Co-ops in the Community

At the end of 2022, CoBank – one of the largest private providers of credit to the U.S. rural economy – released its 2023 Year Ahead report, “Forces that will Shape the U.S. Rural Economy.” The report examines several key factors that will shape agriculture and market sectors that serve rural communities throughout the U.S.

The Iowa Area Development Group and its electric cooperative, municipal utility and independent telecommunication company partners annually recognize growing companies with an Iowa Venture Award. The following companies were honored at a luncheon during the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives’ annual meeting on Dec. 1.

During the holiday season, shopping local is one of the easiest ways to support your friends and neighbors who are also business owners. To help your holiday gift-giving or list-making, we’ve combined a list of electric cooperative-served businesses that offer unique gifts to place under the Christmas tree or in a stocking.

As part of National Co-op Month, Gov. Kim Reynolds has declared October as Cooperative Month in Iowa. During this month, cooperatives of all types and from all industries reaffirm their member-owned mission and commitment to the communities they serve.

Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) and its member cooperatives have led thousands of consumer members through the Dakotas on annual Energy Trail Tours for decades. The tour connects western Iowa members with the generation resources and the people responsible for delivering electric power to their homes, farms and businesses.

Meet the three winners of the Touchstone Energy^® Cooperatives of Iowa 2022 Shine the Light contest! These individuals were selected based on making a positive difference in their community and have each been awarded a $2,000 donation to their charity.

Following the cooperative principle of “Concern for Community,” Iowa rural utilities have supported hometown grocery stores across the state. The following are a few inspiring examples of how rural communities have rallied to keep their grocery stores a vital part of their towns and region.

To celebrate local volunteers, the Shine the Light contest returned for a second year and received 68 entries during the month of June. Please join us in celebrating these nominees for their outstanding commitment to community.

Bruce Nuzum was recently named president of the organization following Rand Fisher’s retirement in January. We sat down with Nuzum to learn more about him, including his vision for IADG and rural economic development efforts in Iowa.

In Iowa, an estimated 30,000 nonprofit organizations are helping to enrich their communities and serve their residents. Iowa rural electric cooperatives know the importance of these organizations and assist these organizations in many ways.