90 years...and counting!

Mid-Ohio Energy celebrates a history of local service in 2026

In 1936, receiving electric service (or simply referred to as "the lights") at the farm was a life-changing event. Fast forward 90 years to today, and it's tough to fathom a time where life without electricity was the norm. As connected as our lives are, nearly all aspects of our day rely on a steady source of power. It's difficult for some to imagine going without power for any extended period of time!

From the time between that first switch was flipped until now, Mid-Ohio Energy has been the sole power provider for members in our rural service territory. Even if we weren't always just one electric cooperative— Marion Rural Electric was formed in April of 1936 in Marion, and United Rural Electric (1938) was formed shortly after in the rural areas around Kenton. On January 1, 1999 the two cooperatives officially merged to become Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative.

While our name changed, we retained our cooperative model. This includes the members, board, employees, and our history of being member-owned and controlled in this same general territorial footprint since our formation.

In the 1930's, if your local utility refused to build power to your area, there was no garauntee of when (or if) you would eventually receive electric. It was up to local residents (mostly farmers), to band together with neighbors to form local electric cooperatives. The fact that those efforts resulted in your electric cooperative enduring nine decades later is a testament to the hard work of all who founded, build, and maintained the cooperative over the years, as well as the power of the cooperative model.

Surely, at some point in the many years between 1936 and present day, a utility would've stepped in to provide power in our area. However, it's fair to ask if another utility could have provided the level of service, local connections, and community contributions of your cooperative.

At Mid-Ohio Energy, we're proud of our legacy and equally excited to continue to build and grow our impact on the lives of the members, employees, and communities we serve.

In 2026, we're excited to celebrate the people and rural communities that formed Mid-Ohio Energy. Keep an eye on our website, social media, Ohio Cooperative Living magazine, and our member events as we share images, stories, and more from the history of your cooperative.