Business and Community Investment Programs —
Leveraging our Assets
Kathy Fletcher of Prairie Energy Cooperative is one of dozens of co-op employees who volunteer in their community.
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Leveraging opportunities into million dollar assets is a practice that Iowa’s electric cooperatives have refined over the years. Cooperatives embrace the prospect of taking grants and loans and
molding them into tangible benefits for rural Iowa. In 2003, electric cooperatives leveraged $2.1 million in grants and loans, into a $108 million impact. In fact, over the past 15 years
cooperatives have brought $2.1 million into Iowa each year. What’s more, this money has created or retained 474 jobs annually.
These programs include the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG), revolving loan funds and the Intermediary Relending Program
(IRP). As a recipient of a USDA grant or loan, the local electric cooperative often provides matching funds for these grants and loans. Beyond bringing an average
of $2.1 million into Iowa each year these programs stimulated $28 million in investment projects with a total annual impact on their local economies of nearly $110 million — affecting more than 930 jobs.
Sac County REC participates in the Building Momentum Conference.
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MWI-Assembly, served by Iowa Lakes Electric Cooperative, a 2004 Venture Award winner.
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Co-line Welding, served by Pella Cooperative Electric, is a world-class metal stamping and manufacturing powerhouse. The company recently expanded into a 110,000 sq. ft. facility.
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Volunteerism. In north central Iowa, a dozen co-ops team up throughout the year to donate time in their communities. 18,000 volunteer hours. One cooperative’s employees participate in an American Cancer Society Relay for Life event and organize several fund-raising events. $1,784 raised in proceeds.
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