It was in the 1930s that Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) were first organized to help bring electricity to rural Georgians so that they too could partake in the cultural and economic prosperity sweeping the country.
Eighty years later, we are more than 4 million residents and businesses strong, united in purpose as owners of our respective co-ops across Georgia – and an economic development powerhouse in our state.
Georgians with electricity
hardworking residents
miles of power lines
of Georgia
If you are a member of an EMC in Georgia, you belong to a community of electric rate payers who are also owners of their local EMCs. This means that EMCs and rural Georgia energy consumers are one and the same.
But we share much more than just the pleasure of reliable power. We share the opportunity to make a difference in our local communities, and EMCs do so every day.
If supporting your local food pantry, high school sports team or fall festival comes to mind, you’re right. But it’s also college and technical school scholarships for local students; funding for many school systems’ needs from classroom supplies and sports equipment to large scale building projects; and support for families in need, at-risk youth and military veterans.
Anywhere you go in Georgia, an EMC is investing in the local needs and priorities of its members.
EMC leadership knows the best way to protect member interests is to make sure the state and local economies are strong. We have a long history of actively working to help attract new business and industry to Georgia and support a broad range of existing corporate enterprises.
We provide dollars, resources and manpower working every day with local, state and regional economic development organizations. We lead strategic planning and marketing initiatives that promote favorable business conditions including competitive power costs, community leadership development and access to a skilled workforce.
The EMCs, along with their trade association, Georgia EMC, have had a mission for decades to help support economic development and bring new jobs and investment to rural Georgia. We are proud partners with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), other statewide public and private sector partners and local chambers of commerce and development authorities to market the state of Georgia to new business and industry. We take pride in being an integral part of the team that has helped Georgia be named the “Top State for Doing Business” for a record 8 years in a row.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia continues to thrive due to our pro-business climate and overall reasonable costs to do business, including low electric rates.
Georgia’s 41 Electric Membership Cooperatives Serve More Than 4 Million Residents
