Investor Spotlight
Boone Electric Cooperative
This month the spotlight shines on Boone Electric Cooperative, an electric utility that provides electricity and other services to rural Boone County and portions of Audrain, Callaway, Howard, Monroe and Randolph counties. BEC is a non-profit, rural electric cooperative owned by its members.
BEC was the first rural electric cooperative to organize in Missouri. Since 1936, BEC has been improving the lives of its members by providing a dependable supply of electric energy. BEC is dedicated to its mission to provide electricity and other services at the lowest possible cost consistent with sound business practices and cooperative principles.
Cooperative employees work closely with developers, business owners and local government entities to ensure that the electric infrastructure is designed, built and maintained in order to promote growth within BEC's service territory.
BEC also provides a variety of services to its members and the community. Boone Electric Satellite Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of BEC, is an authorized DirecTV retailer and service provider. In 2000, BEC joined a cooperative alliance with Consolidated Electric Cooperative, MFA Oil Company, Monroe County Service Company and the Audrain Cooperative Association to form Consolidated Energy LLC, a propane company that serves the mid-Missouri region.
The Boone Electric Community Trust has donated nearly $1 million to area charitable organizations and projects that promote community, rural and youth development. The Trust receives its funding in part from contributions made by generous BEC members who round up their monthly electric bill to the nearest whole dollar.
The cooperative offers many free services to its members. New home builders can get a free electric water heater. Existing homeowners can get a free home energy audit on their home to help reduce their energy bills.
Members who meet income guidelines may also receive assistance from The Energy Team, a group of BEC employee-volunteers who complete energy efficiency projects on members' homes. The Energy Team is a collaboration between BEC and the local Salvation Army.
"Boone Electric Cooperative operates on four core principles - innovation, accountability, integrity and commitment to community," says General Manager & CEO Roger Clark. "BEC has been supporting the growth and development of mid-Missouri for 68 years and we are proud to continue our strong tradition."
For more information, visit www.booneelectric.com