October is Co‑op Month — and We’re Celebrating YOU!
Every October, cooperatives across the country take time to celebrate what makes co‑ops special — our members. As a member‑owned electric cooperative, TWEC isn’t just your utility provider. You’re not a customer… you’re an owner, a voice, and a partner in powering our communities.
A Quick Look Back: How Co‑ops Began
The story of electric cooperatives starts in 1935, when the Rural Electrification Act (REA) was created to help rural communities form their own electric systems. At the time, electricity was transforming American life — but investor‑owned utilities refused to build lines into rural areas because it wasn’t profitable.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the need clear: “The farmer above all should have that power… for lighting their homes and for innumerable uses in the daily tasks on the farm.”
During the drought of the late 1930s, local volunteers in the Todd‑Wadena area went farm to farm, gathering memberships — $5 each, a significant investment during such uncertain times. Some saw electricity as a miracle in the making; others thought it was just a “pipe dream.”
But those volunteers persisted. In 1940, Todd‑Wadena Electric Cooperative was officially incorporated by a small, but determined, group of people who believed rural families deserved the same opportunities as those in the cities. When that first bulb finally glowed, everything changed. No one knew it then, but it marked the beginning of a new way of life — one built on cooperation, courage, and community.
What Makes Co‑ops Different?
Co‑ops operate with a simple idea: we exist to serve the people who own us. That means:
- You have a say in how your cooperative operates.
- Your dollars stay local, supporting community programs and system improvements.
- We focus on reliability and affordability, not profits for shareholders.
And here’s a fact that truly highlights how unique rural electric co‑ops are:
TWEC serves approximately 4.1 members for every mile of distribution line. Across Minnesota, investor‑owned and municipal utilities average about 32 customers per mile. Think about what that difference means. A mile of electric line requires poles, wire, transformers, and other equipment whether it serves four members or 32. It still needs to be inspected, maintained, cleared of vegetation, repaired after storms, and eventually rebuilt or replaced.
Today, TWEC owns and maintains more than 2,300 miles of distribution line across our service territory. Every mile represents an investment our members depend on — whether it serves a handful of rural homes, a farm, or a growing business.
What a powerful sentiment when you consider the volunteers who once went door‑to‑door asking neighbors to support electrification… and how far we’ve come since then.
Why Co‑op Month Matters
Co‑op Month is our chance to celebrate the principles we live by every day:
- Voluntary and Open Membership – Cooperatives welcome all who can use their services and accept the responsibilities of membership.
- Democratic Member Control – Members actively participate in setting policies and making decisions.
- Members’ Economic Participation – Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the cooperative’s capital.
- Autonomy and Independence – Cooperatives are independent, member‑controlled organizations.
- Education, Training, and Information – Co‑ops provide education and training so members, representatives, and employees can contribute effectively.
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives – Co‑ops strengthen the movement by working together.
- Concern for Community – While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work toward sustainable community development.
Join the Celebration
Throughout October, we’ll be sharing stories, activities, and fun ways to learn more about your cooperative — including a few surprises along the way.
Here’s to Co‑op Month… and to YOU, the members who make TWEC what it is.
Where’s Willie Wiredhand- Online Search
Willie Wiredhand—our longtime cooperative mascot—has been exploring our website, learning all about the programs, people, and principles that make electric cooperatives unique. Each week in October, we’ll share clues to help you track him down. Follow the hints, explore your co-op’s website and see if you can discover where Willie is plugged in. You will have until the end of the month to find all four Willie Wiredhands on our website. Once you find him on a webpage, click on his photo and enter in your name and service address to be entered in to win a prize. If you find all four Willie Wiredhands, you will have entered in all four drawings. For more information and clues, click here.
Guess the Number of Meter Seals
Stop by our office or visit us on Facebook to enter our Meter Seal Guessing Giveaway! Comment your guess for how many meter seals are in the container for a chance to win a prize. The person who guesses the closest number without going over wins a prize!
Don’t use Facebook? No problem — you can stop into our office and submit your guess in person.
2026 Member Survey
Please take our 2026 Member Survey: Planning for Tomorrow Starts with You that was featured in our September Pine to Prairie newsletter. This surveys helps us shape the future of Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative. Please fill out the survey, and if you wish to include your TWEC account number, you will be entered in to win one of 15 $25 energy credits! You can fill out the survey online.
