Message from the CEO
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” In the spirit of this quote by author William Arthur Ward, I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your membership in our electric cooperative. Because of your connection to East-Central Iowa REC, we can make our community a better place.
I generally use this space to provide updates on new projects and developments and report on the progress of ongoing initiatives. We share these updates so our members have a window into our priorities, progress, and challenges. However, during this season of giving thanks, I think it’s equally important to let you and other members of ECI REC know just what an impact you have on our cooperative and the greater community—likely in ways you do not realize.
As part of the cooperative business model, one of our core principles is concern for community. While our priority is always to provide safe, reliable, and affordable energy, we view our role in the community as a catalyst for good. Our RECare program distributes funds to low-income energy consumers in Benton and Buchanan Counties via community action agencies. We also work closely with our local schools to provide safety demonstrations, participate in career fairs, and award college scholarships. ECI REC also participates in the annual Youth Tour, where we send our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C., for a week-long experience of democracy in action. The trip is inspirational for many students, and we are both humbled and honored to be part of this leadership development journey. Ultimately, the larger community benefits from these programs because of you. You empower ECI REC through your membership and your participation in and support of these programs.
Because we are locally governed by members of our community, we get a firsthand perspective on community priorities, enabling us to make more informed decisions on long-term investments, such as high-speed broadband, community solar programs, equipment and technology upgrades, and electric vehicle programs. As always, please alert us to problems or provide suggestions by emailing, calling, or attending cooperative events. When you give your input, you help us improve operations and better serve the larger membership.
We are thankful that our Board of Directors carves out time to attend important training sessions, participate in planning meetings, and keep abreast of industry trends. This time investment results in better-informed advisors who serve ECI REC’s interests in a way our members expect and deserve.
On a more personal note, we appreciate the countless acts of kindness our lineworkers and other employees receive when they are working in severe weather and dangerous conditions. Our employees are thankful for your patience and consideration when we are restoring power in challenging situations.
East-Central Iowa REC was established to bring electricity to our area when no one else would. The Cooperative is a reflection of our local community and its evolving needs. Together, let’s continue making our corner of the world a better place. We can’t do it without you, and for that, we’re thankful for your membership.