Honoring the Cooperative Spirit
October 1, 2025
Every October, cooperatives across the U.S., including Union Power, come together to celebrate National Co-op Month. This annual event honors nearly 30,000 cooperatives across all industries and the vital role they play in supporting their communities.
As an electric cooperative, we are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life by providing reliable and affordable power. Unlike investor-owned utilities, every decision we make is guided by what is best for you and our communities. For us, it’s more than the electric business; it’s about being a part of something bigger.
Our employees and board of directors live, work, and raise their families in our five-county service territory and care deeply about these areas. This is why we dedicate our efforts and resources to supporting local economic growth, youth programs, scholarships, charitable giving, and many other initiatives to make our communities a better place to call home.
Everything we do is governed by seven guiding principles that embody our values and spirit. These principles are at the heart of every co-op and help all 26 North Carolina electric coops navigate challenges and opportunities while remaining true to our purpose in serving our members.
- Voluntary and Open Membership
- Co-op membership is open to anyone using the co-op’s services.
- Democratic Member Control
- Our members vote for their board of directors to lead the cooperative and make decisions that will help shape and ensure that our structure aligns with the community’s needs.
- Members’ Economic Participation
- Members contribute financially to the co-op by paying their monthly electric bill, allowing us to continue to provide reliable service.
- Autonomy and Independence
- Co-ops operate independently, which ultimately benefits the members and allows them to be heard.
- Education, Training, and Information
- Co-ops prioritize continuous employee education and training. This provides our employees with the knowledge and skills to contribute effectively and understand the value of co-ops.
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives
- Cooperatives benefit from collaborating with other cooperatives, making our business model unique and strong. For instance, when other co-ops need extra assistance during a major outage, cooperatives across the country come together to restore power quickly. This is the incredible power of cooperation.
- Concern for Community
- All cooperatives work for the greater good of the communities they serve. Co-ops have a big heart for giving back to local organizations, kids, and industries to help them thrive and grow.