Georgia Magazine - December 2020 - 20

GEORGIA'S Energy Outlook

By Dennis Chastain

'Concern for Community'
guides electric cooperatives

Georgia Magazine

December 2020

AMICALOLA EMC

n last month's column, we shared
Amicalola EMC and Ellijay Telephone Co. (ETC)
some exciting news about major
recently announced a partnership to bring greater
incentives the electric membership
access to high-speed broadband service to the
cooperatives (EMCs) are offering to help
area served by both companies.
move the needle on deploying broadband
to rural Georgia. High-speed internet
availability is critical to rural Georgia's
economic health and vitality, and that is
at the heart of the EMCs' mission.
One of the guiding principles of an
electric cooperative is " Concern for
Community. " EMCs demonstrate this
philosophy every day, not only by
pursuing opportunities to help with the
deployment of high-speed internet, but
also through statewide leadership and
educational programs, scholarships,
charitable contributions and other comthe years to address immediate needs in their communities.
munity support. These efforts have spurred economic growth
EMCs also play a critical role in economic development
across Georgia for more than 80 years.
in our state. By partnering with the Georgia Department of
Concern for Community was front and center when EMCs
Economic Development, local chambers of commerce, develstepped up to help individuals, families and businesses affected
opment authorities and others, EMCs help attract new busiby the COVID-19 pandemic. Since families were forced to comnesses and expand existing industries' operations. EMCs also
plete schoolwork and perform jobs remotely, several co-ops
educate community leaders about current trends and how to
made free Wi-Fi available at multiple locations across their serplan for economic development. All of these efforts help create
vice territories. EMCs suspended disconnects for nonpayment
much-needed jobs and investment in our communities, which
for several months and worked with members on special payimproves the quality of life for all EMC members.
ment arrangements when needed. EMC foundations reviewed
Access to high-speed internet service is equally important
applications for emergency support and awarded thousands of
to the economic vitality of rural Georgia, and EMCs are actively
dollars to community organizations that provide food, shelter
working on solutions to the broadband challenge. Partnerand other critical needs.
ships with internet providers to connect unserved homes and
Every year, EMCs invest in our state's youths by sponsoring
businesses have been announced recently by Amicalola EMC in
leadership and scholarship programs to cultivate tomorrow's
Jasper, Carroll EMC in Carrollton and Colquitt EMC in Moultrie,
leaders. This includes the Washington Youth Tour, a nationwide
and more announcements are expected.
youth leadership program founded by electric cooperatives
Despite these developments, there is no " one size fits
more than 50 years ago, and support for FFA and 4-H. For 22
all " solution, and it will take time, patience and collaboration
years, Georgia's EMCs have supported student-athletes through
among many entities to solve this problem.
the Georgia High School Association, and each fall they present
EMCs are just as committed to their communities today as
56 Cooperative Spirit Sportsmanship Awards across the state to
they were when we brought electricity to rural areas more than
encourage exemplary sportsmanship.
80 years ago. We pledge to continue exploring all opportunities
EMCs are also big supporters of academic and community
to help expand broadband access to our members until all of
organizations through programs such as Bright Ideas, which
Georgia is served.
awards grants to local teachers to fund innovative educational
Dennis Chastain is president/CEO of Tucker-based Georgia
projects, and Operation Round Up, in which participating memEMC, the statewide trade association representing the state's 41
bers round up their utility bills to the next dollar and the differelectric cooperatives, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmisence goes into a fund for charitable causes. This program has
sion Corp. and Georgia Systems Operations Corp.
allowed EMC foundations to contribute millions of dollars over

Georgia Magazine - December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - December 2020