History of Co-ops

The cooperative movement began in the early 19th century as a response to social and economic challenges. Rooted in the principles of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity, cooperatives were formed to empower individuals through collective action.

history

How Electric Co-ops Energized Rural America

1844

 

 

Cooperative principles established in Rochdale, England

 

1909

 

 

Country Life Commission recommends creation of electric cooperatives to power rural areas.

 

1935

 

 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt creates federal Rural Electrification Administration (REA) by executive order.

 

1936

 

 

2,000 miles of electric lines under construction by electric co-ops.

 

1937

 

 

53,000 total miles of co-op lines constructed.

 

1940

 

 

180,000 miles of rural lines built with another 80,000 underway.

 

1941

 

 

One million farms have power.

 

1942

 

 

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) formed to represent co-op interests nationally.

 

1949

 

 

Roughly 184,000 miles of rural line constructed this year alone.

 

1950

 

 

Willie Wiredhand, a mascot for electric co-ops debuts; named after the hired hand electricity gave to farmers.

 

1962

 

 

Electric co-ops serve 5 million Americans; NRECA joins U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) to bring electricity to developing nations.

 

1969

 

 

Apollo 11 mission; 500 million people around the world tune in to watch astronaut Neil Armstrong walk on the Moon.

 

1994

 

 

REA renamed Rural Utilities Service

 

1998

 

 

Touchstone Energy Cooperatives debut, providing a co-op “brand ID” and marketing options.

 

2009

 

 

NRECA/USAID partnership connects more than 100 million people to electricity in 42 nations.

 

2010

 

 

75 years after creation of REA, 900+ co-ops in 47 states serve 17 million homes and businesses.