COLUMBUS, OH— In support of Project Ohio, the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Cooperation and National Cooperative Services Corporation generously gifted $70,000 to help with the cost of international electrification. This January, Ohio’s electric cooperatives traveled to Guatemala for the fifth time with Project Ohio, an initiative focused on bringing electricity to villages that don’t already have it.
During the 17-day trip, 15 volunteer lineworkers from 10 Ohio electric cooperatives successfully brought electricity for the first time to 93 homes in the remote village of Barejones, in the Jalapa region of Guatemala. The team installed primary and secondary conductors, set meter poles, pole mounted lights, and perform in-home electrical work. The team also continued previous work done by Oklahoma Electric Cooperatives in establishing a distribution system to the village.
Craig Grooms, OEC’s President and CEO said, “We’re so grateful to be able to make such an impact on these communities. With the support of CFC and NCSC, we can continue to do so.”
About Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives:
OEC is the statewide association representing 25 electric cooperatives across Ohio that serve more than 380,000 homes and businesses in 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Ohio’s electric cooperatives are not-for-profit and member owned by those that receive the reliable, affordable, environmentally responsible power cooperatives distribute. Ohio’s electric cooperatives are guided by seven cooperative principles upon which they were founded—which includes concern for community.
