As 2025 came to a close, your co-op found itself in an unusual position: a larger-than-typical balance of unclaimed capital credits, equaling $125,000.
“Capital credits represent the members’ share of ECE’s margins,” describes VP/CFO Lisa Prachar. “They’re returned over time as finances allow, but in some cases, credits go unclaimed when members move and don’t update their contact information.”
We work diligently year-round to locate former members and return these funds, even foregoing an April newsletter so we can print and mail a long list of former members. Despite those efforts, some people simply can’t be found, and their credits remain unclaimed. By law, those dollars cannot be used for general operations or returned through rates. They can only support scholarships and charitable purposes.
Lisa says, “Following the recommendation of our auditors, we decided to direct the excess funds where they could do the most good for the communities we serve.”
A total of $45,000 was allocated to our Caring Members program, which provides emergency assistance to help keep the lights on for members facing potential disconnection. The donation was distributed evenly, with $15,000 each going to the three energy assistance organizations that serve ECE members: Lakes & Pines, Tri-CAP, and WHEAP.
The remaining $80,000 was directed to Operation Round Up®, which members also donate to by voluntarily rounding their monthly electric/fiber bills to the next dollar. This large donation will be reinvested across our 14-county service area through grants that support local nonprofits, youth programs, food pantries, and essential community services like police and fire.
“It was a cooperative solution in the truest sense,” Lisa points out. “The goal was to keep those dollars working locally, helping people and programs that matter to our members.”
One small step. Big local impact.
Join ECE’s Caring Members program and Operation Round Up to help your neighbors and strengthen your community. Adding as little as $1 a month to your bill through the Caring Members program helps local families keep the lights on—and every dollar you give is matched by ECE. With Operation Round Up, rounding your bill to the next dollar turns spare change into grants for charitable organizations right in your own community.
To learn more and enroll in each program, call 1-800-254-7944.
What is it really like to work at East Central Energy? For a handful of local high school students, that question will get answered by stepping straight into the action.
ECE is now accepting applications for our 6th year of COOPx, a one day immersive experience for students in grades 10-12 who want a look at how their cooperative works. After submitting a short written or video essay and completing a brief interview, up to four teens will be selected to spend June 24 at Braham HQ.
This is not a “sit and watch” kind of day. Students will shadow our employees across multiple departments, ask questions, see real jobs in motion, and take part in hands-on activities that show just how much teamwork it takes to run their electric co-op.
Along the way, they’ll learn about career paths they may not have considered and see how many different roles exist right here at home. Each selected student also receives a $500 scholarship to use toward continuing education!
Applications are due April 30.
Have you ever noticed your lights flicker or the power cut out for a split second…and then come right back on?
That quick interruption is called a blink. This is a brief power outage caused by a fault on the line from tree branches, wildlife, wind, or ice. Sometimes when this happens, an automatic safety device reacts instantly, shutting power off for a second or two before restoring it on its own.
“Blinks are a sign the system is doing exactly what it’s designed to do,” explains Operations Manager Jerod Stamper. “Those devices respond in milliseconds to protect equipment and prevent longer outages.”
You may also hear crews mention galloping lines. During high winds or icy conditions, power lines can move or bounce, triggering those same protective devices and causing a blink.
As strange as they seem, blinks are often the electric system quietly doing its job to keep your power reliable!
If you experience a true power outage, visit SmartHub to see if your meter has already reported it (the fastest option) or call 1-800-254-7944.
With winter in full swing, now is the perfect time to cozy up at home. Whether your evenings are filled with favorite movies, friends gathered for a big game, or unwinding after a subzero day, streaming has become a seasonal staple.
ECE Fiber members have free access to MyBundle, an online tool that helps identify which streaming platforms best match your viewing habits. Answer a few quick questions to receive personalized recommendations based on the shows, channels, and sports you enjoy most—then host a game-day watch party or settle in for a comfy night on the couch.
Don’t forget, February brings some of the most exciting moments in sports! Will your favorite football team make it to Super Bowl 2026? What about the heart of hockey season and the build-up to March Madness? There’s no shortage of must-watch action. ECE Fiber helps you stream on your TV, tablet, or phone, and enjoy the freedom to pause, rewind, and pick up right where you left off.
This season, take the guesswork out of streaming!
In compliance with Minnesota Adopted Rules Relating to Cogeneration and Small Power Production, Chapter 7835, we are required to interconnect with and purchase electricity from cogenerators and small power producers which satisfy the conditions of a Qualifying Facility.
We provide free information to all interested members regarding rates and interconnection requirements. An application for interconnection is required for a Qualifying Facility to interconnect and operate in parallel with the cooperative’s distribution system and is subject to approval by the cooperative.
Members interested in further information should call ECE at 1-800-254-7944.
Good planning doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be intentional. As the energy and broadband industries continue to evolve, ECE’s three-part strategic plan is grounded in core areas that guide our decisions and investments: team, products, and relationships.
Team is the foundation of everything we do. Our employees and board are our greatest assets, and investing in their development directly benefits our members. Safety remains our top priority and is embedded into every decision. Innovation plays a key role as well. We strive to create a culture where employees are encouraged to find better ways to serve our members. Ongoing education, leadership development, and board training ensure the organization remains strong and adaptable.
Products represent the services our members rely on every day. Reliability sits at the center of both our electric and ECE Fiber businesses. Building and maintaining strong infrastructure is essential to meeting expectations today and supporting future growth. We continue to invest in system resilience and technology to ensure dependable service. At the same time, we’re focused on innovating the products and programs we offer, recognizing that the needs of our members continue to evolve. Rates and programs are reviewed thoughtfully to ensure they remain fair, competitive, and responsive to changing conditions while maintaining the financial health of the co-op.
Relationships tie everything together. Our members are at the heart of everything we do, which means education and engagement are critical to building trust. Strong relationships with vendors and contractors help us deliver safe and reliable service. Just as importantly, engagement with local, state, and federal officials has become increasingly vital. Many issues impacting our industry have reached critical mass at the policy level, and we’re committed to ensuring elected officials understand our cooperative model and the needs of the members we serve.
At the end of the day, our strategic plan is about making smart choices that serve our members well. By staying focused on people, services, and our relationships, we’re building a cooperative that’s ready for what’s next without losing sight of what matters most.
This photo from our March 1953 newsletter reminds us how electric innovation has been making everyday life easier for generations. From school kitchens in 1953 to homes across our service area today, that same commitment to progress lives on in our storage water heating program.
John Erickson, member of the Rock Creek school board and custodian of the school building, helps himself to a drink of water in the school’s kitchen. Water, hot and cold, is on tap at all times from the electric water system and water heater.
Keep hot water ready while using energy more efficiently.
Low rates and rebates may be available.