On Friday March 22, a group of local legislative representatives gathered for Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative's ACRE Breakfast event. A total of more than 70 cooperative members, employees, and community ambassadors attended the annual event.

The crowd was treated to a catered breakfast and an update on an assortment of local, state, and national issues affecting rural Americans. Legislators speaking at the event included U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, state Sen. Rob McColley, state Rep. Bob Cupp, state Rep. Jon Cross, and state Rep. Susan Manchester.

Throughout the event, legislators emphasized the importance of energy and a need to adopt common-sense policies to keep energy affordable and reliable.

"You can't just have the power turned off. Manufacturing plants in the area rely on lines that are running around-the-clock," said Congressman Latta after speaking about an all-of-the-above approach to power generation and a need to protect the grid through cyber security measures.

State Rep. Bob Cupp, recalled living on an electric cooperative's lines while growing up, with his father telling stories about the time electric was first brought to his farm. "Electric cooperatives have a special status, and their members are tasked with preserving this model," said Rep. Cupp. 

"Not only do they connect people with power, but connect through the community as well," Rep. Cross said of Mid-Ohio Energy. "There are two important things to economic development... people and power. We need to be able to meet energy needs to attract businesses."

After sharing a few stories of being a rookie state representative, Cross noted that he loves to return to Kenton and hopes to hear from his local constituents. "Be involved, be engaged. Don't ever think your voice doesn't count, because it does."

Other topics discussed included Ohio's gas tax, reducing regulations for small business owners, distribution of school funds, and the state's operating budget.

Mid-Ohio Energy is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving over 8,100 meters in parts of 10 north-central Ohio counties.