North West REC
North West Rural Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Orange City, Iowa, delivering power across roughly 3,750 miles of line to over 10,000 farms, homes, and businesses in rural Northwest Iowa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1935
- HeadquartersLe Mars, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What North West REC does
North West Rural Electric Cooperative (dba North West REC) is a consumer-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered at 1505 Albany Place SE in Orange City, Iowa, with operations centered in Le Mars. The cooperative delivers electricity through approximately 3,750 miles of distribution lines to more than 10,000 farms, homes, and businesses across rural Northwest Iowa. It operates as an at-cost cooperative under cooperative governance principles, with rates structured to cover expenses and provide a modest margin rather than generate shareholder returns. Rates rank in the bottom 5% among roughly 800 U.S. rural electric cooperatives, with a delivery cost of 1.6 cents per kWh from substation to member, well below state and national medians. Wholesale purchased power represents approximately 80% of operating expenses, sourced from a blend of hydro, coal, wind, natural gas, and solar through generation and transmission partners.
The cooperative's core product is regulated electric distribution, supplemented by a member-facing digital platform (SmartHub, a NISC-licensed mobile and online account management tool), N.E.T. Broadband internet service, and member benefit programs including Co-op Connections Card, Operation Round-Up, scholarships, and the Youth Tour. Energy efficiency rebates, electric vehicle charger rebates, and renewable programs such as Prairie Winds Green Energy extend the value proposition. Distribution is exclusively direct within the assigned service territory, with no channel partners, resellers, or multi-state operation. Outreach is delivered through a monthly Smart Choices newsletter, social media channels, the Iowa State Fair via Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa, and safety education programs. Wholesale rate increases of 8% in each of the past two Januarys pressured margins, prompting NWREC's first base rate adjustment in eleven years, effective June 1, 2026, projected to increase annual revenues by approximately 12.5% (net 5% after a Power Cost Adjustment reduction). Leadership is provided by CEO/General Manager Lyle Korver, with the cooperative remaining member-owned, non-venture-backed, and not publicly traded.
North West REC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- North West REC
- Legal name
- North West Rural Electric Cooperative
- Website
- https://nwrec.coop
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1935
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- North West Rural Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Orange City, Iowa, delivering power across roughly 3,750 miles of line to over 10,000 farms, homes, and businesses in rural Northwest Iowa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
North West REC industry classification
Industry- 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)
Keywords
Where North West REC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Le Mars
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
North West REC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Single Phase Residential - New Rate (Effective June 1, 2026) |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Single Phase Residential - Previous Rate |
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
North West REC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
North West Rural Electric Cooperative (North West REC) is a consumer-owned electric distribution cooperative delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electric power to rural Northwest Iowa. It serves over 10,000 farms, homes, and businesses through approximately 3,750 miles of owned distribution lines, supported by digital account management via the SmartHub platform, energy efficiency rebates, renewable energy programs, and member benefit offerings.
Product overview
North West REC is a consumer-owned rural electric cooperative serving Northwest Iowa with approximately 3,750 miles of power lines to over 10,000 farms, homes, and businesses. The cooperative's product portfolio centers on its core electric distribution service, complemented by the SmartHub digital platform for account management and bill payment, and various member benefit programs including the Co-op Connections discount card, renewable energy options, electric vehicle rebates, and community programs like Operation Round-Up and scholarship opportunities. The cooperative also offers N.E.T. Broadband internet service and provides educational resources through its Smart Choices energy efficiency newsletter.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SmartHub: Online bill payment and account management platform for members to access their accounts and pay bills
- Smart Choices
- Prairie Winds Green Energy
- Co-op Connections Card
- Operation Round-Up
- N.E.T. Broadband
Products and services
- Electric Distribution Service Rural electric distribution service delivering safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible power to member-consumers across Northwest Iowa through approximately 3,750 miles of power lines serving over 10,000 farms, homes, and businesses.
- SmartHub
Quantifiable outcome
- Electric rates in bottom 5% compared to other 800 RECs in U.S.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use North West REC
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
North West REC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
North West REC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Touchstone EnergycoreNorth West REC is a Touchstone Energy member, part of a nationwide network of locally owned electric cooperatives. Touchstone Energy provides resources, branding, and leverages partnerships to help member-consumers use energy wisely. The cooperative participates in joint marketing through Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Iowa.
- Wholesale Power SupplierscoreApproximately 80% of operating expenses are wholesale purchased power costs. Power suppliers provide a blend of hydro, coal, wind, natural gas, solar and other sources. Wholesale rates increased 8% in January of each of the last two years. Power suppliers are developing new large load policies to require data centers and large loads to pay for new infrastructure investments.
- Iowa Association of Electric CooperativescoreStatewide association of Iowa electric cooperatives. Coordinates statewide outage mapping, joint safety campaigns including Shine the Light contest, and representation for legislative and regulatory matters.
- Iowa Energy CenterminorIowa state agency providing resources and information on energy efficiency and renewable energy options for Iowa residents.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
North West REC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- CoBank: CoBank is a major lender to U.S. electric cooperatives and is a likely capital partner for NWREC's long-term debt and infrastructure financing; it is comparable as the upstream financial counterparty for co-op utilities of this profile.
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA): NRECA is the national trade association serving ~900 U.S. electric co-ops; it provides advocacy, training, and insurance products that NWREC leverages, making it an enabling peer in the cooperative ecosystem.
- Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives: IAEC is the statewide trade association for Iowa's electric co-ops and operates the shared outage map and joint safety/marketing programs that NWREC uses; it is a governance and shared-services peer rather than a direct competitor.
Direct peers
- Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative: Butler County REC is an Iowa-based member-owned distribution cooperative with similar scale, infrastructure footprint, and Touchstone Energy affiliation as North West REC.
- Corn Belt Power Cooperative: Corn Belt Power is an Iowa-based generation-and-transmission cooperative serving distribution members in northern Iowa with overlapping service territory and shared Touchstone Energy affiliation, making it a direct functional peer.
- Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative: Allamakee-Clayton is a Touchstone Energy-affiliated rural electric distribution cooperative serving Northeast Iowa; it has a comparable size, customer count, and service profile to NWREC.
Broad incumbents
- Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Basin Electric is one of the largest generation-and-transmission (G&T) cooperatives in the U.S. and supplies wholesale power to member distribution coops; it is comparable to NWREC's wholesale power supply chain and Iowa-region energy mix.
- MidAmerican Energy Company: MidAmerican Energy is the investor-owned utility serving large parts of Iowa, including adjacent territory to NWREC; it provides electric generation, transmission, and distribution across the state and competes for large-load customers in NWREC's region.
- Touchstone Energy Cooperatives: Toustone Energy is the national branding and services alliance of which North West REC is a member; it represents over 750 local electric cooperatives in 46 states, making it the most directly comparable industry umbrella and marketing peer.
Regional players
- ITC Midwest: ITC Midwest operates the high-voltage transmission grid in Iowa that NWREC's distribution network connects into; it is a regional transmission peer in the same electricity value chain within NWREC's service geography.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
North West REC social profiles
Digital presenceNorth West REC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
North West REC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
North West REC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
North West REC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about North West REC
What does North West REC do?
North West Rural Electric Cooperative (North West REC) is a consumer-owned electric distribution cooperative delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electric power to rural Northwest Iowa. It serves over 10,000 farms, homes, and businesses through approximately 3,750 miles of owned distribution lines, supported by digital account management via the SmartHub platform, energy efficiency rebates, renewable energy programs, and member benefit offerings.
Is North West REC a public or private company?
North West REC is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was North West REC founded?
North West REC was founded in 1935. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is North West REC based?
North West REC is headquartered in Le Mars, United States, in the North America region.
Who are North West REC's main competitors?
Others on record are CoBank, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives. Direct peers are Butler County Rural Electric Cooperative, Corn Belt Power Cooperative and Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative. Broad incumbents are Basin Electric Power Cooperative, MidAmerican Energy Company and Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. ITC Midwest is listed as a regional player.
Does North West REC have an API?
No public API is recorded for North West REC.
What industry is North West REC in?
North West REC's product category is Rural Electric Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities). Its NAICS code is 221122 and its SIC code is 4911.