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Did you know that you and other members who use our services actually own West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC)? That’s not the only way your cooperative is special. Cooperatives care about people and community. We do much more than safely power your everyday life with affordable and reliable power.

Ever since the people living here in 1937 formed WFEC, our mission has been to meet needs in the area. When other utilities were not willing to bring electricity to the homes, farms and businesses here, local people banded together and did so themselves. As the first member-owners of this cooperative, they improved the quality of life for themselves, their neighbors and future generations.

Today, your cooperative continues to improve lives. That’s why we promote job development and support education and healthcare. In doing so, we help the community and the people we serve: our member-owners. You will also see our employees, who live and work in these communities, spending their time volunteering to coach baseball, football, volleyball and many other sports.

As a not-for-profit electric provider, we do not have shareholders. We are owned and governed by our members. One tangible benefit cooperative members receive is capital credits, or money back to you. We set aside funds to improve and maintain our system, as well as money to cover unexpected costs. The margins are returned to members. That’s different from a for-profit utility, which returns profits to its shareholders rather than to members.

We help our communities and the local economy prosper, too. Our economic development team works hard to attract new industries to our region and to help existing businesses thrive. New jobs help people provide for their families. As employees spend money for necessities and other items locally, the area economy benefits.

We believe it’s important to give back through support of local nonprofit and civic organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Walk to Remember, Covenant Hospice and many more.

To build a brighter future for us all, we’re helping grow tomorrow’s leaders. Local students see doors open through college scholarships and opportunities like the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Through this program, high schoolers learn about the electric cooperative business model and see our governments at work in our state and national capitols.

We also teach students about electrical safety, provide grants that help teachers bring new ideas to life in their classrooms and host workshops to equip educators with balanced energy education tools.

From the crews that keep you powered to those answering the phones, our employees live in your communities, too. As your neighbors and friends, our goal is to provide you with the best service possible. You’ll find us in the heart of the communities we serve.

You are so much more than just a customer at WFEC. Putting you first is another way your hometown electric cooperative is always here for you.