Manager Articles

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

JANUARY 2026

90 Years of Powering Our Community

As we welcome a new year, we also step into an important moment in our cooperative’s history. In 2026, Darke Rural Electric Cooperative celebrates 90 years since the first pole was set and the first lines were energized. That milestone is more than a date on a calendar—it represents the enduring strength of a community that chose to build something together.

When this cooperative began in 1936, rural families and farms across our area were still waiting for the opportunity to have electricity in their homes. It took determination, vision, and neighbors working side by side to bring power to the countryside. The people who formed this cooperative understood something fundamental: when a community invests in itself, it creates a better future for everyone. That belief has guided us ever since.

The world looks much different today, but the foundation of Darke REC has remained steady. The cooperative principles that shaped us 90 years ago continue to shape us now. Member ownership, democratic control, concern for community—these are not ideas from another era. They are the values that drive every decision we make and every improvement we pursue. They remind us that our responsibility is, and has always been, to the people we serve.

As we enter this anniversary year, I find myself thinking about what it truly means to be a member of an electric cooperative. Membership is not passive. It means you have a voice. It means the money you invest stays right here, strengthening the community you call home. It means you are part of something built on trust and shared purpose, not profit or outside control. That model has stood the test of time for nine decades, and it remains just as relevant in 2026 as it did in 1936.

We continue to invest in the reliability, safety, and long-term resilience of our system—not because it’s required, but because it’s what our members deserve. From enhanced outage communication to infrastructure improvements to everyday service, our focus remains on delivering power that is safe, reliable, and affordable. The tools and technology may evolve, but the commitment behind them does not.

Ninety years is a remarkable milestone, and it gives us the opportunity to look back with gratitude and look ahead with purpose. Our cooperative was built by the hands and hopes of local families, and it has been carried forward by generations who believed in the same mission. Today, we continue that work with renewed dedication and a clear understanding of who we are.

Thank you for being part of this cooperative—whether you’ve been a member for decades or joined recently. Your support, your involvement, and your trust are what allow Darke REC to thrive. As we begin our 90th year, I am honored to lead this cooperative forward and proud of the legacy we share.

Here’s to a meaningful year ahead, and to many more years of powering our community.