It was perfect weather that greeted the nearly 10,000 people that attended the 78th Annual Membership Meeting of South Kentucky RECC held on Thursday, June 9 at the co-op farm in Pulaski County.

There were a number of educational and informative exhibits for those in attendance to visit, including health booths, civic organizations, businesses and many others.

Attendees were given the opportunity to listen to gospel music from local gospel group Driven.

Featured entertainment was country music superstar Joe Nichols, who has had many number one hits, including : “The Impossible,” “Brokenheartsville,” “What’s a Guy Gotta Do,” “I’ll Wait For You,” “Gimme That Girl,” “Sunny and 75,” “Yeah””, as well as a host of other top charting hits.

One of the highlights of each year’s annual meeting is the presentation of the flags of the United States and state of Kentucky. Five SKRECC linemen, Adam Neal, Derek Maurath, Jack Willis, Greg Hammond, and Mike Ramsey climbed a pole set in the middle of the grounds and, with the help of lineman David Piercy and Safety Manager Eddie Black, handed up the flags and displayed them at the top followed by the National Anthem.

The primary purpose for the Annual Meeting is the business meeting, which started around 6:30 p.m. The cooperative’s bylaws provide that each year there shall be an Annual Membership Meeting for the presentation of reports from SKRECC officers and leadership.

During his report to the membership, South Kentucky RECC CEO Allen Anderson reported that SKRECC added 472 new members and 26 more miles of electric lines in 2015. Even with this growth, Anderson said there was a three percent decline in energy sales due to a milder summer, milder winter, and energy efficiency

Anderson added that the co-op remains committed to controlling expenditures while ensuring safe, reliable service, and he announced there will be no rate increase by South Kentucky RECC in 2016, much to the pleasure of the membership in attendance. He also touched on the new Somerset South Kentucky RECC headquarters under construction just off Parkers Mill Road in Pulaski County. Anderson told the membership that the new facility should be ready for occupation later this year, and it will provide members with a more efficient, safer place to do business.

After the Business Meeting, South KY RECC recognized the 10 Washington Rural Electric Youth Tour recipients and also awarded $11,000 in scholarships to eleven high school seniors in the service area as part of the Senior Scholarship Program.

South KY RECC believes that investing in the youth of its service territory has a profound effect on the improvement of the quality of life in the communities served, which fulfills its mission. South KY RECC’s Mission Statement reads “South Kentucky RECC was formed for people not profit. Its mission is to reliably provide electricity and related services to its members at a competitive price, and to improve the quality of life in their communities.”

Anderson added, “Annual Meeting is a time for the co-op to celebrate with its membership, while tending to the important business of the cooperative. The board, management, and employees strive daily to provide the best possible service, and on this special day each year, we try to provide fun and let our member-owners know how much they are appreciated.”