On February 5, 1940 the Articles of Incorporation were officially approved forming Black River Electric Cooperative, Incorporated. The Cooperative was formed by area residents to provide low-cost reliable electric service to rural South Carolina, an ideology still held today. The Cooperative established its headquarters at 13 Caldwell Street in Sumter. By December of 1940, 111 miles of line had been energized.
Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s as the country grew, so did the Cooperative. By the end of 1969, the Cooperative had close to 10,500 members and over 2,170 miles of energized line. The 1970’s brought changes in technology and locations. A branch office was opened in the Camden area and the headquarters was moved to its current location on North Pike Road West in Sumter. The 1980’s saw a new warehouse built at the Sumter office and a new branch office in the Camden area.
Hurricane Hugo in 1989 forever changed the landscape of the Cooperative’s territory. Those who worked throughout the storm shall never forget the devastation. Twenty-two days after the storm hit, the Cooperative was able to reconnect everyone ready for power.
The 1990’s ushered in many economic developments in the Cooperative’s territory. Black River Industrial Park has several businesses and the Cooperative is actively promoting the area to industrial prospects. The Cooperative also worked with Lee County to develop an industrial park near Interstate 20.
The Cooperative currently has 67 employees dedicated to the core belief of reliable service, quality customer service and democratic member ownership. With over 31,000 meters and 3,400 miles of energized line, the Cooperative continues to grow. Black River is committed to providing the membership with the most reliable, affordable service possible.
How Cooperatives Work
All cooperative businesses adhere to seven guiding principles:
- Voluntary and Open Membership — Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
- Democratic Member Control — Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
- Member’s Economic Participation — Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
- Autonomy and Independence — Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
- Education, Training, and Information — Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives — Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
- Concern for Community — While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
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