October is National Co-op Month, and Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) is joining cooperatives across the U.S. to celebrate. Co-ops come in all shapes and sizes, but they each have a common goal: to provide goods or services for the members of the co-op.

Electric co-ops, including CWEC, exist to serve their members. Our priority is to provide affordable, reliable energy to our local communities. Because we are led by you, the members we serve, we can evolve to meet your needs.

This October, as we celebrate Co-op Month, we’re focusing on the ways “Co-ops Grow” for their members.

Co-ops Grow Communities: Co-ops help communities grow by promoting economic empowerment, fostering community engagement and supporting the unique needs of co-op members. “Concern for Community” is one of our core principles––and being community-focused is essential to everything we do.

There are many examples of how CWEC helps the communities that it serves. In addition to working with area economic development groups, we offer a couple of different financing options for small business loans for new or expanding businesses.

CWEC also supports local communities by donating to local food pantries, and through the annual CWEC Toys for Tots campaign.

Co-ops Grow Together: Co-ops are all about cooperation, not competition. That’s why electric co-ops work together to share lessons learned, successful strategies and better ways to serve our members. We’re better when we grow together!

Co-ops Grow Tomorrow’s Leaders: Electric co-ops serve as fertile ground for growing tomorrow’s leaders through a variety of youth engagement programs. Whether through school demonstrations, community events or the Youth Leadership Conference (YLC), we’re committed to providing opportunities for local youth to learn and thrive in our community and beyond.

There are many examples of how CWEC helps area youth to gain knowledge. Each May, CWEC conducts electricity safety demonstrations for fourth grade students at the elementary schools in the CWEC territory. Through its Operation Round Up program, and the generosity of its members, CWEC offers scholarships each year to members who are continuing their education after high school.

Co-ops Grow for You: At CWEC, your satisfaction is our number one goal. It’s why we were formed many years ago to fulfill a uniquely local purpose. We’ve come a long way since then, and your needs continue to evolve. That’s why we’ll never stop growing for you!