Manager Articles

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

FEBRUARY 2026

Times change, but our mission remains the same: reliably powering members’ lives

For nearly 90 years, Darke Rural Electric Cooperative has had a clear and steady purpose: to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to the homes, farms and businesses we serve. From the first poles set across rural Darke County to the system our members rely on today, reliability has always been at the heart of our mission.

Reliable electricity does not happen by accident. Behind every light turned on, every well pump running, and every piece of equipment powering a family farm is a distribution system that requires constant care and thoughtful investment. Our system is made up of poles, wires, transformers, and substations — all working together to deliver power where it is needed, when it is needed.

Much of this infrastructure was built decades ago. While it has served our community well, time and use take a toll. Routine maintenance helps extend the life of our equipment, but proactive repairs and upgrades are essential to maintaining safety and reliability. Replacing aging poles, improving lines, and upgrading equipment reduces the likelihood of outages and helps us restore power more quickly when disruptions occur.

As the way we use electricity continues to evolve, reliability remains more important than ever. Homes rely on electricity for comfort, safety, and daily routines, while farms depend on consistent power for livestock care, grain handling, and essential operations. Our responsibility is to ensure the system can support these needs today and remain dependable well into the future.

Today, all Darke REC members are served by meters that allow usage to be read remotely. This means meters no longer need to be read in person, improving accuracy, efficiency, and safety. These tools help our team better understand system performance, respond more quickly to issues, and focus more time and resources on maintaining the electric system itself.

We are also in the process of implementing a new mapping system scheduled for completion in early 2026. This investment will give our crews better visibility into our electric system infrastructure, allowing them to locate outages more quickly, plan maintenance more effectively, and improve communication during restoration efforts.

As a member-owned cooperative, we take our responsibility seriously when it comes to managing costs. Every investment we make is carefully considered with long-term reliability in mind. A strong electric system supports rural living, protects essential services, and ensures dependable power for everyday life.

Our commitment to reliability runs deeper than poles and wires. It reflects the same promise made nearly 90 years ago, when neighbors came together to bring electricity to rural counties in Ohio. While tools and technology have evolved, our purpose has not changed.

By continuing to invest in our local electric system, we are honoring our past and building a reliable foundation for the future — ensuring Darke Rural Electric Cooperative is ready to serve our members for generations to come.