October is National Co-op Month, an annual celebration of what makes co-ops different and the difference co-ops make. You can see the cooperative business model in action across a variety of industries, from agriculture to grocery to utilities. Electric cooperatives like Union Power are based in the communities they serve, independent and governed by a board of directors, which is elected by their members, not shareholders.

Although independent, Union Power is part of a network of 26 electric co-ops in North Carolina sharing a vision to build a brighter future for co-op members and communities through commitments to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric service, as well as community and economic development.

While working toward our Brighter Future vision, we will continue to uphold the seven guiding principles of cooperative businesses:

• Autonomy and independence
• Concern for community
• Cooperation among cooperatives
• Democratic member control
• Education, training, and information
• Members’ economic participation
• Voluntary and open membership

The principle of concern for community is woven deeply into programs like Bright Ideas Education Grants, Union Power College Scholarships, Touchstone Energy Sports Camp Scholarships, and our rural economic development work.