2024 Frankfort Youth Tour

In today’s fast-paced world, staying connected with friends and family has never been more essential. With that in mind, Gibson Connect has launched our Friends and Family Campaign to give our subscribers the chance to share the gift of high-speed internet with those who are important to them, all while earning rewards. New subscribers will not only benefit from their new reliable, high-speed internet, but they, too, will receive a reward.

How it Works

• Refer a Friend Credit: Current subscribers who refer a new subscriber will receive a $20 bill credit for each successful referral.
• Welcome Aboard Credit: New subscribers who join through a referral will also enjoy a $20 bill credit applied to their first bill.

It’s simple! The new subscriber just needs to enter the phone number of the referring existing subscriber in the referral code box during the sign-up process.

Building Community, One Connection at a Time

The Friends and Family Campaign is more than just a referral program; it’s a celebration of community and the bonds that bring us together. By sharing Gibson Connect with those closest to you, you’re not only helping them access quality internet service, you’re also fostering a stronger, more connected community.

As we approach the holiday season, think of all the moments that can be shared online—family gatherings, virtual celebrations, and staying in touch with loved ones near and far. By participating in this campaign, you can help ensure that everyone has the tools they need to connect.

For more information, visit www.gibsoncoops.com or contact our member service team at 731-562-6000.

As national cooperative month begins, Gibson Electric Membership Corporation is excited to celebrate you—our valued member-owner. Let us show our appreciation for your support by joining us at your local member appreciation event.

Why Cooperative Month Matters

Gibson Electric stands apart from traditional utilities because we’re owned by you—the people who use our services. This unique model means you have a say in how we operate and share in our successes. Cooperative Month is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the benefits of being a member-owner and the spirit of our community.

Member Appreciation Event: What to Expect

Your lunch is on us. We’ll have your choice of pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwich, chips, drinks and desserts. You may register and pick up your food to go, or you can dine-in and visit with us. The event will also feature booths highlighting some of our most popular services like Gibson Connect Internet, phone and television, and convenient PayGo Billing. Be sure to pick up giveaways at our booths.

These events are a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow members, enjoy delicious food, and learn more about the services we offer. Come celebrate with us and see firsthand how Gibson Electric is committed to serving you.

Thank You for Being a Part of Our Cooperative

As we celebrate Cooperative Month, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your support and participation. Your involvement is what makes Gibson Electric a success. We look forward to seeing you at our Member Appreciation Event and to another year of cooperation and community spirit.

Events will be held on the following dates from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

October 3 at Clinton Member Service Center

October 15 at Troy Member Service Center

October 17 at Trenton Operations Building

October 22 at Alamo Member Service Center

November 7 at Tiptonville Ellington Assembly Hall

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Do you hit the snooze button when someone starts talking about kilowatts, electricity usage, or energy efficiency? It’s true—sometimes these can be pretty dry topics. What if you could get serious money back to make your home more energy efficient? And you could continue to keep more cash in your wallet every month because of those efforts?

Here’s the Scoop

Uncle Sam will pay you to make your home more energy efficient. If you’ve upgraded appliances or made home weatherization improvements to your primary residence since 2023, you may be eligible for tax credits or rebates for energy-efficient improvements. Here’s a sampling of what’s covered: upgraded exterior windows and doors, insulation high-efficiency (think Energy Star-rated) heat pumps, water heaters, heating, and cooling equipment, appliances, and switching to an electric vehicle or adding a home charger or rooftop solar system.

More Money, More Comfort

So, how does it work? Federal tax credits of up to $3200 per year can be claimed with your federal income taxes for the year when the upgrades are made. Just complete IRS Form 5695, follow IRS instructions, and include the form when filing your tax return. You’ll need to know the total cost of the upgrades and include relevant receipts. Given how annual total limits are structured, consider spreading your home energy efficiency improvements over a few years. Planning your upgrades can help maximize the annual credit amounts you can claim. As with any tax matter, consulting a tax professional is a good idea.

Don’t Leave Money on the Table

While the federal tax credits are managed by the IRS, federal energy rebates are handled by the states. Check here to see if your energy efficiency improvements qualify for a rebate. Keep in mind, you’ll need similar documentation and the total amount spent on the upgrades. Your wallet will thank you for the effort needed to get the cash back!

Play it Again

Let’s recap why it (literally) pays to amp up your energy efficiency efforts. Energy-efficient upgrades typically reduce consumption, lower utility bills over time and lessen the environmental impact. Not to mention, you can say adios to drafts and cold spots with energy-efficient windows and doors, and hello to improved indoor air quality with cleaner heating and cooling systems. So, what are you waiting for?

The Bottom Line

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation is all about helping our members save money and energy. Follow us on our social channels or check out gibsoncoops.com to learn more about how you can take advantage of these federal incentives for other ways to start putting more money back in your wallet.

Gibson Electric Membership Corporation Line Crew Leader Jeff Milam and Apprentice Lineworkers Garrett Dowdy, Brock Swaw, Clay Sawyer and Mason Cherry competed at the 27th Annual Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo in Chattanooga. Gibson Electric VP of Engineering and Operations Barry Smith was the Chief Judge of the Apprentice Written Test. He also served as the Master Judge and is President of the Rodeo Board of Directors. Member Care Team Leader Lois Milligan served as an auditor, and Field Engineer Jeff Boyd and Line Crew Leader Jeff Milam were judges for the competitions. Communications and Marketing Specialist Taylor Catlett served as the photographer. We are proud of our lineworkers for representing Gibson Electric well in this two-day event that showcases their skills and helps them be better prepared to do their jobs. We also are proud of our other employees for their service in planning for and working during this event.

Students from western Kentucky and northwest Tennessee got the opportunity of a lifetime to spend a week in our nation’s capital as delegates of the 2024 Washington Youth Tour. Ayden Anderson, At-Large; Sophie Hatcher, Crockett County; Breanna Harrell, Gibson County; Jason Hedgepath, Lake County; Gavin Wheelis, Obion County; and Jonathan Young, Fulton County, Kentucky made the weeklong trip that began on Friday, June14.

This annual event is sponsored by Gibson Electric Membership Corporation. The students were selected for the trip by writing a short story titled “Co-ops Connect” that explains how co-ops connect communities with energy, education, broadband, economic development and more.

“Chaperoning the best and brightest of on a trip of a lifetime to Washington, D.C., each year is a highlight of my job here at Gibson Electric,” said Sarah Williams, Member Services Specialist. “This year’s delegates represented Gibson Electric well at our nation’s capital and are coming back home with the knowledge and leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.”

The Washington Youth Tour’s nonstop, seven-day itinerary is jam-packed with places to visit and experiences to give the Youth Tour delegates a trip that they will never forget. Highlights include a guided memorials tour around the city, visiting museums at the Smithsonian Institute, touring Washington’s Mount Vernon and Jefferson’s Monticello and taking a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. Delegates also got to see Washington, D.C., staples like the White House, U.S. Capitol and the Washington National Cathedral.

“An investment in the Washington Youth Tour delegates today is also an investment in the future of co-op communities across Tennessee,” said Dan Rodamaker, Gibson Electric and Gibson Connect President and CEO. “The future is bright for this group of Youth Tour delegates. We are honored to be a part of supporting their academic journeys and look forward to seeing what the future has in store for them and the impact they will have on their communities.”

The Washington Youth Tour was inspired by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1957 when he encouraged electric cooperatives to send young people to the nation’s capital.

June is National Safety Month, and safety starts at home. 

Join the observance by checking for electrical accidents waiting to happen in your home. Here’s how: 

• Inspect every appliance in your home to determine if it is still in working order. Turn each one on and then off as you listen to the sound of the motor. Inspect plugs and cords for damage.  
• If you have young children at home, plug wall outlets with child-safety caps.  
• When you replace appliances, buy the ones with a rating from a testing laboratory like UL.  
• Choose lightbulbs with the correct wattage for each lamp and overhead light fixture. You’ll find the maximum safe wattage imprinted on the fixture. 
• Put away extension cords. They’re designed for temporary use. 
• If you’re hiding any cords under the carpet, move them. Covering cords can cause them to overheat and start a fire.  

On April 8, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day to honor those who power life! Rain or shine, day or night, lineworkers brave challenging conditions to make sure we have electricity when we need it. Their dedication is nothing short of extraordinary and a testament to their commitment to powering our local communities.

Obion County Central High School junior, Hope Baker and Crockett County High School junior, George Goldsby recently represented Gibson Electric at the 2024 Youth Leadership Summit in Nashville.

While there, delegates visited the State Capitol Building where they were welcomed by Secretary of State Tre Hargett and members of the Tennessee General Assembly. Students heard from leaders in the electric industry including NRECA Youth Programs and Training Manager Beth Knudson, as well as leadership speaker and entrepreneur Amy Gallimore. The Youth Leadership Summit also included a day of leadership training at the Joe C. Davis YMCA Outdoor Center, a tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and a Nashville Predators game.

The delegates to the event received a hands-on look at state government, learned networking and leadership skills and developed a better understanding of their local electric cooperatives. Delegates to the Youth Leadership Summit are encouraged to be leaders in their schools and hometowns, and to use their talents to improve rural Tennessee.

Fulton County High School juniors, Jonathan Young and Jackson Major, represented Gibson Electric at the 2024 Frankfort Youth Tour held in Frankfort, Kentucky. Students took a tour of the capital, learned about the state governmental process, and also heard from elected officials including Secretary of State Michael Adams and Governor Andy Beshear. While in Frankfort, students helped re-launch the Co-ops Vote initiative, a non-partisan campaign between Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and the Secretary of State’s office to encourage voting.

Delegates are encouraged to be leaders and active in their towns and schools; they are chosen with the recommendation of both the guidance counselor and principal. Gibson Electric is proud to sponsor these two students’ participation in the Frankfort Youth Tour.