Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative Inc

What Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative Inc does

Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member-owned, nonprofit electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Millersburg, Ohio. Founded on October 30, 1935 (originally as Holmes Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., renamed in 1958), the cooperative distributes electricity across Holmes, Wayne, Medina, Ashland, Stark, Tuscarawas, Knox, and Coshocton counties, serving more than 18,000 accounts. It operates over 2,300 miles of distribution line and 19 substations with 41 employees and reported revenue of approximately $59.2 million in 2025.

The cooperative does not generate power; all electricity is procured through Buckeye Power, Inc., Ohio's generation and transmission cooperative, of which Holmes-Wayne is a part-owner. Member-facing technology is built around the SmartHub online portal and accompanying mobile application (iOS/Android), which handle bill payment, account management, self-submitted meter reads, and outage reporting. A shortcode-based outage texting service (55050) and an interactive outage map supplement the portal. Adjacent offerings include energy efficiency programs (home energy assessments, Kill-A-Watt monitor rentals, online calculators), renewable options (EnviroWatts green power blocks and a cogeneration/net-metering interconnection program), budget billing, and outdoor area lighting.

Revenue is generated through regulated monthly electricity distribution charges across Residential & Farm, General Service, and Large Power rate classes, with a minimum monthly residential charge of $22.75 and various service fees. As a nonprofit, margins above cost-of-service are allocated to members as capital credits and periodically retired; in June 2021 alone, more than $1.1 million in capital credits were returned. The cooperative is governed by a nine-member, member-elected board of trustees and is affiliated with NRECA, Touchstone Energy, and Ohio's Electric Cooperatives. Marketing and community engagement run through the SmartHub portal, Facebook, Ohio Cooperative Living magazine, and programs such as Operation Round Up, the HUG gift certificate program, Power Students, and Be E3 Smart.

Name

Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative Inc

Legal name

Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Website

https://hwecoop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, nonprofit electric distribution cooperative serving over 18,000 accounts across eight Ohio counties, distributing power purchased from Buckeye Power through its 2,300+ miles of distribution lines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Distribution Utility

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

AMI Communications (RF Mesh, PLC, Cellular/NB-IoT, Private LTE) (EUADAFAD), Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) & Smart Metering (EUADAPAB), Customer Energy Engagement (In-Home Displays, Portals, Usage Insights) (EUADAFAH)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Member-owned cooperative
• Rural electric utility
• Renewable energy programs
• Outage management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Millersburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Electric Service Revenue: As a non-profit cooperative, revenue is generated through electricity distribution to members. Margins received beyond the cost of providing service (profits) are allocated to each member's account as capital credits based on amounts billed, and eventually returned to members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative is a nonprofit, member-owned electric distribution utility that distributes electricity purchased from Buckeye Power, Inc. to more than 18,000 residential and farm accounts across eight Ohio counties. Members transact through the SmartHub online portal and companion mobile app for bill payment, account management, self-reported meter readings, and outage reporting, with supplementary offerings such as outdoor area lighting, budget billing, EnviroWatts green power blocks, and net-metering interconnection.

Product overview

Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a non-profit electric distribution cooperative owned and operated by its member-owners. The cooperative offers a comprehensive suite of member services centered around its SmartHub online portal and mobile application, enabling account management, bill payment, meter reading submission, and outage reporting. Core electricity services are supplemented by energy efficiency programs (including home energy assessments and Kill-A-Watt monitor rentals), renewable energy options (EnviroWatts green power program and cogeneration/net-metering interconnection), budget billing, capital credits, and outdoor area lighting. Community-focused offerings include the HUG gift certificate program, Operation Round Up assistance, and educational programs like Power Students and Be E3 Smart. The cooperative purchases all electricity from Buckeye Power, Inc. and is part of the Ohio electric cooperative network affiliated with NRECA and Touchstone Energy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electric Distribution Service Non-profit electric distribution utility providing electricity to member-owners across Holmes, Wayne, Medina, Ashland, Stark, Tuscarawas, Knox, and Coshocton counties in Ohio, sourced from Buckeye Power, Inc.
• SmartHub Online Portal Online member portal enabling account management, bill payment, self-reported meter reading submission, and outage reporting for Holmes-Wayne members.
• Mobile Application (iOS/Android) SmartHub-powered mobile application for members to manage accounts, pay bills, submit meter readings, and report outages from smartphones.
• Outage Map Interactive online map showing real-time power outage locations and restoration status across the cooperative's service territory.
• Outage Texting Service SMS-based outage reporting and update service allowing members to text outages to 55050 and receive confirmation acknowledgments.
• Budget Billing Free opt-in billing service providing predictable monthly payments based on 12 months of electric usage to avoid seasonal high-bill fluctuations.
• Residential and Farm Electric Service Schedule Primary rate class offering electric distribution to residential and farm members with a $22.75 monthly minimum consumer charge and usage-based rates.
• General Service without Demand (and Large Power Accounts) Commercial/industrial rate schedule for non-demand and large power accounts; contact the cooperative for pricing details.
• EnviroWatts Green Power Program Subscription renewable energy program allowing members to purchase 100 kWh blocks of green power generated from Ohio solar panels and bio-digesters at $2 per block per month.
• Cogeneration / Net-Metering Interconnection Program Interconnection service enabling members to install on-site renewable generation (solar, wind) and net-meter against their cooperative electric usage.
• Outdoor Area Lighting Cooperative-owned outdoor area lighting service for properties within the Holmes-Wayne service territory.
• Energy Efficiency Services Member services including home energy assessments using blower door and infrared cameras, Kill-A-Watt electric consumption monitor rentals, and access to the Energy Savings Library.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)coreOthersArlington, VA based national service organization that oversees cooperative employee benefit plans, carries out federal government relations activities, conducts management and director training, and spearheads communications, advocacy, and public relations initiatives. NRECA represents more than 900 not-for-profit electric cooperatives throughout the United States.
• Buckeye Power, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationOhio's generation and transmission cooperative, providing power to the 24 Ohio-based electric cooperatives. Buckeye Power owns a diverse portfolio of base load and peaking facilities, outfitted with best-in-class environmental controls. Holmes-Wayne is part-owner of Buckeye Power.
• Touchstone EnergycoreOthersA national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. Holmes-Wayne is a Touchstone Energy Partner, abiding by the high standards of customer service and conducting business according to four core values: Integrity, Accountability, Innovation, and Commitment to the Community.
• Ohio's Electric CooperativescoreOthersStatewide trade association of Ohio's Electric Cooperatives (OEC). Provides services like loss control and safety training, lobbying, education, and communication including production of the Ohio Cooperative Living magazine. Located in Columbus, Ohio sharing space with Buckeye Power.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Consolidated Electric Cooperative (Ohio): Ohio-based member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving residential and farm members in north-central Ohio. Comparable on cooperative model, rural distribution territory, and reliance on Buckeye Power for generation and transmission.
• Midwest Electric (Ohio): Member-owned electric cooperative serving rural members across northwest Ohio. Direct peer: same nonprofit distribution model, similar member self-read practices, and shared G&T arrangement with Buckeye Power.
• Pioneer Rural Electric Cooperative (Ohio): Member-owned distribution cooperative operating in central Ohio. Comparable in cooperative structure, capital credits program, and rural residential/farm customer base within the same Buckeye Power network.
• Pedernales Electric Cooperative: Largest electric distribution cooperative in the U.S., serving rural and exurban Texas members. Comparable on member-owned distribution model, capital credits, self-service member tools, and reliance on a G&T cooperative for wholesale supply.
• Connexus Energy: Member-owned electric cooperative in Minnesota with hundreds of thousands of members. Comparable on the cooperative distribution model, capital credits returns, and deployment of digital member-service platforms.

Others

• Buckeye Power, Inc. Ohio's generation and transmission cooperative, of which Holmes-Wayne is a member-owner. Buckeye Power supplies the wholesale electricity Holmes-Wayne distributes, making it a core upstream partner rather than a peer competitor.
• NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association): National service organization representing 900+ U.S. electric cooperatives. Holmes-Wayne is an NRECA member; the association provides training, advocacy, and employee benefits that shape how the cooperative operates.
• Touchstone Energy: National brand network of electric cooperatives across 46 states. Holmes-Wayne is a Touchstone Energy Partner, sharing marketing, member-service standards, and national brand leverage that compound member-engagement economics.

Broad incumbents

• AEP Ohio: Investor-owned electric utility serving much of Ohio. Operates overlapping distribution territory at much larger scale with regulated rate-base economics; benchmark for service quality expectations in areas adjacent to Holmes-Wayne.
• FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison / Illuminating Company): Large investor-owned utility serving the broader Ohio footprint. Provides a regulated-rate benchmark and represents the competitive alternative for any cooperative territory that might be opened to competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/holmeswayneelectriccoop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative Inc