Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc. was organized to provide electric service in an area not served by other utilities. Incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida on October 28, 1941, it is wholly owned and controlled by the people to whom it provides electric service. We are a member-owned electric utility.

Our Mission
Member Satisfaction

Our Vision
The leader of choice in providing member-oriented, competitive and diversified services through dedicated employees.

State of Nondiscrimination
Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc. is the recipient of Federal financial assistance from the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and is subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the U. S. Department of Agriculture which provide that no person in the United States on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, admission or access to, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any of this organization's programs or activities.

The person responsible for coordinating this organization's nondiscrimination compliance efforts is Roy Barnes, CEO/General Manager. Any individual, or specific class of individuals, who feels that this organization has subjected them to discrimination, may obtain further information about the statutes and regulations listed above from and/or file a written complaint with this organization; or the Secretary, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250; or the Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Washington, D.C. 20050. Complaints must be filed within 180 days after the alleged discrimination. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible.

History
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) on May 11, 1935, it was the dawning of a new day for rural America. Yet it was to be several years before the flow of electricity dispelled the darkness of the night and the drudgery of the day for most families outside the cities and larger towns. Only a small percentage of Florida farms had electricity, and these were principally near small towns or along paved highways. Even then, the farmers themselves had often borne the costs of constructing power lines to their farms. Businesses and industries were not interested in locating beyond the electric lines, restricting the economy of the rural areas.

But deep within this darkness burned a spark of light -- the dreams and resolve in the hearts of many who lived out in the countryside. These hardy pioneers were unwilling to continue to deny themselves and their families the better life that electricity had already made possible for their urban neighbors.

Today, more than 1,000 electric cooperatives are growing strong bringing more and more conveniences to their consumers. And, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Wewahitchka, Fla., is no exception. Our goal is primarily directed toward providing superior customer service while distributing an economical and reliable power source. That was our goal when we were formed, and that is still our goal today.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative serves more than 20,000 consumers in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties. Being member-owned allows members to have a definite influence on the progressiveness of the cooperative. With deregulation on the horizon, Gulf Coast Electric has been increasing its emphasis on protecting our environment, aggressively pursuing economic growth to help in the advancement of our local communities and developing and providing value-added services to improve the quality of life for each of our members.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, electric cooperatives want to tap into our most important asset: commitment to community, integrity, accountability and innovation. Through the Touchstone Energy® brand, we present a promise that, as a member-owned business, we will provide a meaningful declaration to the public of who we are, what we believe and why we are the superior choice for energy services. Click here  to learn more about Touchstone Energy®.