What Tri-County EMC does

Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation (Tri-County EMC) is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Gray, Georgia, founded in 1939 and serving approximately 23,700 meters across Jones, Putnam, and Wilkinson Counties in central Georgia. The cooperative operates 2,838 miles of distribution line and a 1 MW community solar array (4,200+ panels, over 2 million kWh annually) with 84 employees across two service centers in Gray and Eatonton. Core service is regulated electric distribution delivered through traditional post-pay and a prepaid "Pay Your Way" program (10.8¢/kWh residential, 13.4¢/kWh commercial) that uses smart meters with daily usage calculation and disconnect collar functionality. As a Georgia EMC, the cooperative holds an exclusive service territory, operates on a cost-of-service rate model, and returns excess margins to members as capital credits.

The business model blends usage-based electric distribution with subscription-based and community programs: Cooperative Solar (ourSolar) blocks at $20/month per 1.22 kW, Green Power EMC blocks at $4 per 150 kWh/month, rooftop solar net metering buyback, and Tri-CoGo Fiber, a wholly-owned fiber broadband subsidiary that launched new lifestyle-tier internet plans in May 2026. Member engagement is reinforced through the myTCEMC native iOS/Android app, online bill pay, CheckOut barcode payments at Dollar General/CVS/Family Dollar, 24-hour PaySite kiosks, Operation Roundup and Bright Ideas grants, and four named scholarship programs. Customers are segmented horizontally into residential and commercial members with no disclosed enterprise anchors, and revenue is generated through kWh charges, monthly minimums, subscription fees, and distributed energy buyback. Leadership is led by CEO Hill Bentley; Clate Hollinshead manages safety and training.

Name

Tri-County EMC

Legal name

Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation

Website

https://tri-countyemc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tri-County EMC is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving 23,700 meters across Jones, Putnam, and Wilkinson Counties in central Georgia, offering traditional and prepaid electricity, community solar, Green Power subscriptions, and fiber broadband through its Tri-CoGo subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Municipal Electric Utilities (Munis) (EUADABAB)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Prepaid electricity billing
• Community solar programs
• Net metering buyback
• Fiber internet services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gray

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Service: Core revenue from electricity distribution to residential and commercial members. Revenue generated through kWh charges, monthly minimum charges, and applicable rate structures. The cooperative operates on a cost-of-service basis as a member-owned entity.
2. Prepay Billing Program (pay your way): Prepaid electricity program where customers purchase electricity before use. Energy charged at 10.8 cents per kWh for residential and 13.4 cents per kWh for commercial. Monthly minimum charges apply.
3. Cooperative Solar (ourSolar): Community solar program where members purchase solar blocks at $20/month per 1.22kW block. Each block credited against normal usage on monthly electric bill.
4. Green Power Program: Renewable energy subscription program allowing members to support cleaner energy. Available in 150 kWh blocks at $4 per block (approximately 2.6 cents per kWh above standard rate).
5. Net Metering/Rooftop Solar Buyback: Purchase of distributed generation energy from member-installed solar or other systems at avoided wholesale energy cost rate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tri-County EMC is a member-owned electric cooperative that distributes electricity to approximately 23,700 residential and commercial meters across Jones, Putnam, and Wilkinson Counties in central Georgia via 2,838 miles of power lines. Beyond core electricity distribution, it offers prepaid billing (Pay Your Way), community and rooftop solar programs, Green Power renewable subscriptions, surge protection guidance, and fiber internet through its Tri-CoGo Fiber subsidiary, complemented by member programs such as capital credit refunds, scholarships, and community grants.

Product overview

Tri-County EMC is an electric membership corporation providing electricity distribution to approximately 23,700 meters across Jones, Putnam, and Wilkinson Counties in Georgia. The cooperative operates as a single unified utility platform offering core electricity service alongside a comprehensive suite of member benefit programs. Key product lines include traditional and prepaid billing options (Pay Your Way), a native mobile app (myTCEMC) for account management, Tri-CoGo Fiber for high-speed internet, and various renewable energy options including Cooperative Solar, Rooftop Solar/Net Metering, and Green Power EMC subscriptions. The cooperative also provides community support through Operation Roundup and Bright Ideas grants, multiple scholarship programs, and Capital Credits returns. Additional services include surge protection education, right-of-way maintenance, and safety programs. All services are accessible through the myTCEMC mobile app and online portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tri-CoGo Fiber: Fiber internet and broadband services offered by Tri-County EMC to residential and business customers.
• myTCEMC

Products and services

• Tri-CoGo Fiber High-speed fiber internet service offered by Tri-County EMC's wholly-owned subsidiary, providing residential and business connectivity options with plans tailored to customer lifestyles. Launched May 15 with new lifestyle-tailored plans.
• myTCEMC Mobile App Native mobile application available for iOS and Android devices that enables members to view accounts, view and pay bills, manage alerts and reminders, make payments, view payment history, report outages, view usage graphs, and locate offices.
• Pay Your Way (Prepaid Billing) Prepaid electricity billing program where customers purchase electricity before use and pay how and when they choose, with no security deposits or late fees. Usage and balance are calculated daily with alerts when accounts run low; available as residential (10.8¢/kWh, $47.50 monthly minimum) and commercial (13.4¢/kWh, $49 monthly) tiers.
• Capital Credits Member benefit program where excess margins (capital credits) are returned to members as bill credits for active members or refund checks for former members, representing the cooperative's nonprofit structure.
• Operation Roundup Community development program funded by voluntary customer contributions to the Tri-County EMC Foundation, granting funds to nonprofit and civic organizations within the service area.
• Bright Ideas Grant Grant program providing funds for teachers for innovative classroom projects in grades Pre-K through 12 that would not otherwise be funded.
• Cooperative Solar (ourSolar) Community solar program allowing members to subscribe to solar energy blocks from a 1 MW, 10-acre solar array with over 4,200 panels generating over 2 million kWh annually, without installing panels on their property. Members purchase $20/month per 1.22 kW block, with each block credited against normal usage.
• Rooftop Solar / Net Metering Distributed generation program enabling residential systems up to 10 kW and commercial systems up to 100 kW to connect and sell excess energy back to the cooperative through net metering at avoided wholesale energy cost rate.
• Green Power EMC Renewable energy subscription program offering blocks of 150 kWh per month generated from biomass, allowing members to support cleaner energy created in Georgia. Available in 150 kWh blocks at $4 per block (approximately 2.6 cents per kWh above standard rate).
• Surge Protection Electrical surge protection services and education explaining surge paths, importance of grounding, and point-of-use protector recommendations for sensitive electronics.
• Online Bill Pay Digital billing and payment platform allowing members to view bills, payment history, manage account subscriptions for alerts and reminders, and make secure payments.
• Scholarship Programs Annual scholarship programs including Cooperative Scholarship, Operation Roundup Scholarship, Lineman Scholarship, and Walter Harrison Scholarship for students in the service area.
• CheckOut In-store bill payment service allowing members to pay their Tri-County EMC bill at participating Dollar General, CVS, and Family Dollar locations when completing retail purchases, using barcode (printed or on phone) presented to cashier.
• Outage Map Real-time outage tracking system showing current power outages across the service territory, allowing members to view affected areas and report new outages.
• Right-of-Way Maintenance Vegetation management services including herbicide application, tree trimming, and mowing to maintain 30-foot wide rights-of-way along high-voltage power lines for reliable service delivery across Jones, Putnam, and Wilkinson Counties.
• Energy Resource Center Online portal providing energy efficiency information, cost savings tips, and smart energy usage guidance including tools, energy monitoring devices, and Georgia home energy rebate program information.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 MW solar array generates 2 million+ kWh annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Green Power EMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Power EMC is a cooperative-developed renewable energy program that offers Tri-County EMC members the opportunity to support cleaner energy generated from Georgia biomass resources. This is the first renewable energy program in Georgia, developed by thirteen Georgia cooperatives.
• Palmetto Right-of-WayminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHerbicide application contractor that applies chemicals to control vegetation growth around power lines in the service territory.
• Georgia Right-of-WayminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTree trimming contractor that maintains vegetation clearance around primary power lines on the 2,100-mile system.
• CheckOut (SEDC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party payment service enabling bill payment at Dollar General, CVS, and Family Dollar retail locations using barcode technology.
• PaySiteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKiosk provider enabling 24-hour cash and check payments at various retail locations including Tri-County EMC offices, Jet Food Store, and Piggly Wiggly.
• Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency administering Georgia's Home Energy Rebates program that Tri-County EMC promotes to members for energy efficiency improvements.
• Third Wave DigitalminorOthersWebsite design partner responsible for Tri-County EMC's website development and maintenance.
• Tri-CoGo FibercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary internet service provider offering fiber plans to customers, launched by Tri-County EMC to provide broadband services in the community.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Oglethorpe Power Corporation: Generation-and-transmission cooperative serving as wholesale power supplier to Georgia EMCs including Tri-County EMC's power supplier relationships. Relevant as upstream value-chain participant rather than retail competitor.
• Georgia Power: Investor-owned utility serving the majority of Georgia's regulated electric customers. Adjacent service territory and same regulator (Georgia PSC); represents the primary competitive and policy counterweight to EMCs.

Regional players

• Cooperative Energy (Mississippi): Generation-and-transmission cooperative supplying wholesale power to distribution cooperatives in Mississippi. Compares as a peer in rural distribution-cooperative operations and member-owned governance outside Georgia.

Direct peers

• Jefferson Energy Cooperative: East-central Georgia EMC offering electric distribution with comparable community programs, prepay/smart-meter features, and renewable options. Similar scale and member-owned governance.
• Snapping Shoals EMC: Georgia cooperative providing electric distribution and broadband/fiber services to a suburban-rural territory west of Atlanta. Comparable member-owned structure and broadband expansion via fiber subsidiary.
• Jackson EMC: Large Georgia electric membership cooperative serving a multi-county northeast Georgia territory with comparable residential/commercial distribution, broadband, and community solar programs. Highly comparable cooperative structure and product set.
• Walton EMC: Georgia EMC operating fiber broadband subsidiary (Walton EMC Fiber) and community solar offerings, with a similar mix of member-owned distribution services and adjacent broadband revenue. Closest comparable in business model breadth.
• Cobb EMC: One of the largest Georgia EMCs, operating in the western Atlanta metro region with a similar mix of electric distribution, community solar, and member programs. Comparable in product breadth even if larger in scale.
• Middle Georgia EMC: Georgia cooperative neighbor serving a contiguous rural territory, providing electric distribution and member programs in the same regulatory and climatic context. Closest geographic and scale peer.

Emerging players

• Green Power EMC: Cooperative-developed renewable energy program partnership of 13 Georgia EMCs (Tri-County's own green-power partner). Comparable renewable subscription product structure for member-owned utilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tricountyemcga
• Facebookfacebook.com/tricountyemcga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tri-county-emc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Tri-County EMC