Daren D

Corn Belt Energy Corporation

The largest not-for profit electric cooperative in Illinois, Corn Belt Energy is owned by the members it serves and is committed to providing reliable, affordable power. Founded in 1938 to bring electricity to rural residents, Corn Belt Energy now provides power to over 35,000 homes and businesses throughout 18 counties in Central Illinois. We employ nearly 85 people and maintain over 5,000 miles of line throughout our vast territory. Our electricity is supplied by Wabash Valley Power Association, a generation and transmission cooperative based in Indianapolis, and we supply natural gas to Nicor Gas customers across Illinois through the Customer Select program. The cooperative is governed by 13 directors who are residential members and who represent specific districts within our service territory. Educating members on energy efficiency and safety are top priorities and we are committed to supporting our communities in a variety of ways, including our Education Grants Program and our participation in the national Youth to Washington Tour. In the past 75+ years, our membership base has changed dramatically from primarily farmers to an ever-increasing number of urban, suburban and commercial accounts. While retaining our rural farm heritage, we now serve many of the new residential subdivisions and commercial areas in Bloomington-Normal as well as in other communities. While we've accomplished our original goal of bringing electricity to rural areas, we're now faced with a new challenge: helping cooperative members use energy wisely in a world increasingly reliant on electricity. Corn Belt Energy is a member of the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC) and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Corn Belt Energy has been a member of Touchstone Energy since its inception in 1998.