More than 1,100 members and guests attended Habersham EMC’s 84th Annual Meeting on Thursday, July 21, at the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy. Attendees enjoyed a barbecue meal, health fair, informational booths, and entertainment by Karen Peck and New River.
HEMC President and CEO Bryan Ferguson shared that HEMC grew in 2021 by 553 meters, 496 members, and added 20 new miles of line. HEMC is on track to surpass these numbers in 2022, the local cooperative says.
Ferguson remarked that HEMC is taking several steps to grow its core business and “brighten the members’ experience.” These steps include improvements in technology and the cooperative’s renewable energy program, among others.
Habersham EMC rates have not increased in over six years.
In addition to controlling costs, HEMC returned $1,900,000 in capital credits to its members in 2021, the utility says, adding to the lifelong total of $21,000,000.
“Habersham Electric is in a great position to be a beacon of light in the communities we serve,” says Ferguson. “Our number 1 focus has been, and will always be, you, our members. My goal for Habersham EMC is to continue to build upon the magnificent work that our board, partners, and employees perform each day to promote our amazing communities.”
Dustin Hulsey, Dan Thurmond and David Wall were elected to the Board of Directors. The Board met immediately following the Business Session and elected the following officers: David Wall, Chairman; Dustin Hulsey, Vice-Chairman; and Billy Cantrell, Secretary-Treasurer.
All 532 members who registered at the 2022 HEMC Annual Meeting were entered into the door prize drawings, including the $750 cash grand prize. Becky Hencely won this year’s grand prize.
Habersham EMC is a rural electric cooperative based in Clarkesville, Georgia, which serves more than 26,000 members with 3,800 miles of line in six Northeast Georgia counties, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, and White.
