Midwest Electric

What Midwest Electric does

Midwest Electric, Inc. is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative incorporated in 1936 under the Rural Electrification Administration framework, headquartered in Saint Marys, Ohio. The cooperative distributes electricity exclusively to 11,000+ residential homes, farms, and businesses across seven west-central Ohio counties (Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert), operating as the sole franchised electric provider within its territory. Its core infrastructure consists of co-op-owned poles, wires, substations, and a system-wide Smart Grid / Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deployment that provides remote meter readings, outage detection and restoration, voltage monitoring, and detailed hourly kWh energy-use data accessible to members. The member-facing layer is the NISC-provided SmartHub digital platform (web, iOS, Android) for 24/7 account management, bill payment, outage reporting, and real-time energy monitoring.

The cooperative generates revenue through usage-based residential electricity sales (effective September 2023: $0.1004/kWh plus a $45/month Service Availability Charge and a monthly Power Cost Adjustment), commercial and industrial sales at competitive quote-based rates, agricultural service, security-light rentals ($11.50/month unmetered), connection and collection fees, and optional subscriptions such as the EnviroWatts renewable energy credit program. Ancillary revenue comes from rebates to members and load-management programs (radio-controlled switches on HVAC compressors and water heaters) that save over $500K annually in wholesale power costs. All operating margins are returned to members as patronage capital credits (>$45M since 1955; $1.64M in November 2025 alone).

Wholesale power is procured from Buckeye Power, Inc., Ohio's generation and transmission cooperative, which supplies generation from a diversified coal, natural gas, solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass portfolio. Strategic technology and ecosystem partners include NISC (SmartHub), Touchstone Energy Cooperatives (national branding and shared services), Ohio's Electric Cooperatives (statewide programs including OurSolar community solar and EnviroWatts), and MoneyGram (retail payment collection). The cooperative is governed by an 8-member elected Board of Trustees and employed 51–100 staff as of the most recent disclosure.

Name

Midwest Electric

Legal name

Midwest Electric, Inc.

Website

https://midwestrec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Midwest Electric is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving 11,000+ homes, farms, and businesses across seven west-central Ohio counties, delivering franchised residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural electricity through co-op-owned AMI infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Electric Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), 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

Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI), Community Microgrids & Shared Distributed Generation (EUACALAC), Green Tariffs & Utility Renewable Supply Programs (EUAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Rural electric cooperative
• Load management programs
• Energy efficiency rebates
• Renewable energy credits

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Mary's

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Residential Electricity Sales: Midwest Electric sells electricity to 11,000+ residential members based on kilowatt-hour consumption at $0.1004 per kWh plus a $45 monthly Service Availability Charge and a monthly Power Cost Adjustment. Revenue is used for operations, capital investments, loan repayments, and reserves, with excess margins returned to members as patronage capital.
2. Commercial & Industrial Electricity Sales: Commercial and industrial members are billed at competitive rates that vary by customer load profile. Includes optional security lights at $11.50/month for 100W sodium lights plus optional pole and transformer charges.
3. Service Fees & Charges: Various service fees including $30 collection service charge, $30 non-pay reconnect fee, $150 after-hours reconnect fee, $25 bad check fee (NSF), $100 meter test fee, and $150 refundable deposit.
4. EnviroWatts Renewable Energy Program: Members can purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) in 100 kWh blocks: $2/block/month for 1-25 blocks, $1.50/block for 26-250 blocks, $1/block for 251+ blocks. Revenue supports Buckeye Power's portfolio of wind, solar, anaerobic digesters, landfill gas, and hydropower.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Midwest Electric is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity to 11,000+ residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural members across seven west-central Ohio counties. Core offerings include electricity distribution supported by AMI smart-grid metering, the SmartHub digital member platform (web and iOS/Android app), residential and commercial energy-efficiency rebates, load management programs with radio-controlled switches, community solar and renewable energy credit programs, and an economic development revolving loan fund.

Product overview

Midwest Electric is a member-owned electric cooperative serving approximately 11,000 homes, farms, and businesses in seven west-central Ohio counties. The cooperative's product portfolio centers on its SmartHub digital platform (web and mobile app) which provides members with account management, bill payment, outage reporting, and real-time energy use monitoring. This core platform is augmented by a suite of energy efficiency programs including residential and commercial rebates for geothermal systems, heat pumps, central AC, smart thermostats, EV chargers, and insulation; the Cool Returns load management program with radio-controlled switches for HVAC systems; a water heater radio-controlled switch program; and a reduced off-peak electric rate for heat pump users. On the renewable energy side, offerings include the OurSolar community array (50kW cooperative-owned solar), the EnviroWatts renewable energy credit program, and a net billing program for member-owned distributed generation. The cooperative also operates a Smart Grid/AMI infrastructure providing remote metering and outage management capabilities, an economic development revolving loan fund for local businesses, and educational resources through Kids Corner. All programs are integrated through the SmartHub platform and the cooperative's relationship with Buckeye Power (generation and transmission) and National Information Solutions Cooperative (SmartHub technology).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartHub A member-facing digital platform and mobile app (iOS/Android) providing 24/7 account access, bill payment (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or check), automatic payment enrollment, paperless billing, outage reporting, real-time energy use monitoring with daily/monthly/annual graphs, pre-set usage alerts, and historical billing records up to 36 months.
• Smart Grid / AMI Metering Infrastructure Advanced metering infrastructure deployed throughout the service territory enabling remote meter readings, system voltage readings, outage detection and restoration tracking, load balancing, and detailed daily/hourly kWh energy use data for members, plus remote disconnect/reconnect capabilities.
• Residential Energy Rebates and Incentives Bill credits for ENERGY STAR-certified residential equipment: geothermal systems (up to $800), heat pumps (up to $600), ductless mini-split heat pumps ($300), central AC ($100), smart thermostats (up to $100, 50% of cost), refrigerators/freezers ($100), electric water heaters ($200-$500), Level 2 EV chargers ($200), and insulation ($400). Issued as bill credits; most rebates require load management switch installation.
• Reduced Off-Peak Electric Rate A discounted electricity rate for members using an air-source heat pump or geothermal system as primary heating with an electric water heater, offering a $0.01/kWh discount on the next 1,000 kWh after the first 1,000 kWh monthly, up to $120/year in savings. Requires load management switch installation.
• Cool Returns Program A load management program offering a radio-controlled switch installed on central AC, heat pump, or geothermal systems. Cycles compressor off 8-12 minutes per half-hour during peak demand events. Participants receive a $100 bill credit upon installation plus a $5 monthly credit during June-September peak months.
• Water Heater Radio-Controlled Switch A radio-controlled switch installed on electric water heaters that temporarily interrupts heating during peak demand events. Members receive a $1 monthly credit for participation. Designed for modern efficient water heaters capable of holding heat for extended periods.
• OurSolar Community Array A 50 kW cooperative-owned solar array located next to the Amanda substation (Fort Amanda and Bowsher roads, west of Lima). Part of Ohio's Electric Cooperatives' OurSolar program featuring 2.1 MW of solar arrays statewide. Allows members to support solar energy without rooftop ownership.
• EnviroWatts Renewable Energy Program An optional renewable energy program enabling members to purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) in 100-kWh blocks. Pricing tiers: $2/block (1-25 blocks), $1.50/block (26-250 blocks), $1/block (251+). Supports Buckeye Power's portfolio of wind, anaerobic digesters, landfill gas, and hydropower.
• Commercial & Industrial Lighting Rebate A commercial lighting rebate for replacing inefficient internal lighting in existing facilities, covering up to 50% of project costs with a $5,000 maximum. Requires facility use of minimum 1,800 hours/year, pre-approval, and a co-op visit to confirm installation.
• Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) A low-interest business loan fund for local businesses in the seven-county service area to create or retain jobs. Minimum loan $5,000; interest rate 2-3% fixed; term 7-10 years. Requires job creation and minimum 10% equity infusion. Eligible for land, buildings, equipment, infrastructure, or existing business acquisition.
• Net Billing Program A program for members with distributed generation (solar, wind) where excess power injected to the grid is priced at wholesale value. Switched from net metering to net billing in spring 2021 to more equitably balance generation costs among members.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Buckeye Power, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuckeye Power is Ohio's generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative, providing power to 24 Ohio-based electric cooperatives and Michigan-based Midwest Energy & Communications. Formed in 1959, it owns a diverse portfolio of baseload and peaking facilities (coal, natural gas, solar, hydropower, biomass, wind) and provides engineering services, load management support, marketing, and economic development assistance. Buckeye Power is owned and governed by the cooperatives it serves, dedicated to affordable and responsibly produced power.
• National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC)coreTechnology or IntegrationNational Information Solutions Cooperative provides the SmartHub platform and mobile app (iOS/Android) that Midwest Electric uses for member account management, bill payment, outage reporting, and energy use monitoring. SmartHub is available through NISC and powers the co-op's digital member engagement.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMidwest Electric is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative, joining hundreds of electric cooperatives nationwide in sharing resources and working to promote integrity, innovation, accountability, and community. The network provides cooperative branding, marketing resources, and shared best practices.
• Ohio's Electric Cooperatives (OEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEC supports Buckeye Power and member cooperatives with statewide programs including the OurSolar Community Array (2.1 mW solar across Ohio), EnviroWatts renewable energy credits, statewide scholarships (up to $4,600 additional for top local scholarship winner), and the Ohio Cooperative Living magazine.
• Paulding Putnam Electric Co-opminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJoint PAC Political Action Event co-hosted with neighboring Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op at Lincoln Ridge Farm. The joint event brings together members from both cooperatives for political engagement with elected officials.
• Grand Lake Health SystemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrand Lake Health System provides free health screenings at the Midwest Electric annual meeting, including blood pressure, osteoporosis, and skin checks, as well as health education on wound care and pain management.
• OurSolar (Community Solar Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOurSolar is Ohio's Electric Cooperatives' community solar program featuring 2.1 mW of solar arrays across Ohio. Midwest Electric has a 50kW solar array at its Amanda substation near Lima. This allows members to access solar energy without owning individual rooftop systems.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AEP Ohio: Investor-owned utility subsidiary of American Electric Power serving large portions of Ohio including municipalities adjacent to Midwest Electric's footprint. Provides a broad incumbent comparison point on rates, regulatory model, and capital structure for rural Ohio distribution.
• AES Ohio: Investor-owned electric utility (formerly Dayton Power & Light) serving west central Ohio load centers near Midwest Electric's service territory. Useful as a broader incumbent comparison for pricing benchmarks and customer-facing digital tools in adjacent Ohio service areas.

Others

• Buckeye Power, Inc. Ohio's generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative that supplies wholesale power, generation portfolio management, and engineering services to Midwest Electric and 23 other Ohio co-ops. Functions as a supplier/ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.
• National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC): Technology cooperative that provides the SmartHub platform, billing, and member engagement software powering Midwest Electric's digital member experience. Comparable as a cooperative-industry software and services counterpart rather than as a service competitor.

Direct peers

• North Central Electric Cooperative: Ohio-based member-owned distribution cooperative in the same regional cooperative ecosystem. Closely comparable on scale (similar member counts), service area, technology stack (AMI, SmartHub-equivalent), and reliance on the Buckeye generation portfolio.
• Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Inc. Ohio-based member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving rural portions of west central and southwest Ohio. Operates the same member-owner, not-for-profit, seven-county distribution model with AMI, load management, and Buckeye Power generation supply.
• Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative: Fellow Touchstone Energy rural electric distribution cooperative in northwest Ohio, explicitly cited as a co-host for Midwest Electric's PAC political action event. Same G&T supplier (Buckeye Power), same co-op model, same seven-county-style rural distribution business.
• Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative: Rural electric distribution cooperative in northwest Ohio with a similar Touchstone Energy / Buckeye Power affiliation. Operates AMI metering, load management programs, and similar residential/commercial rebate portfolios, making it a clean comparable on member count and revenue per member.
• Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative: Touchstone Energy rural electric cooperative serving contiguous rural Ohio counties with the same member-owned distribution model, AMI infrastructure, energy efficiency rebates, and Buckeye Power wholesale supply. Strong product-line and governance comparable.
• Midwest Energy & Communications: Michigan-based electric cooperative member of Buckeye Power, referenced explicitly in the data alongside Midwest Electric. Operates the same member-owned distribution model with fiber broadband as an adjacent product line, giving a useful comparable for AMI/deployment scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/midwestrec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLjswnmxwUabRfHsRQIDkgemSrognwF9dv
• Facebookfacebook.com/MidwestElectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/midwest-electric-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Midwest Electric