Co-op History and How We Hold the Same Values
October is National Cooperative month which is the time to celebrate the power of community, shared values, and the people who make it all possible. This month, we reflect on the journey that brought us here and the values that continue to guide us forward.
For millions of rural Pennsylvanians in the 1930s, the thought of living with electricity seemed impossible. Farmers did all their work with muscle power while the power of electricity could change their way of life for the better. This desire for change sparked a movement. A movement that was built without the help of corporations, but, instead, by farmers, neighbors, and people who believe in the power of community.
On July 12, 1937, CEC’s five founders met at their attorney’s office in Kittanning and signed the official incorporation notice for CEC — originally called Central Pennsylvania Rural Electric Cooperative Company, changed to Central Electric Cooperative in 1938. This began the mission to provide reliable and reasonably priced electricity to our rural area.
CEC, with its rich history, couldn’t be where it is today without its core values: honesty and integrity; commitment and initiative; accountability and dedication; and professionalism and reliability. Amongst all the uncertainty in the electrical distribution industry today, we continue to rely on these values to help the cooperative navigate towards a better tomorrow.
Past Annual Reports and strategic plans reflect our ongoing commitment to cooperation and community. 2024’s report, that can be found on our website at central.coop/powerlines, highlights progress in areas such as quality of service, and system improvement. Our 2025-2027 Strategic Plan outlines goals focused on safety, reliability, cost control and the communities we serve. These initiatives are made to align our resources with CEC’s mission and vision, demonstrating how these values are at the center of nearly everything we do and have done.
CEC remains committed to transparency and member engagement as we work toward our strategic goals. We prioritize open communication through mail, email, SmartHub, and direct contact during business hours. This commitment was recently seen at our 88th Annual Business Meeting, where members expressed their concerns and feedback directly with our CEO and General Manager, and Board of Directors. The Annual Meeting has been held every August since its start in 1939, in Parker, Pa.
Cooperatives were built by members, for members and this is still the case now as capital credit reflects each member’s ownership in the cooperative. Any margins or revenues related to the sale of electric service, remaining after all expenses have been paid, are returned to the cooperative’s members in proportion to their electrical use. Over the years, CEC has returned a total of 35.7 million dollars in capital credit payments to both current and past cooperative member-owners. Since the beginning of Central Electric Cooperative in 1937, members have shared in the financial success of the co-op.
Today, cooperatives serve 42 million people and power over 22 million businesses, homes, schools, and farms in 48 states which is about 56% of American landscape. The cooperative vision began with the same values that continue to guide Central Electric Cooperative, driving its commitment to community and shared success.
