Our Mission: To provide services and create opportunities to enhance the quality of life.
Imagine what it must have been like after dark on farms, ranches, and small towns across America before there was power before there was electricity. Wanting to have the same luxuries as those of the big cities – farmers, ranchers, and rural families banded together to shine the lights on rural America. In 1936, the REA was formed as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal to help local communities form electric cooperatives across the United States and finally bring electricity to rural America, just like those in the big cities. Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) was formed in 1938 by the members – for the members. After over 80 years, our legacy of providing our member-owners with safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electric service, while supporting the communities throughout our service territory, continues on.
Today, MEC serves over 31,000 accounts in portions of nine Southside Virginia counties and five northern North Carolina counties. MEC is headquartered in Chase City, Virginia, with three district offices located in Chase City, Gretna, and Emporia.
- Being a member of an electric cooperative means that you’re more than just a customer, you’re a member! And…since we are not-for-profit, we put our members first!
- Next to safety, ensuring our member’s satisfaction is our primary objective.
Our Affiliates
7 Cooperative Principles
1. Open and 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.
2. 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 members 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.
3. 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.
4. Autonomy and 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Concern for Community
Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by the membership.