Welcome to McLeod Cooperative Power
We are proud to have served the area as a premier provider of electricity since 1935. McLeod Cooperative Power is a member-owned cooperative that provides electricity to more than 6,000 residents, businesses and industries in central Minnesota primarily in McLeod, Renville, Sibley and Carver Counties. We also provide DIRECTV programming and other services to 5,000 homes in these same counties.
Owned by the people we serve
We are governed by our Board of Directors, who are elected at our Annual Meeting. At McLeod Cooperative Power, we are continually exploring opportunities to deliver the most reliable services and products to our members at a fair price.
Message from the General Manager, Kris Ingenthron
Building a Better World
* 2012 marks the International Year of Cooperatives
In todays uncertain ecnomic times that question quickly comes to mind. We need a strong sustainable community. But how do you build a better world?
History tells us when we band together we can do anything. Together, we can build a better world. That is where cooperatives come into play.
In October we kick off a year long celebration marking the International Year of Cooperatives 2012. Our theme, “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World,” resonates loud and clear in our turbulent national-and global-economy. The year offers a chance for us to showcase our legacy of innovation and achievement, and reminds us of what’s important in business-putting people first.
You are a member of McLeod Cooperative Power Association so you know we are focused on providing safe, reliable, and affordable power. But this community driven business model does not stop at your light switch. There are 29,200 co-ops across America taking many forms, from farmers banding together to get a fair price on supplies to credit unions delivering low fees and reasonable interest rates on loans. Our business model works for dairy farmers and small business owners, financial institutions, grocery stores, insurance, housing, and child care.
One out of every four Americans is a co-op member, there are more than 1 billion members around the world. Cooperatives fill a community need, giving voice to folks that profit driven businesses often overlook. Co-ops share a common set of principles and values, including self help and one of my favorites “democracy.”
Electric cooperatives may only serve 12 percent of Americans, but our lines cover 75 percent of this great nation. By banding together, we deliver power to 42 million rural members in 47 states-and we are not finished.
Through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association International Program, cooperative employees are volunteering overseas to deliver electricity to 2 billion people living without power. Over the past 50 years, these efforts have provided light and hope to 100 million people in more than 40 countries. That is how electric cooperatives build a better world.
During International Year of Cooperatives 2012 it is important to remember co-ops put members first. We brought electricity to this community over 75 years ago to improve our quality of life and to keep young people from leaving to seek opportunities in electrified cities. Three-quarters of a century later we still want our children to succeed. That is why McLeod Cooperative Power supports the Rural Electric Youth Tour. Last summer we sent a high school senior-to-be to our nations capital to learn about leadership, teamwork, and our nations ideals. We also provided scholarships to send local students to college last year.
These budding leaders will help us Build a Better World.
Cooperatively yours,
