Haywood EMC Is Your Local Cooperative
Haywood EMC has been serving the rural residents of Western North Carolina with affordable, reliable, safe services, and open communications for over 80 years.
As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, the member-owners of Haywood EMC have a say in everything the cooperative does through a democratically elected Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors represents member-owners in 7 districts across the 6 counties we serve in Western North Carolina, as well as parts of Rabun County, GA, and Oconee County, SC.
Haywood EMC History
Beginnings of Rural Electrification in Haywood County
When a small group of residents in the Pigeon, East Fork, and Cecil Townships of Haywood County began wrestling with the idea of providing themselves and their neighbors with electricity to make life much easier, they didn’t waste any time turning their ideas into actions.
They knew that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed an Executive Order for the establishment of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) to provide money to build electric lines through the rural areas of America, and they wanted to be able to enjoy the conveniences already available in city homes and businesses by taking advantage of the government’s assistance.
The private electric companies had refused to extend their lines to the rural areas because it would not be profitable. So organizing an Electric Cooperative was their only hope of getting electricity any time soon.
The First Recorded Meeting
The first recorded meeting of the organizers occurred on October 20, 1938, at Rickman’s Store in Cruso with William B. Poston, Ira H. Cogburn, Mrs. Etta P. (McCall) Grogan, D.L. Pless, Mrs. E.B. Rickman, C.M. Deaver, and Watson Howell in attendance.
A proposed charter for the Cruso Mutual Electric Company was presented at the meeting and subsequently filed with the Secretary of State on October 31, 1938.
Organizing the Cooperative
There was a lot of work to be done to get things moving as quickly as possible.
The by-laws had to be drawn up to meet the qualifications of a Cooperative as defined by the REA.
Each family had to be approached about becoming a member of the Cooperative.
Right-of-way easements had to be secured from the landowners so that the power lines could be built across their property.
The storefront for Cruso Electric Membership Corp., a part of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), whose cooperative officially began October 31,1938 in order to bring electricity to rural households.
Formal Organizational Meeting
The Cooperative’s formal organizational meeting took place on the evening of January 19, 1939. The meeting was conducted by lamplight in the feed room of Rickman’s warehouse across the road from Rickman’s Store.
The name of Cruso Mutual Electric Company was approved, and the bylaws were adopted. The 7 organizers present at the October 20, 1938, meeting were again present and paid a membership fee of $5 to become the first official member-owners of the Cooperative.
Building the First Lines & Early Leadership
The Cooperative immediately submitted its first loan application to REA for building 37 miles of line to serve approximately 170 members in the Bethel, Cruso, and Lake Logan communities.
Upon receiving REA loan approval, line construction began, and on August 23, 1939, at 10 a.m., the power was switched on at the Carolina Power and Light Company metering point, and it was no longer necessary for some rural residents to clean blackened lamp globes each day for lighting in their homes.
During its first year of operation, the Cooperative had 3 different superintendents or managers:
Carter Trull
First superintendent
Oscar Briggs
Succeeded Trull
J.W. Howell
Became manager in February 1940
On August 10, 1940, the Cruso Mutual Electric Company was re-chartered under the name of Cruso Electric Membership Corporation in order to receive a greater tax break through the North Carolina Membership Act.
Expansion & Relocation
More and more rural residents were anxious to receive electricity.
- In the fall of 1940, the second REA loan amounting to $135,000 was granted to provide electric service to over 600 new members in the Beaverdam, Clyde, Fines Creek, Iron Duff, Jonathan Creek, and Ivy Hill Townships.
- Bethel-Cruso would no longer be the center of activity, so the Cooperative office was moved to Clyde.
- J.W. Howell resigned as superintendent and was replaced by Jim Moore.
Becoming Haywood EMC
Because of the extensive work being done in Haywood County, the Cooperative was re-chartered as Haywood EMC on November 30, 1943.
The Cooperative office was moved to Main Street, Waynesville, where it remained until moving to its new headquarters facility in the spring of 1953, at 1560 Asheville Road, Waynesville.
Challenges of War & Post-War Growth
The lack of building materials curtailed line construction during World War II.
- The board of directors changed the bylaws to allow for expansion into other counties.
- As soon as the war ended, progress resumed.
- In 1943, the Cooperative purchased the Hominy Power Company in Buncombe County.
- In 1945, secured electric contracts with Nantahala Power & Light Company and Duke Power Company for supplying wholesale power to Transylvania, Macon, and Jackson Counties in North Carolina.
- Service was later extended into Rabun County, Georgia, and Oconee County, South Carolina.
Leadership Changes
In September 1945, Superintendent Jim Moore resigned and was replaced by R.C. Sheffield, the Cooperative’s first full-time bookkeeper. Sheffield managed the Cooperative until 1974, at which time John W. Browning assumed the position.
Continuing the Mission
Providing reliable electric service at the lowest possible cost to rural residents was the basis for the beginning of Haywood EMC.
The Cooperative is still operated on the same basis today. However, it has not been an easy path of growth for Haywood EMC. The Cooperative’s service area contains some of the most rugged, mountainous terrains in the state; thus, the cost of providing electric service is higher here, especially in the areas of right-of-way clearing and maintenance. Every avenue for cutting expenses must be explored.
Today & Looking Ahead
- The determination of the small group of rural Haywood County residents to have electricity over 80 years ago has resulted in electric service to approximately 28,000 meters today.
- Haywood EMC moved into its headquarters located at 376 Grindstone Road, Waynesville, in July 2009 and is now in its 85th year of serving the citizens of Western North Carolina.
- Haywood EMC is governed by a Board of Directors who are also served by the Cooperative and represents the Co-op’s 7 directorate districts.
Your cooperative is proud to serve each member-owner day in and day out and looks forward to providing electricity – and much more – in the communities we call home for years to come.
The 7 Cooperative Principles
Voluntary & Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (1 member, 1 vote), and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Autonomy & Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
Education, Training, & Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.