Manager Connection: Member-Owned Co-ops

General Manager Syd Briggs

In October, electric cooperatives across the country take time to recognize National Co-op Month and reflect on the unique advantages of being part of a cooperative.

It’s also the perfect time to thank you—the members who make it all possible. For us, it’s a chance to reaffirm the values that guide everything we do.

As general manager, I see purpose in action every single day. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our co-op doesn’t exist to make profits for distant shareholders. We exist to serve you—our members, our neighbors, and our communities. That purpose is what sets us apart. It’s why we were founded, and it’s what continues to drive every decision we make.

At its core, being a cooperative means we are member-owned and locally controlled. That’s not just a tagline; it’s the very heart of our business model. Members have a voice in how our co-op operates. You elect board members who live right here in our service area and understand the unique challenges and opportunities our communities face. Decisions aren’t made in corporate boardrooms hundreds of miles away; they’re made here at home, by people who care about the same things you do.

This local accountability means we can stay focused on what matters most: delivering safe, reliable, affordable electricity and providing real value to the people we serve.

Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric does that by investing in essential infrastructure upgrades and technologies that strengthen our local grid and improve electric service.

We work hard to manage costs and keep rates as low as possible—because we know how much rising prices affect families and small businesses in our area. And when storms hit or outages occur, Steele-Waseca crews are here and ready to respond quickly, because we live here too.

But our commitment doesn’t end at the power lines. Co-ops were built to meet community needs, and that purpose extends well beyond delivering electricity. Whether we’re supporting local schools, youth programs, or volunteer organizations, we are always looking for ways to improve the quality of life in the places we serve. Community support isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of our mission.

We’re also planning for the future. As electricity demand grows due to new technologies and economic development, electric co-ops are working to ensure we continue to meet those needs with a balanced, reliable energy mix. We know our members care about affordability and dependability, and we’re committed to delivering both.

That’s the power of the cooperative difference. That’s what it means to be powered by purpose.

This National Co-op Month, I encourage you to take pride in your cooperative membership. You’re not just a customer—you’re an owner, a stakeholder, and a vital part of a larger effort to keep our community strong, connected, and energized.

Thank you for the trust you place in us. We’re proud to be your local electric cooperative. 

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