​​​​​​​​​​There is a demand in unserved and underserved locations for high-speed internet services, which are essential to community development, economic growth and prosperity, and educational attainment. Co-ops are taking a lead in meeting this need with projects to install broadband to benefit their member-consumers. The following NRECA case study series highlights some of these co-op initiatives. Visit here for new case studies in this series.

Case Studies

Summary Reports:
Electric Cooperatives Bring High-Speed Communications to Underserved Areas

• Insights from NRECA’s 2018–2019 Broadband Case Studies (February 2020)
• Insights from NRECA’s 2018 Twelve Broadband Case Studies (March 2019)

Individual Case Studies:

• Anza Electric Cooperative (CA) - April 2018
  
• Roanoke Electric Cooperative (NC) - April 2018
  
• Orcas Power and Light Cooperative - Rock Island Communications (WA) - May 2018
• Jo-Carroll Energy & Sand Prairie Broadband (IL) - May 2018
• Arrowhead Electric Cooperative & True North Broadband (MN) - June 2018
• NineStar Connect (IN) - July 2018
• Additional Resource from NRECA Associate Member OFS
• Douglas Fast Net (OR) - August 2018
• North Alabama Electric Cooperative (AL) - August 2018
• Barry Electric Cooperative and goBEC Fiber (MO) - September 2018
• Delta-Montrose Electric Association and Elevate Fiber (CO) - October 2018
• Valley Electric Association, Inc. (NV) - November 2018
• Midwest Energy and Communications (MI) - December 2018
• Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative (IA) - May 2019
• Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation (GA/NC) - June 2019
• Jackson County REMC (IN) - June 2019
• United Electric Cooperative (MO/IA) - July 2019
• Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (VA) - July 2019
• Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative and GVEC.net (TX) - September 2019
• Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative (MO) - September 2019
• Blue Ridge Energy (NC) - October 2019

Additional Resources:

• Prairie Power's Broadband System Enabled Wide Area Network (IL) - October 2018
• BARC Electric Case Study (VA) - May 2019
• Article: "Tennessee Tried-and-True: Making Broadband Work for Members the Co-op Way" (May 2019)
• RE Magazine Article: "Go/No-Go: Making the Right Decision on Broadband - Is Retail Broadband Right for Your Co-op?" (December 2019)

NRECA's Broadband Team

• Jeffrey Connor, COO

• ​Stephen Bell – Media & PR (Communications)
  
• Katie Culleton​​ – Government Relations (Legislative Affairs)
• Brian O'Hara – Government Relations (Regulatory Affairs)
• Ty Thompson – General Counsel's Office (Legal)
• Jessica Healy – General Counsel's Office (Legal)

Legal Notice

This work contains findings that are general in nature. Readers are reminded to perform due diligence in applying these findings to their specific needs, as it is not possible for NRECA to have sufficient understanding of any specific situation to ensure applicability of the findings in all cases. The information in this work is not a recommendation, model, or standard for all electric cooperatives. Electric cooperatives are: (1) independent entities; (2) governed by independent boards of directors; and (3) affected by different member, financial, legal, political, policy, operational, and other considerations. For these reasons, electric cooperatives make independent decisions and investments based upon their individual needs, desires, and constraints. Neither the authors nor NRECA assume liability for how readers may use, interpret, or apply the information, analysis, templates, and guidance herein or with respect to the use of, or damages resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method, or process contained herein. In addition, the authors and NRECA make no warranty or representation that the use of these contents does not infringe on privately held rights. This work product constitutes the intellectual property of NRECA and its suppliers, and as such, it must be used in accordance with the NRECA copyright policy.