President’s Message – July 2023

We’re Here to Serve You

Jimmy Black headshot“We’re here to serve you.” We’ve all heard this phrase countless times. These words may sound generic, but to us, they mean everything.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative was created to serve our community. Back then, neighbors banded together and formed our co-op for the common good. In our case, it was the only way the community could bring electricity to an area where none existed. In doing so, GCEC helped the community thrive. That mission- focused heritage is the golden thread that is woven throughout our history.

Today, we continue to power the community. While our focus
has remained steady on providing reliable energy to our members, today’s energy landscape and consumer expectations are far different than they were decades ago. That’s why we’re adapting to keep pace with changing technology, evolving needs and new expectations.

Serving as your trusted energy adviser means we want to help you save energy and money, and provide advice and information on a broad range of energy top- ics. For example, to save energy, check out www.gcec.com for energy-saving tips and ideas to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Consider scheduling a free energy audit with one of our energy experts to identify ways you can save energy at home. Understanding how your home uses energy can help determine the best ways to modify energy use and keep more money in your wallet.

If you’re considering a rooftop solar installation, our energy advisers would be happy to give you an unbiased view of the pros and cons. Investing in a solar system is a major decision, and fully understanding the costs, responsibilities and potential energy savings is important. Unlike a solar company with one objective—to sell their products and services—we look at the total energy picture and help you determine the best options for your home. We understand homeowners must undertake their due diligence and are here to help you through that process.

Similarly, we recognize that many members are considering electric vehicle options. Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative provides information about EV charging and electrical requirements to our members so you can make informed decisions. We can offer a candid assessment of residential and business charging requirements for all types of EVs. We also offer a $100 rebate for EV owners.

So, the next time you hear Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative use the phrase “we’re here to serve you,” we hope you know that we mean it. Service is deeply ingrained into who we are. We continue to evolve with the times, and in return, we’ve found additional ways to serve you and provide more options for you to power your life.

We’re here whenever you need us. Connect with us online, in person, through the GCEC app or our social media channels. However you choose to connect, please let us know how we can serve you better.