This month's message from CEO/General Manager Michael Cremer in Your Co-op Connection in Rural Missouri. 

January 2026
Happy New Year!

     The start of a new year brings new possibilities, projects and opportunities. It’s a time to reflect on accomplishments of 2025 and look ahead to 2026. Some people start the new year with a list of things they want to accomplish or fix. Maybe you have a list of do-it-yourself projects for the house, new fitness goals or a dream vacation on your list for 2026. I can think of several things I’d like to get done in the new year.
     The electric industry is no different. While we are proud of what has been accomplished, we are focused on continuous improvements and new ideas that will benefit our members. Crawford Electric Cooperative is part of a team of co-ops working together to deliver safe, reliable electricity. We’re a distribution co-op, buying power from Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI), a generation co-op. That power is delivered to us by Sho-Me Power, a transmission co-op. 
     Together, we reinvest resources into the infrastructure to keep the lights on for everyone. Many facilities were built in the 1930s or 1940s, and they’ve served us well. Although our generation partners have consistently performed maintenance and made careful investments in infrastructure, there’s a need now to build additional power plants. Demand for power is on the rise, and existing facilities can’t meet those demands. While some new facilities came online in the early 2000s, more are needed to ensure that everyone has reliable power and the grid is secure.
     As we move into 2026, Crawford Electric remains committed to delivering safe, reliable power and excellent service to our members. Maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure throughout the co-op system comes at a cost, and everyone is working diligently to manage rising costs while supplying power and keeping the community connected. 
     Thank you for being a valued member of Crawford Electric Cooperative. We look forward to serving you in the year ahead.