Walton EMC is a ...

 

 
Webster defines a cooperative or co-op as “an enterprise or organization owned by and operated for the benefit of those using its services.”

Walton EMC is an electric co-op that began in 1936 when seven community leaders each invested $1 toward providing power for rural northeast Georgia. Moving forward to 2010, Walton EMC is now one of the largest of almost 1,000 electric co-ops in the nation.

Though co-ops come in many shapes and sizes, all follow seven internationally recognized principles:

1. Voluntary & Open Membership

Walton EMC provides its services to any commercial or residential consumer inside its ten-county service territory that includes Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Dekalb, Greene, Gwinnett, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Rockdale, and Walton Counties. 

2. Democratic Member Control

Each year, the third Saturday in June is reserved for Walton EMC’s annual meeting held at the Walton County Agricultural Education Center. At this meeting, customer-owners are given the opportunity to elect board members who make executive decisions for the co-op.  

3. Members' Economic Participation.

We don’t have customers at Walton EMC; we have customer-owners. When you pay your initial membership fee, you become part-owner of the co-op.  Because we are not-for-profit, excess revenue is returned to customer-owners in the form of capital credits assigned to their account based on individual patronage.

4. Autonomy & Independence

Walton EMC is a stand-alone company that functions based on the democratic control of our customer-owners. We do not rely on government funding nor do we enter into any agreements that would sacrifice the integrity of our self-governing organization. 

5. Education, Training & Information

Each year, Walton EMC sponsors participants for the Young Couples Co-op Conference, Youth Leadership Conference, and Washington Youth Tour. Our co-op also hosts field trips for local schools and organizes school programs to educate students about Walton EMC.

6. Cooperation among Cooperatives

Walton EMC has entered into several business endeavors with other co-ops. EMC Security is a company that is equally owned by Walton EMC, Jackson EMC and Greystone Power. Power supply contracts are negotiated jointly with Satilla REMC and Colquitt EMC. Our co-op is also an active member of Georgia EMC, a trade organization of all electric co-ops in Georgia.  

7. Concern for Community

Concern for community is a priority for Walton EMC. Our co-op partners with numerous charitable organizations including the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, March of Dimes and the United Way. We developed and administer a community assistance program called Operation Round Up that provides grants to local service organizations and needy individuals. Walton EMC also offers programs and scholarships to benefit youth within the community.