By Jaxon Vredingburgh

Jaxon is a junior at Peabody High School. His short story is the overall winner in our 2025 Cooperative Writing Contest. Jaxon’s story has been submitted at the state level. This year’s theme is Energizing Every Moment.

In the heart of West Tennessee, two friends, Dean and Sam, set off on an adventure to uncover the story of electric cooperatives. It was a crisp January morning, and they’d heard about these cooperatives energizing their communities in ways far beyond just providing power. Curious and eager to learn, they ventured to a small rural town near Jackson, Tennessee.

“Alright, Sam,” Dean said, adjusting his jacket as they walked through a quiet street lined with old brick buildings. “I’ve been hearing a lot about electric co-ops around here. What’s the big deal? I mean, they’re just electric companies, right?”

Sam grinned. “Oh, they’re a lot more than that. These co-ops are different. They’re run by the people they serve, not shareholders. Every decision is made for the community, not a distant corporate office.”

Dean raised an eyebrow. “Sounds interesting. But how does that even work? How are these places different from, say, a regular utility?”

Sam led the way down a narrow road towards a building with a modest sign that read “Green River Electric Cooperative.” “Let me show you. This is where it all begins. You’ll see what makes these co-ops unique.”

Inside the cooperative, they met Jessica, a friendly employee who had worked there for years. She gave them a tour of the facility, explaining the core principles behind the electric co-ops. “One principle we take very seriously,” she said, “is autonomy and independence.” We make our own decisions, independent of big corporations. This allows us to focus on what’s best for our members here in West Tennessee.”

Jessica continues to explain, “Tennessee’s electric cooperatives provide power to more than 3 million Tennesseans. Unlike other businesses, electric cooperatives are owned by the consumers they serve and operate as not-for-profit businesses. This might not sound important, but it means that consumers are the priority. Rates are kept low because there are no stockholders to pay, and the co-op is responsive to members because they vote on co-op leadership.”

“I keep on seeing all of these “TECA” signs everywhere, what are they?” Dean asked.

Jessica replies, “TECA is the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association. It is a trade association established to serve the needs of Tennessee’s electric cooperatives. The association represents 23 individual power distributors including Tennessee’s 22 electric cooperatives and one municipal system. TECA exists to provide leadership, advocacy and support to unify and empower Tennessee’s consumer-owned electric co-ops. The association empowers cooperatives to improve everyday life for their consumer-owners through the reliable delivery of safe and affordable energy and the advancement of Tennessee’s rural and suburban communities.”

Dean replies, “Doesn’t this also affect our rural communities throughout the world?”

“You’re correct, it does,” Jessica agrees. “Our modern education, healthcare and commerce all depend on access to the internet. When broadband is unavailable, too slow or too expensive, the impacts can be profound with jobs and capital investment located elsewhere, students falling behind their urban peers and existing businesses missing out on opportunities to sell their goods and services. To support the growing technology and communication needs of modern power grids, many co-ops already operate internal fiber optic networks that reach deep into rural Tennessee. Co-ops have a legacy of expanding critical infrastructure beyond the city limits. A generation ago, the issue was electricity. Today, it is broadband.”

“Wasn’t there a president associated with all of this?” Sam asked.

“Yes! On May 18th, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Tennessee Valley Authority Act which created a federal agency to provide river navigation, flood control, electric generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley,” Jessica said. “He also created the Rural Electrification Administration, which made federal funds available to provide rural electric service. Existing power companies expressed little interest, so the leaders of farm organizations proposed the formation of nonprofit electric cooperatives.”

“What does all of this mean?” Dean asked.

“Well, the co-ops represent people all across Tennessee, but it’s not just about keeping the lights on. They advocate for policies that protect rural communities, run leadership programs for students and even offer grants for economic development,” Sam replied.

“That’s pretty cool. I figured they just handled the business side of electricity, but it sounds like they’re involved in supporting local communities,” Dean stated.