Grundy County Rural Electric Cooperative

At Grundy County Rural Electric Cooperative, we are dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service to rural families, farms, and industries in Grundy, Black Hawk, Marshall, Tama, Butler, and Hardin Counties. Our commitment to serving the community is deeply rooted in our mission, vision, and values, which guide our actions and decisions every day.

Mission, Vision & Values

Our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electric service to our member-owners. We strive to be responsive to their needs, provide excellent customer service, and foster a positive work environment for our employees. Our vision is to be the premier electric cooperative in the region, known for our commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and community involvement.

Our core values include safety, integrity, accountability, teamwork, and respect for our members and employees. We believe that these values are essential to achieving our mission and vision, and they guide our actions and decisions every day.

About Touchstone Energy

Grundy County REC is a proud member of Touchstone Energy, a nationwide alliance of more than 750 local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives. Together, we serve more than 30 million members and operate in 46 states. Our affiliation with Touchstone Energy allows us to leverage the collective strength and resources of our member cooperatives to provide better service to our members.

The Cooperative Difference

As a cooperative, we are owned and controlled by our members, who have a direct say in the direction of the organization. This unique structure allows us to focus on serving the needs of our members rather than maximizing profits for shareholders. Our members also benefit from our commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable electric service, as well as our support for local economic development and community initiatives.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Grundy County REC is committed to providing equal opportunities and services to all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe that everyone deserves access to safe, reliable, and affordable electric service, and we strive to ensure that our services are available to all members of our community.

The Seven Cooperative Principles

As a cooperative, we adhere to the Seven Cooperative Principles, which were established by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1995. These principles are:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership

2. Democratic Member Control

3. Members' Economic Participation

4. Autonomy and Independence

5. Education, Training, and Information

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives

7. Concern for Community

These principles guide our actions and decisions, and they help us to maintain our commitment to serving our members and the community.

Articles of Incorporation

Grundy County REC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa, and our articles of incorporation outline our purpose, powers, and organizational structure. These documents are available for review by our members and the public upon request.

Co-op By-Laws

Our by-laws provide more detailed information about our organizational structure, member rights and responsibilities, and the operation of our cooperative. They are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that they remain relevant and effective.

Board Of Directors

Our board of directors is composed of seven members who are elected by our member-consumers. The board sets our policies, oversees our operations, and makes strategic decisions about our future direction. Our board members are committed to serving the best interests of our members and the cooperative.

Annual Meeting

Each year, we hold an annual meeting for our members to discuss our operations, financial performance, and future plans. This meeting provides an opportunity for our members to ask questions, provide feedback, and exercise their voting rights.

Careers

We are always looking for talented and dedicated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in a career with Grundy County REC, please visit our careers page for more information about available positions and how to apply.

Economic Development

We are committed to supporting local economic development and helping our community grow and thrive. We offer a variety of programs and services to help businesses and industries succeed, including key accounts, industrial park revolving loan fund, and more.

Key Accounts

Our key accounts program provides specialized support and services to our largest commercial and industrial members. This program helps us to better understand their needs and provide customized solutions to meet those needs.

Iowa Economic Development Group

We are a member of the Iowa Economic Development Group, a statewide organization that promotes economic development and job creation in Iowa. Through this affiliation, we have access to additional resources and expertise that help us to support local businesses and industries.

Industrial Park Revolving Loan Fund

We offer a revolving loan fund for businesses and industries located in our service area. This fund provides financing for a variety of projects, including new construction, expansion, and equipment purchases.

Member Services

We offer a variety of services to our members, including home energy assessments, yard light program, scholarships, payment options, youth tour, patronage (capital credits), and more. These services are designed to help our members save money, improve their homes, and stay informed about our cooperative.

Co-op Connections Savings

Through our affiliation with Touchstone Energy, we offer the Co-op Connections program, which provides discounts and savings on a variety of products and services. This program helps our members to save money and get the most value from their membership in our cooperative.

Home Energy Assessments

We offer home energy assessments to help our members identify ways to save energy and reduce their utility bills. These assessments are conducted by trained professionals who use specialized equipment to evaluate the energy efficiency of a home.

Yard Light Program

Our yard light program provides affordable and convenient outdoor lighting solutions for our members. We offer a variety of options to meet different needs and preferences, including energy-efficient LED lights and solar-powered lights.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships to local students who are pursuing higher education. These scholarships are funded through our Operation Round Up program, which rounds up member bills to the nearest dollar and donates the change to support local charities and causes.

Payment Options

We offer a variety of payment options to make it easy for our members to pay their bills on time. These options include online bill pay, automatic bank draft, and more.

Youth Tour

Each year, we sponsor a youth tour to Washington, D.C., for local high school students. This tour provides an opportunity for students to learn about our nation's capital, meet with elected officials, and participate in educational activities and workshops.

Patronage (Capital Credits)

As a cooperative, we return any excess revenues to our members in the form of patronage (capital credits). These credits are based on the amount of electricity purchased by each member and are returned to members periodically.

Homeward Inc. Energy Assistance Program

We partner with Homeward Inc. to provide energy assistance to low-income families and individuals in our service area. This program helps to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable electric service.

Iowa Electric Cooperative Living

We are a member of Iowa Electric Cooperative Living, a statewide organization that represents the interests of electric cooperatives and their members. Through this affiliation, we have access to additional resources and expertise that help us to serve our members more effectively.

High Bill Causes

We understand that high utility bills can be a burden for our members, and we are committed to helping them identify ways to save energy and reduce their costs. Our high bill causes program provides information and resources to help members understand the factors that contribute to high bills and take steps to lower their energy usage.

Energy Bill Explanation

We believe that our members have the right to understand their energy bills and how they are calculated. Our energy bill explanation program provides detailed information about the various components of an energy bill, including the cost of electricity, taxes, and other fees.

Co-op Month Activities

Each October, we celebrate Co-op Month by hosting a variety of activities and events for our members. These events include open houses, member appreciation days, and educational workshops on topics such as energy efficiency and safety.

Unclaimed Patronage

We are committed to returning patronage (capital credits) to our members, and we make every effort to locate members who have unclaimed patronage. If you believe you have unclaimed patronage, please contact us to learn more about how to claim it.

Safety

We are committed to ensuring the safety of our members, employees, and the general public. We provide information and resources on electrical safety, and we encourage everyone to take steps to prevent electrical accidents and injuries.

Electrical Safety

We believe that electrical safety is critical to protecting people and property. Our electrical safety program provides information and resources on how to identify and mitigate electrical hazards, and we offer electrical safety quizzes and coloring pages for kids.

Iowa One Call

We are a member of Iowa One Call, a statewide organization that promotes safe digging practices and prevents damage to underground utilities. Through this affiliation, we help to ensure that our members and the general public have access to the information and resources they need to dig safely.

Electrical Safety Checklist

We provide an electrical safety checklist to help our members identify potential electrical hazards in their homes and businesses. This checklist covers a variety of topics, including outlets, cords, and electrical panels.

Electrical Safety Quiz

We offer an electrical safety quiz to help our members test their knowledge of electrical safety principles and practices. This quiz is designed to be fun and educational, and it provides valuable information and resources on how to stay safe around electricity.

Electrical Safety Coloring Pages

We provide electrical safety coloring pages for kids to help them learn about electrical safety in a fun and engaging way. These coloring pages are available for download on our website.

Outage Tools

We understand that power outages can be inconvenient and disruptive, and we are committed to restoring service as quickly and safely as possible. Our outage tools provide information and resources to help our members prepare for and respond to outages, including tips on how to stay safe and how to report an outage.

Report An Outage

If you experience a power outage, please contact us immediately to report it. We have a variety of ways for you to report an outage, including online reporting, phone, and mobile app.

Outage Map

Our outage map provides real-time information about current outages in our service area. This map allows you to view the location and extent of outages, as well as estimated restoration times.

Energy Efficiency Programs

We offer a variety of energy efficiency programs to help our members save energy and reduce their utility bills. These programs include home energy assessments, rebate forms, and more.

Home Energy Assessments

Our home energy assessments are designed to help our members identify ways to save energy and reduce their utility bills. These assessments are conducted by trained professionals who use specialized equipment to evaluate the energy efficiency of a home.

Rebate Forms

We offer rebate forms for our members who install energy-efficient appliances and equipment. These rebates help to offset the cost of purchasing energy-efficient products and encourage our members to make energy-saving improvements to their homes and businesses.

Smart Choices

Our Smart Choices program provides information and resources on how to make smart energy choices and reduce energy usage. This program covers a variety of topics, including energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling systems.

Smart Choices Sign-Up

We encourage our members to sign up for our Smart Choices program to receive regular updates and information on how to save energy and reduce their utility bills.

Together We Save

We believe that together, we can make a difference and save energy for our community. Our Together We Save program provides information and resources on how to work together to reduce energy usage and promote energy efficiency.

Choose EV Products

We offer a variety of electric vehicle (EV) products and services to help our members make the transition to electric vehicles. These products include EV charging stations, EV rate plans, and more.

Marathon Water Heaters

We offer Marathon water heaters as a convenient and energy-efficient solution for our members' hot water needs. These water heaters are designed to provide a continuous supply of hot water while minimizing energy usage.

Furnace Filters

We provide furnace filters to help our members keep their heating systems running efficiently and effectively. These filters help to improve indoor air quality and reduce energy usage.

Renewable Energy

We are committed to promoting renewable energy and supporting our members who are interested in generating their own electricity. Our renewable energy programs include Iowa Energy Center, Iowa Choice Renewables, wind and solar-DG, and more.

Iowa Energy Center

We are a member of the Iowa Energy Center, a statewide organization that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy in Iowa. Through this affiliation, we have access to additional resources and expertise that help us to serve our members more effectively.

Iowa Choice Renewables

Our Iowa Choice Renewables program provides information and resources on how to generate renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. This program covers a variety of topics, including wind energy, solar energy, and more.

Wind and Solar-DG

We offer wind and solar-DG programs to help our members generate renewable energy and reduce their utility bills. These programs provide information and resources on how to install wind turbines and solar panels, as well as how to connect these systems to the grid.