the construction of a 60,000-square-foot cold-storage facility. The project is supplied power by Access Energy in Mt. Pleasant.
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There aren’t many private sector companies who can boast that they impact every corner of their home state – in nearly
every aspect of their business. Cooperatives are proud of the fact that collectively, they impact every single Iowa county
– 99, to be exact. That’s quite an accomplishment and a testimony to the advantages of the cooperative way of
doing business.
For decades, Iowa’s electric cooperatives have been reaching out to member-consumers in all of Iowa’s 99 counties by delivering
reliable and affordable power. But, we’ve always known we’re more than just a utility to our consumers, we’re part of the
community. Sure, every business belongs to one community or another. But, we’re different. Cooperatives are member-owned
and controlled, therefore, our communities have a say in the way we do business. We’re committed to growing and developing the regions in which we serve. After all, we know
the only way to grow Iowa is by helping our consumers succeed.
When you look around Iowa, you’ll see the cooperatives impacting Iowa in several key areas — Business and
Economic Development, Community Development and Civic Activities, Educational Development, Housing
Assistance and Volunteer Activities. For 2003, electric cooperatives made cash contributions and donated time
and goods totaling $10.8 million in an effort to advance their communities. When we talk about focusing our
energy in key areas, we aren’t just talking about the dollars and cents of doing business. We’re talking about
impacting quality of life, education, safety and the vast array of things that make a community advance in
today’s economy.
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In one corner of Iowa, a groundbreaking is completed for a $60 million facility that will produce 40 million gallons of ethanol each year. 35 new jobs for Iowa. In another region of the state, a joint venture between a food processing facility and a cold storage facility leads to the construction of a 60,000 square-foot building. 250 new jobs for Iowa. In another portion of the state, the co-ops partner with other utilities to build a new coal-fired power plant. 790 megawatts of power for Iowa. In north central Iowa, a dozen co-ops team up throughout the year to donate time in their communities. 18,000 volunteer hours.
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