Co-ops are economic engines for state
Arkansas’ electric cooperatives recently announced the results of a study examining the economic contributions that the state’s electric cooperatives have made within communities across the state from 2012 through 2016.
The study quantified the economic impact that electric cooperatives have on Arkansas and more specifically, on the towns and communities the cooperatives serve. This includes Petit Jean Electric Cooperative and 16 other distribution co-ops located across the state, which together serve more than a million members. They also own Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., (AECI), which is a statewide service organization, and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC), which provides wholesale power to the 17 electric distribution cooperatives.
Results of the study showed that from 2012 to 2016 the state’s electric cooperatives:
- Had a $23 billion impact on employment and infrastructure spending.
- Contributed more than $8.8 billion to the gross state product.
- Supported about 28,000 jobs through infrastructure investment.
- Paid $1.9 billion in state and local taxes.
- Directly employed approximately 2,000 Arkansans.
- Served more than 1.2 million Arkansans.
- Contributed more than $5.3 million to philanthropies.
- Returned $131 million in direct payments to members through capital patronage, dividends.
- Maintained more than 75,000 miles of power lines.
The study can be viewed at: http://www.wearearkansas.com/electric-cooperativesof-arkansas/about/2012-2016-impactanalysis.
We are proud to serve you as your electricity provider and as an economic engine for the growth of our community and state.
