Working with cooperative partners to keep your lights on at the lowest cost

by General Manager Steve Stroshane and Manager of Finance and Accounting Heather Gerber

Do you know that Polk-Burnett is a member of other co-ops? This month, we'd like to spotlight four cooperative partners that help us deliver reliable power with cost efficiency to you.

All of these co-ops allocate margins and retire Capital Credits to us, just like we return to you. The Capital Credits retired to us as cash help to hold down our costs and stabilize your rates.

Because Polk-Burnett is a member-owner of these businesses, we share in their success. These partner co-ops have an interest in developing goods and services to benefit their members, and all were created because there was a need to fill in the electric cooperative industry, much like Polk-Burnett's beginning. We were created out of a need for reliable electricity by rural families and farmers.

All four partners below are member-owned cooperatives; they are guided by a set of seven cooperative principles that reflect the best interests of their members.

1. NISC National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) develops and supports software used by Polk-Burnett and other utilities. The innovative technology is vital for our billing and accounting systems, enabling us to provide exceptional service and more choices for our members. A standout example is our SmartHub app, which empowers Polk-Burnett members to monitor electricity use, pay bills and manage your account with ease.

2. CRC Cooperative Response Center (CRC) is our dedicated after-hours call center. If you have an outage or need assistance after our office is closed for the evening or weekend, our partners at CRC are always available to greet you with a live, friendly voice. CRC operators can dispatch lineworkers and answer calls promptly. With CRC, SmartHub and our website, we are here for you 24/7/365. Polk-Burnett was a founding member of CRC in 1992, which today provides services for 535 utilities in 47 states.

3. CFC The National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC) is a nonprofit financing cooperative created and owned by America’s electric cooperative network. CFC plays an important role in grid improvements and investments by offering long-term loans and lines of credit. CFC is more than just a lender. We value our partnership and the resources they offer. Their support with strategic planning and financial education helps us maintain excellence for our members. In 2024, we received $68,000 in Capital Credits from CFC.

4. RESCO Established in 1936, two years prior to Polk-Burnett, the Rural Electric Supply Cooperative (RESCO) was founded to provide electric cooperatives with wholesale materials that are essential for building and maintaining the rural electric system. RESCO supplies us with key items such as wire, transformers (above) and insulators. Last year, about 95% of our construction materials ($3 million worth) came from RESCO.

As a nonprofit cooperative, they are committed to keeping prices as low as possible, while ensuring product availability when needed most. With nine warehouses strategically located across the Midwest and a 24-hour storm response service, RESCO acts as an extension of our supply warehouse.

We place weekly orders without us needing to maintain excess inventory. When severe weather strikes, RESCO is just a phone call away, ready to deliver the tools and equipment to restore power. Last spring, RESCO expanded its reach by opening a new warehouse in Stanley, Wisconsin.

These are just four examples of how cooperative partners not only fill a need, but also return a share of their margins to us over time as Capital Credits.

Below: Polk-Burnett received $105,000 in Capital Credits from RESCO May 22. Heather Gerber accepted the patronage distribution from Dennis Gaffney, our RESCO account manager. It pays to be a co-op member!

Learn more about Capital Credits, Cash Back for Members of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative