Caney Fork Electric Cooperative

What Caney Fork Electric Cooperative does

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative (CFEC) is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative formed in July 1940 at the Sparta, Tennessee courthouse. It distributes electricity to 35,104 services, including 28,988 residential member-owners, across Warren, White, DeKalb, and Van Buren counties plus portions of Cannon, Coffee, Grundy, Putnam, and Sequatchie counties in Tennessee. CFEC maintains more than 4,089 miles of electric distribution lines with a dedicated team of approximately 80 employees operating from four local offices (McMinnville, Sparta, Spencer, Smithville). The cooperative operates under Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) regulatory oversight, which governs its rates and service practices.

CFEC's core product is regulated electricity distribution billed monthly to its member-owners, supplemented by a layered portfolio of member services. The technology stack includes a smart metering backbone, an outage management system (cfec-oms.com), and the MyUsage digital platform for online and mobile bill management, daily usage monitoring, paperless e-billing, and credit-card payments. Value-added products include meter-based surge protection ($6.31/month), LED security lighting under three-year contracts, and the TVA EnergyRight residential audit program. CFEC also distributes TVA-financed heat pump loans (up to $20,000 at 8% for 2-10 years), 12-month no-interest water heater financing through approved retailers, and USDA-backed REDL&G (up to $1,000,000 at 0%) and IRP (up to $250,000 at 2-7%) industrial economic development loans. Commercial and industrial services include free power quality studies, HVAC and lighting analysis, and new construction consulting.

CFEC's business model combines regulated recurring monthly distribution revenue with subscription add-ons (surge protection, security lighting), financing income (heat pump, water heater, industrial loans), and ancillary service revenue. As a cooperative, profits are allocated back to members under one-member-one-vote democratic governance. Distribution is direct through physical offices, digital self-service, direct crew installation, and certified energy-advisor home visits. Beyond energy delivery, CFEC operates a substantial community-engagement program including youth leadership programs (Washington Youth Tour, Youth Leadership Summit, 4-H Electric Camp), Partners in Education with three elementary schools, county fair participation, and a free community auditorium. Jason Riley serves as General Manager. CFEC has no subsidiaries, no parent company, no public listing, and no M&A history.

Name

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative

Website

https://caneyforkec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative founded in 1940 that distributes electricity to approximately 35,104 services, including 28,988 residential members, across five counties in rural Tennessee under TVA oversight, with value-added services such as surge protection, security lighting, energy-efficiency financing, and solar interconnection.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Electric utility distribution
• Cooperative electricity service
• Rural electrification
• Residential power supply
• Energy efficiency programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mcminnville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Residential Electricity Distribution: Monthly electricity distribution to 28,988 residential member-owners across Warren, White, DeKalb, Van Buren, and portions of Cannon, Coffee, Grundy, Putnam, and Sequatchie counties. Revenue is generated through regulated retail electricity rates billed monthly to members. CFEC is a member-owned cooperative, so profits are allocated back to members.
2. Commercial & Industrial Services: Free and fee-based commercial and industrial services including power quality studies, energy usage analysis, lighting recommendations, HVAC analysis, electrical distribution system analysis, new construction consulting, and power bill analysis for business customers in the service territory.
3. Industrial IRP Loans: Through USDA Rural Economic Development Loan Program (REDL&G) — maximum $1,000,000 at 0% interest over 10 years, and Intermediary Relending Loan Program (IRP) — maximum $250,000 at 2% to 7% interest for up to 10 years. Loans for land, buildings, or equipment with job creation requirements.
4. Heat Pump Loan Program: TVA-financed heat pump loans up to $20,000 at 8% interest for 2 to 10 years. Payments added to the member's electric bill. Covers residential heat pumps, dual fuel heat pumps, mini-splits, and geothermal systems.
5. Water Heater Financing: 12-month no-interest financing for new electric water heaters, with payments added to the monthly electric bill. Water heaters must be purchased at approved retail locations.
6. Surge Protection: Meter-based surge protection service at $6.31 per month covering major motor-driven appliances. The cooperative installs and maintains the unit at no additional cost to the member.
7. Security Lighting: Security light installation for residential and commercial members. Members sign a three-year contract. LED options available including 55W/60W LED and 146W/150W LED floodlights.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative distributes electricity to 35,104 member-owned services across Warren, White, DeKalb, Van Buren, and portions of Cannon, Coffee, Grundy, Putnam, and Sequatchie counties in Tennessee, maintaining over 4,089 miles of distribution lines. Beyond electricity distribution, it delivers member account services (MyUsage digital platform, Click & Pay, Bank Draft, Levelized Billing, Paperless E-Billing), TVA-affiliated energy programs (EnergyRight audits, heat pump and water heater financing, solar interconnection), surge protection and LED security lighting add-ons, free commercial/industrial energy consulting, and USDA-backed industrial development loans (REDL&G up to $1,000,000 at 0% interest; IRP up to $250,000).

Product overview

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative operates as a distribution electricity provider serving Warren, White, DeKalb, Van Buren, and portions of Cannon, Coffee, Grundy, Putnam, and Sequatchie counties in Tennessee. The cooperative offers a portfolio of member-facing products organized into four tiers: (1) Core billing and payment services including MyUsage (online/mobile bill viewing and payment), Click & Pay, Bank Draft, Levelized Billing, and Paperless E-Billing; (2) Energy efficiency and weatherization programs under the TVA EnergyRight brand including the Energy Right New Homes Program, Manufactured New Home Program, Heat Pump Program (8% financing up to $20,000), Water Heater Program (12-month no-interest), Insulation Requirements, EnergyRight Residential Audit/Self-Audit, TVA Solar Program, and Energy Saving Tips; (3) Commercial and industrial services including power quality studies, usage analysis, lighting and HVAC analysis, electrical distribution analysis, and Industrial IRP Loans (up to $1,000,000 at 0%); and (4) Surge Protection and Security Lighting add-on services. The cooperative also operates 24-Hour Power Restoration, a Construction Portal, and Electrical Permits services. Beyond energy delivery, the cooperative runs youth development programs (Washington Youth Tour, Youth Leadership Summit, 4-H Electric Camp, Tennessee Council of Cooperatives Young Leaders Conference), school safety education, community partnerships, and an auditorium available for public use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Energy Right Program: Energy efficiency program providing insulation requirements, heat pump programs, water heater programs, solar programs, and new home evaluations for residential and commercial customers.
• MyUsage

Products and services

• MyUsage Digital account management platform (web and mobile) that allows cooperative members to monitor daily electricity consumption, view and pay bills, set usage alerts, and enroll in paperless eBilling. Payments accepted via Visa or MasterCard without convenience fees.
• Click & Pay Online one-time payment portal (myusagepayments.com/utility/TNCAN) enabling cooperative members to pay their electric bill by credit or debit card.
• Bank Draft Automatic monthly payment service that electronically deducts the cooperative member's electric bill amount from their bank account on the due date.
• Levelized Billing Averaged monthly billing program for members that averages the current month's usage with the previous 11 months to produce approximately equal monthly payments, limiting month-to-month variance to no more than 20%.
• Paperless E-Billing Electronic bill delivery service for cooperative members that delivers bills 5-7 days earlier than paper mail while preserving all standard payment options.
• Heat Pump Program TVA-financed residential heating equipment loan program offering up to $20,000 at 8% interest with 2 to 10 year terms, covering heat pumps, dual fuel heat pumps, mini-splits, and geothermal systems. Includes a free energy audit and verification by a CFEC energy advisor. Payments are added to the member's monthly electric bill.
• Water Heater Program 12-month no-interest financing program for new electric water heaters purchased at approved retail locations (Ace of McMinnville, Ace Hardware of DeKalb Co., Potters of Sparta), with payments added to the member's monthly electric bill.
• Surge Protection Utility-grade surge protection service including meter-based whole-house protection installed and maintained by the cooperative at $6.31/month for major motor-driven appliances (refrigerator, washer, dryer, air conditioner), plus point-of-use plug-in protectors for sensitive electronics with phone, cable, or coaxial TV connections.
• Security Lighting LED security lighting installation service for residential and commercial members offering 55W or 60W LED fixtures and 146W or 150W LED floodlights (directional), with a three-year contract commitment.
• TVA EnergyRight Residential Audit Home energy evaluation service (DIY or conducted by a certified CFEC energy advisor) producing a 1-to-10 efficiency ranking, customized upgrade recommendations, financing for eligible improvements, and quality assurance inspection through TVA's Quality Contractor Network.
• TVA Solar Program TVA's Dispersed Power Production Program enabling member-owned solar producers to interconnect with the cooperative's distribution grid through a signed interconnection agreement with Caney Fork Electric.
• Commercial & Industrial Services Free tailored energy services for commercial and industrial customers in the CFEC service territory, including power quality studies, industrial process recommendations, electric usage analysis, lighting design, HVAC analysis, electrical distribution systems analysis, new construction consulting, and power bill analysis. Offered through TVA assistance funding.
• Industrial IRP Loans USDA-backed economic development loan programs administered by CFEC for local businesses: the Rural Economic Development Loan Program (REDL&G) up to $1,000,000 at 0% interest over 10 years, and the Intermediary Relending Loan Program (IRP) up to $250,000 at 2% to 7% interest for up to 10 years. Funds may be used for land, buildings, or equipment purchases tied to job creation.
• 24-Hour Power Restoration Round-the-clock emergency power outage response and meter reconnection service for members, supported by local outage phone numbers in McMinnville, Sparta, Spencer, and Smithville, plus a toll-free number (1-888-505-3030).
• Construction Portal Online resource for home builders and contractors providing downloadable packets, underground service specifications, ground rod requirements, and state permit information through the Tennessee CORE system for new construction and electrical service installation.
• Energy Right New Homes Program TVA EnergyRight energy efficiency program for new site-built homes evaluating insulation, HVAC, duct sealing, doors and windows, air sealing, and Energy Star appliances to achieve energy savings and home comfort.
• Manufactured New Home Program TVA EnergyRight energy efficiency program for new manufactured homes specifying R-11 wall insulation, R-22 floor insulation, R-30 attic insulation, underpinning, and heat pump or dual-fuel systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTVA provides regulatory oversight for CFEC's rates and service practices. TVA is the primary strategic partner providing the EnergyRight program platform (energy evaluations, heat pump financing, solar interconnection via the Dispersed Power Production Program), the Quality Contractor Network (QCN) for energy audits and installations, and TVA financing for residential heat pump and geothermal loans up to $20,000. CFEC participates in TVA's complaint resolution process and the TVA Solar Program.
• Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association (TECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTECA publishes The Tennessee Magazine, in which CFEC participates to reach members. TECA also co-sponsors the Washington Youth Tour and coordinates the Tennessee Council of Cooperatives Young Leaders Conference, in which CFEC couples participate. CFEC is a member of TECA and the TCC.
• EnergyRight (TVA Program)coreTechnology or IntegrationEnergyRight is TVA's energy efficiency program platform that CFEC leverages for residential and commercial energy services including home energy audits, the Quality Contractor Network, DIY energy evaluations, heat pump financing, solar program, and the EnergyRight Marketplace. CFEC integrates its energy advisor services with the EnergyRight platform.
• University of Tennessee Extension Service / 4-HminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFEC partners with the University of Tennessee Extension Service and local 4-H clubs to participate in 4-H Electric Camp. The week-long camp at UT Knoxville includes workshops taught by electric cooperative personnel on electrical safety, wind energy, robotics, home energy conservation, and electric vehicles.
• Doyle Elementary School, Irving College Elementary School, Spencer ElementaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFEC is a Partner-In-Education with three elementary schools: Doyle Elementary School (White County), Irving College Elementary School (Warren County), and Spencer Elementary (Van Buren County). These partnerships support educational outreach and community engagement at the local school level.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/caneyforkelectriccooperative
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caney-fork-electric-cooperative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Caney Fork Electric Cooperative