Electric cooperatives have always worked to improve the quality of life for their members through efforts ranging from permanent charitable funds to broadband expansion to on-bill financing for home efficiency upgrades. But as many rural areas have suffered population declines, loss of businesses and stagnating economic growth in recent decades, it’s been co-ops that have stepped up to try to reverse this trend, embracing broad community development efforts and helping marshal the passions and creativity of their communities’ leaders.
In the latest episode of Along Those Lines, Touchstone Energy® Cooperative Executive Director Jana Adams discusses how co-ops are leading the effort to revitalize America’s rural areas, and Erica Shehane of Lynches River Electric Cooperative in South Carolina and Dan Boysel of Consolidated Cooperative in Ohio discuss their co-ops’ ambitious efforts to bring vitality and growth back to the regions they serve.
Listen to the episode below:
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Related Content From RE Magazine:
Northwestern REC’s Rural Rocks Initiative Helps Reimagine Its Communities
Co-op Forum: Community Revitalization
Infographic: What Is Placemaking?
Missouri Co-op Commits to Business District With Major HQ Renovation
Find out more about NRECA’s podcast. Questions or suggestions? Email us at AlongThoseLines@nreca.coop.