Our Service Territory
Nishnabotna Valley REC serves rural members in Southwest Iowa. See the map to get an idea of our service area. Although we reach into six counties in Iowa (Shelby, Cass, Pottawattamie, Harrison, Audubon, and Crawford), we average only 2.6 members per mile of line in our service territory. You can click here to download a detailed map of our service area (pdf).
Our Mission
Nishnabotna Valley REC will provide safe and reliable electric services to our members in a valuable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible manner.
What is a Cooperative?
Electric cooperatives are private, not-for-profit businesses governed by their consumer-members. Two federal requirements for all co-ops, including electric co-ops, are democratic governance and operation at cost. Every consumer-member can vote to choose local boards that oversee the co-op, and the co-op must, return to consumer-members revenue above what is needed for operation. Under this structure, electric co-ops provide economic benefits to their local communities rather than distant stockholders.
Watch this video to see the Electric Cooperative Story
An Electric Cooperative Follow Seven Cooperative Principles:
Open & Voluntary Membership
Membership in a cooperative is open to all people who can reasonably use its services and stand willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic circumstances.
Autonomy & Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control as well as their unique identity.
Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Representatives (directors/trustees) are elected among the membership and are accountable to them. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote); cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Education, Training, and Information
Education and training for members, elected representatives (directors/trustees), CEOs, and employees help them effectively contribute to the development of their cooperatives. Communications about the nature and benefits of cooperatives, particularly with the general public and opinion leaders, help boost cooperative understanding.
Members' Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital remains the common property of the cooperative. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative; setting up reserves; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
By working together through local, national, regional and international structures, cooperatives improve services, bolster local economies, and deal more effectively with social and community needs.