At Battle River Power Coop, community service begins with the delivery of safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity to our members. As a cooperative, community service goes a step further because we work in accord with the seven Cooperative Principles. The seventh principle, Concern for Community, prompts us to raise the bar, working for the sustainable development of local communities in ways that benefit members and communities alike.

Concern for Community means that Battle River Power Coop buys locally whenever possible. In 2017 we spent almost $6 million in communities in our service area and an additional $17 million provincially. Members are encouraged, as individuals, to support local businesses through the Member Benefit Program. We have gathered a diverse group of products and services that will recognize local shopping support by offering value added incentives to members who present their Member Benefit Card.

We recognize the value that education brings to communities and support the education of members’ children by annually awarding post-secondary scholarships. Every year, we are amazed by the accomplishments of the outstanding youth who apply for and receive the scholarships. We also recognize the value of cooperative businesses in communities and offer sponsorships to the Alberta Community and Co-operative Association (ACCA) youth leadership program. Sponsorship recipients gain an awareness of the cooperative business model and at the same time have a memorable summer camp experience.

We support local food banks in our service area and have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for the past 3 years. And we help community organizations to advertise their local events through sponsorship of the New Country 98.1FM events page, Around Town.

At Battle River Power Coop, serving our neighbors means more than just keeping the lights on. It means that we live, work, play, spend and volunteer within the communities that we serve.