IMPORTANT! Save Our Numbers for Text and Phone Alerts

On Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. Central, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative members received a text from 833-417-5291. We encourage our members to save this number in their phones so that our messages are less likely to appear as spam or unknown. You may receive text notifications about important...

Archives News Releases

GCEC Partners With Waller Elementary

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC) visited Waller Elementary School in Youngstown September 3. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC) visited Waller Elementary School in Youngstown September 3. The day began with a flag-raising ceremony in which GCEC employees climbed a power…

Entering a New Millennium

October 28, 2021, marked the 80th anniversary of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC) As the country moved into a new millennium, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative kept up with the times by expanding its systems and services and buying additional land…

President’s Message – November 2021

It’s a Matter of (Co-op) Principles For me, this is a time of year for reflection, and topping my list of things I’m grateful for is our wonderful community. I know I speak for all Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC)…

It All Started With 2 Pineapples

About 10 years ago, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative retiree Rudolph Brown had seen people growing pineapples. “How hard could it be?” he thought. Before his retirement, Rudolph bought 2 pineapples, planted the tops, and waited. “After about 2 years, the…

Dead Lakes

President’s Message – October 2021

It’s a Matter of (Co-op) Principles ACE Hardware, State Farm, REI, Land O’Lakes, and Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC) share something in common: All are cooperatives. The industries are different, but all share a passion for serving members and helping…

GCEC Celebrates First 50 Years

By the 1990s, Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC) had accumulated 50 years of local history to reflect on and celebrate. In 1992, the cooperative held its 50th annual meeting. Manager Hubbard Norris recognized charter members present. GCEC Board President W.M.…

How Many Linemen Does it Take to Change a Pole?

Distribution poles are found throughout the region, along roads, across neighborhood yards, and through forests. Those poles bring power to homes and businesses, and are critical to keeping the system working properly. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative has an operation plan,…

President’s Message – September 2021

Unplug With Meaningful Community Programs Most adults have a vague memory of when “checking for messages” meant listening to an answering machine. We carried on with our days without cellphones and managed just fine. But today, we are more connected…

Supporting Communities

In February 1990, Manager Hubbard Norris informed the board the new safety manual was being printed and should be available in the next couple of weeks. He also reported employees had completed two training sessions about hazard communication and the…