Between the Lines

National Co-op Month: NCE's commitment to community and service

Every October, North Central Electric joins over 30,000 cooperatives across the U.S. in celebrating National Co-op Month. This month reminds us of what makes cooperatives unique—our member-driven business model and commitment to serving communities. For NCE, this is more than just a tradition; it's a renewal of our dedication to providing safe, reliable electricity. The celebration isn't just about reflecting on the past; it's about looking forward and recognizing the continued role members play in shaping NCE's direction and priorities.

At the heart of NCE's mission are our local community and members. Whether through supporting youth leadership programs, granting funds to local organizations, or advocating for national rural energy needs, NCE prioritizes our members' well-being and growth.

Co-op Month also serves as a call to action for our members to take pride in their ownership and participation. Whether contributing to the People Fund, attending local meetings, or voicing opinions on energy policies, co-op members can shape our cooperative's future. This October, NCE continues to celebrate its most important asset: our members, the core of our mission to serve, support, and strengthen the community.

Hurricane Helene Donation Drive

We are very grateful for the outpouring of support that our members and community showed when the call came in to aid the communities affected by Helene and the devastation that struck the southern part of our country.

We want to share some of the photos and videos captured as donations came in. Thank you all!

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbRXkjdzL8k

Scam attempt in our area: Learn the signs of a scam

North Central Electric Cooperative has recently been alerted to a scam attempt targeting our members. In this instance, a member was contacted via text message by someone falsely claiming to be a co-op representative, requesting copies of their bills. Please be aware that NCE will never contact members via text message asking for any personal information.

Do not share any personal information if you receive any communication—whether by text, email, or mail—from unfamiliar sources or suspicious senders.

Common red flags include:

Messages from strange or misspelled addresses
Urgent requests for payments
Threats of service interruption

A legitimate NCE representative will always be willing to confirm their identity through a phone call to our official office number, 419-426-3072. We will never pressure you to make immediate payment arrangements.

If you suspect a scam attempt, please get in touch with our office immediately. By reporting suspicious activity, you help protect yourself and fellow co-op members from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.

For a number of years, North Central Electric has offered both a local phone number and an 800 number for co-op members. The 800 number was utilized for members concerned about long-distance fees. But starting in 2025, NCE will only use the local number for calls into the office.

What will change for co-op members?

Members who dial the 800-426-3072 number will be greeted with a short audio recording reminding them that this number will no longer be active as of Jan. 1, 2025 before being redirected to an NCE member service representative for assistance. After Jan. 1, any member who calls this number will receive a "phone number unavailable" message.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the cooperative at 419-426-3072 for assistance.

Learn more here

Buckeye Power receives portion of grant for renewable energy project

Buckeye Power, Inc. has been selected as one of 16 electric cooperatives nationwide to receive a portion of $7.3 billion in funding from the USDA’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. The funds will be used to expand renewable energy projects and develop energy storage systems, a critical step toward ensuring reliable and affordable power for North Central Electric Cooperative members. These new projects will bring 36 MW of renewable energy and 80 MWh of energy storage to rural Ohio, helping to lower costs and significantly reduce carbon emissions for our local communities.

For NCE members, this investment by Buckeye Power means continued access to environmentally responsible electricity while keeping energy prices stable. Members can expect more details on community benefits associated with these projects as they develop. This funding reflects a major effort to modernize and enhance power infrastructure in rural communities, all while supporting the shift toward cleaner energy sources.

Welcome to the co-op!

Kyle Hoffman will join the cooperative on Nov. 4 as the new Chief Operations Officer for North Central Electric. He will lead the operations divisions, including line crews and office staff, while working closely with NCE's safety coordinator to maintain the highest standards.

“Kyle joins us with many years of experience in the cooperative world, specifically in the operational aspects of day-to-day maintenance and providing safe and reliable electricity to co-op members,” said FESCO President Ed VanHoose. “We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to the ideas and standards he will bring to the table.”

August outage report

NCE experienced 16 outages in August. Heavy storms in the co-op's territory caused several of these outages.

Calling in and reporting any outages you experience is vital to helping our crews get your power restored as quickly as possible. Sometimes, the outage may just be affecting your home, and our operations department won't be aware without your help.

Please always call 419-426-3072 to report an outage. Our email and social media are not monitored 24/7. Phone lines may get busy during major events, so if you cannot get through immediately, try calling back every few minutes.

View the outage map here

Don't forget to vote Nov. 5

This year, election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. The polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Click here for more informaton

A look inside this month's Ohio Cooperative Living

The October issue of Ohio Cooperative Living is now available online! NCE-specific information begins on page 17, and highlights include:

Key co-op topics with Ed: Co-ops power our communities with ongoing purpose
Medical certifications are available for members who may qualify
Energy innovation creates new career opportunities
Energy tip: Heat pumps can provide a flexible heating and cooling solution for your home
August board meeting highlights

Find the digital here!

Keep Halloween fun and safe for everyone. Make sure children wear properly fitting costumes and masks to avoid tripping. Send kids trick-or-treating in groups or with a trusted adult, and take along a flashlight. Only let children eat treats after an adult inspects them to ensure they are properly wrapped and safe to consume.

NCE Homepage

Programs & Rebates

SmartHub

America's Electric Cooperatives PAC

Outage Information