Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, EMPOWER Broadband, were named 2024 Business of the Year by the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce at their annual holiday banquet in December.
In presenting the award to representatives from both business entities, Clarksville Town Manager Jeff Jones said, “Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative has been around for 85-plus years and has touched and impacted many lives in our community. They have been critical in the growth of our great community, contributing to the local economy through job creation and/or extensive community involvement.
“The management team, its Board of Directors and employees have dedicated themselves to putting their customers first and have given back to our communities in very meaningful ways over the years, providing financial support, volunteers and leadership to many groups,” he said.
MEC also took on a new mission, which was completely outside of its core function, and formed EMPOWER Broadband in 2018. As it did in the 1930’s, the cooperative stepped up to bring fiber broadband to its rural communities’ underserved or unserved areas.
“EMPOWER has put our rural families on a level playing field with the large urban communities, and also has helped to promote economic and workforce development for our residents,” Jones stated. “This task was not a small one and it took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to accomplish these important goals. Both organizations’ determination and unrelenting desire will make our communities safer and stronger with an improved way of life.”
“We are honored to be recognized by the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber,” said David Lipscomb, MEC vice-president of member and energy services. “Our MEC and EMPOWER employees live and work in the areas we serve, and endeavor to improve the quality of life in these communities. That’s the cooperative difference. We thank the chamber for honoring us with this award, and also for their many contributions that make this area a great place to live, work and raise a family.”