Over the years, you’ve probably heard or read about Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation’s concern for our community. This is one of the core principles that sets cooperatives apart from other types of utilities and businesses. We’ve always taken this mission and responsibility to heart. It’s who we are as a co-op.

In these past few months, like so many of you, we’ve risen to meet new challenges and strengthen our community’s safety net, particularly for those who are most vulnerable. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve made numerous adjustments to programs and operations to maintain business continuity while staying focused on the bigger mission of helping our consumer-members during this turbulent time.

Now, with the holidays fast approaching, these recent events have made us pause and think about the role we play in our community. While our purpose is to provide safe and reliable energy to you, the members we serve, we have a greater mission––to be a catalyst for good.

You’re probably aware of our UCEMC Cares program, where we take donations from generous members like you who have “rounded up” the amount due on their electric bill to help children get the food they need, therapeutic programs, summer camp, and athletic safety equipment for their youth teams that they could not otherwise afford. Or, perhaps you’ve heard about our Youth Tour program, where we take our community’s brightest young people to Washington, D.C. for a week-long immersion to experience democracy in action.  

Celebrating the installation of the EV Charging station in Livingston Central Park are L-R: Shannon Cantrell, Overton County Chamber of Commerce; Michael Hayes, Parks and Rec. Director; UCEMC GM, Jimmy Gregory; District Manager Ben Winningham; and Livingston City Mayor Curtis Hayes.

We also have a strong commitment to safety––not just for our employees but also for our community. We visit schools to teach children of all ages how to stay safe around electricity. We hold safety demonstrations at community meetings and other gatherings. We post important electrical safety videos, news, and information on our website and Facebook.

     UCEMC invests in the economic development of the community. This fall, UCEMC set up Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in Carthage and Livingston as part of a Tennessee Tech study of EV use in rural areas. Read more about the EV experiment in the NEWSROOM. You’ll also see our employees serving on local boards, coaching youth sports, and volunteering at charitable events. Because when you work at a co-op, you understand how important a strong community is––after all, without you, the co-op wouldn’t exist. We know that our core job is to keep the lights on, but our passion is our community. Because we live and work here too, and we want to make it a better place for all. If there’s anything UCEMC can do to help you––whether providing energy-saving advice to help lower your monthly bill or discuss payment plan options during these difficult times––please reach out to us at 1-800-261-2940. Concern for the community is the heart and soul of who we are. And no matter what the future brings, you can count on UCEMC – your electric co-op – to care about you.

 Here’s to a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!