CEO’s Message: Building a Better World Cooperatively

January 2025

Being part of a cooperative family has many benefits. Our consumer members get to enjoy the safe, reliable, and affordable electricity everyone at SVEC works hard to provide, while also sharing in the ownership of the co-op. If the money we bring in for that power is more than we need to keep the system working and growing, we don’t pocket it or send it to shareholders. Instead, we return it to you in the form of capital credits. Each of you also has a voice in how our cooperative runs when you cast your vote for the trustees who represent you.

These are all strengths that make a cooperative profoundly different from any other utility in the industry. But what you might not know is that cooperatives around the country provide so much more than electricity or internet service.

When you open your fridge, look at the milk. Odds are good — 85% — that it came from a farmer-owned dairy cooperative. One out of every three Americans has an account at a cooperatively owned credit union. If you shop at Ace Hardware, that’s a co-op, too!

There are plenty of co-ops out there, at least 65,000 in America and 3 million across the world. Some co-ops are owned by workers or farmers. Others are owned by businesses that pool resources. You — and everyone else we serve — own SVEC.

Co-ops make life better for everyone, from local businesses to the people who get power from us. But not everyone knows this story. To spread the word, the United Nations declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives. As we gear up to celebrate how cooperatives build a better world, we’re taking a moment in this newsletter to explore how co-ops strengthen our community.

In this issue, you’ll find information about the principles and goals that unite cooperatives no matter what industry they are in. You can also read about the many services co-ops provide, from food to banking and so much more, as well as details about how to get involved if you’re looking to embrace the cooperative way of life even more.

At heart, what makes cooperatives special is that in a cooperative you are so much more than a customer. Your ideas help us innovate to meet changing local needs. Whether you send us an email or talk to us at a local event, we’re all ears. Your thoughts help us grow and serve you better. You can also rest easy knowing you are supporting local jobs, scholarships, and more. We put our money where our heart is — right here at home. We do more than provide a service. We help our neighborhoods thrive.

When we work together and keep it cooperative, we all win. It keeps us connected, innovative, and focused on what matters — you and our community. Thanks for being part of our SVEC family.