Hawkeye REC (Hawkeye Rural Electric Cooperative)

Hawkeye Rural Electric Cooperative, commonly referred to as Hawkeye REC, is a nonprofit electric cooperative that serves rural areas in Chickasaw, Howard, and Winneshiek counties in Northeast Iowa. Founded in 1936 as part of a broader movement to bring electricity to rural America, Hawkeye REC's membership includes homes, farms, businesses, and commercial consumers[1][4].

History

The establishment of Hawkeye REC was a response to the lack of electricity in rural areas during the Great Depression. The Rural Electrification Administration (REA), formed in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, played a crucial role in supporting the development of electric cooperatives like Hawkeye REC by providing funding and resources[3][5].

Merger with Tri-County Electric Cooperative

In 2016, Hawkeye REC and Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TEC) held member votes to approve a merger. The merger was overwhelmingly supported, with 74% of Hawkeye REC members and 90% of TEC members voting in favor[4]. The merger became effective on January 1, 2017, and the combined entity was named MiEnergy Cooperative. The merger aimed to enhance financial stability, service efficiency, and operational success for the members of both cooperatives[1][4].

Operations and Services

Prior to the merger, Hawkeye REC served more than 6,700 electrical services. As part of MiEnergy Cooperative, it continues to provide reliable and affordable electrical services to its members. The cooperative is committed to community engagement and operates under the principles of efficiency, innovation, and member satisfaction[1][4].

Governance and Membership

Hawkeye REC, now part of MiEnergy Cooperative, is a member-owned cooperative. Members participate in decision-making processes through voting, ensuring that the organization remains accountable and responsive to community needs[4].

[1] https://mienergy.coop/our-story [2] https://www.tcec.com/history [3] https://www.tricountyelectric.org/who-we-are [4] https://www.iowarec.org/news/news-releases/news-release---hawkeye-rec--tri-county-electric-cooperative-merger-vote-results/ [5] https://findingaids.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/manuscripts/MS040.pdf