Who We Are

Midwest Electric is a customer-owned electric cooperative providing electric distribution services to more than 11,000 homes, farms and businesses in Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Van Wert, Darke, Shelby and Putnam counties.

For more than 70 years, we have successfully upheld a tradition of service excellence. Our strength is our relationship with our customers - the Power of Human Connections.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, electric cooperatives need to take advantage of the most important asset we have that distinguishes us from all other electric utilities: our ties to community and a promise that we are consumer-driven businesses.

As a Touchstone Energy™ Cooperative, we have joined hundreds of electric cooperatives nationwide in sharing resources and working to promote integrity, innovation, accountability and community that sets us apart from other service providers.

What is Electricity?

Working on a school project? Or just want to know more about the world's most efficient, effective and productive tool? Click here to learn about electricity. And this other brief report explains how electricity is measured.

How We Began

Back in the early 1930s, commercial power companies provided electricity to customers residing in cities and urban centers, but mostly ignored rural areas because they were not seen as profitable areas to serve. For rural residents, the cost of getting central station electrical service - even if they could obtain it - was prohibitive. The cost of the kilowatt hours for residents was much higher than for urban dwellers. Working together, local farmers and other rural residents created an electric cooperative to supply their power and bring the countryside out of the dark. Learn more about rural electrification in America at www.powerforparkinsons.com.

May 11, 1936: Establishing REA
On May 11, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 7037 establishing the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), part of his New Deal. The goal was to bring the benefits of electricity to rural America. The REA offered funds to private power companies and cooperatives for poles, wire and other materials to construct power lines. Only member-formed electric cooperatives responded.

March 17, 1936: Co-op Incorporated
Midwest Electric, Inc. was incorporated March 17, 1936. A group of rural people from western Ohio decided to take advantage of REA funding and formed an electric cooperative. They initially named the cooperative the Western Ohio Farm Bureau Electric Cooperative. The name was changed to Midwest Electric, Inc. in 1938.

Mission & Vision

Our Mission

• To provide our member-owners with reliable electricity, superior customer service and innovative energy solutions at competitive prices.

Our Vision

• That Midwest Electric is a respected and innovative leader in providing our member-owners with superior quality electric and customer services at competitive prices while supporting our local communities.

Our Values

• We believe in the importance of employee and public safety.
• We believe in the importance of always treating our member-owners, employees and others with dignity and respect.
• We believe in Unity among cooperatives for the continued success and vitality of the electric cooperative program.
• We believe in the 1st cooperative principle of voluntary and open membership.
• We believe in the 2nd cooperative principle of democratic member control.
• We believe in the 3rd cooperative principle of members' economic participation.
• We believe in the 4th cooperative principle of autonomy and independence.
• We believe in the 5th cooperative principle of education, training and information.
• We believe in the 6th cooperative principle of cooperation among cooperatives.
• We believe in the 7th cooperative principle of concern for community.
• We believe in integrity - doing what is right for our customers and community.
• We believe in accountability for our actions.
• We believe that innovation is necessary in creating new frontiers for delivery of services.
• We believe in the spirit of community expression.