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
Fulfilling the changing needs of our membership and communities by providing cost-effective, reliable, and safe utility services through a dedicated and responsive workforce.
Bylaws
Bylaws of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc. Effective Date May 2021
Our 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 it possible for their urban neighbors.
Today, more than 900 electric cooperatives are growing strong, bringing more and more conveniences to their consumers. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Wewahitchka, Florida, is no exception. Our goal is primarily directed toward providing superior member service while distributing an economical and reliable power source. That was our goal when we were formed, and that is still our goal today.
Meters & Miles
Approximately 75 Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative employees serve more than 20,000 meters and 2,500 miles of line in Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Jackson, Walton, and Washington counties and in the municipalities of Wewahitchka, Ebro, Lynn Haven, White City, Fountain, and Southport. Being member-owned, allows members to have a definite influence on the progressiveness of the cooperative.
Electric cooperatives want to tap into our most important assets: 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.
