The Transformer May 2026
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF CANOOCHEE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
What Does It Mean to Be a Member of Canoochee EMC? BY MICHAEL WASSON, CEO, CANOOCHEE EMC
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hen people think of an electric company, it’s easy to assume it’s simply a transactional service, energy is delivered, a bill is paid and the cycle repeats. But at Canoochee EMC, we are built on something far more meaningful than a basic exchange of services. We are a member-owned cooperative, created by the very communities we serve and guided by the needs, values and voices of the people who live here. Unlike traditional, investor-owned utility companies that answer to outof-town shareholders, Canoochee EMC operates under a fundamentally different model. Every customer we serve is also a member-owner, which means our priorities are shaped locally, not by distant corporate interests, but by the people who depend on us every day. Decisions are made with our members in mind, focusing on reliability, affordability and long-term community well-being rather than maximizing profits. Our leadership and employees aren’t just representatives of a company, they are your neighbors, friends and fellow community members. A strong example of our community first approach is Operation Round Up. Through the generosity of our members who choose to round up their monthly bills to the nearest dol-
Canoochee EMC Newsletter
board members live right here in our local area and are elected by co-op members just like you. Board members serve three-year terms and elections are held at our Annual Meeting each fall. 2. We belong to the communities we serve. Since we are a cooperative, any excess revenue is shared with members over time. 3. We follow the same seven cooperative principles that all cooperative businesses follow. At Canoochee EMC, we don’t just power homes, we empower communities, because serving you isn’t just a job, it’s our purpose.
Canoochee EMC: 1938 to Now lar, we can create meaningful change right here at home. Those small contributions add up to significant impact, allowing our foundation board to provide financial assistance to local charities, families and individuals. Every dollar stays in the community, helping neighbors support neighbors in times of need. Being a member of a cooperative distinguishes you from other electric utility consumers, as well as other business relationships, in important ways: 1. Co-op leaders are members of our local community. Our nine
A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative
In the late 1930s, a few citizens from Tattnall County decided that they wanted electricity, and they were tired of waiting for it. Mrs. C.P. Durrence was an important figure at the beginning of our co-op, and we believe she would be proud of what she helped to create. Canoochee EMC was first incorporated in 1938, bringing electricity to the rural areas of southeast Georgia. Former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal brought the Rural Electrification Act (REA), and with it, places like our region were first able to provide power to rural Continued on page 18B
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