Cullman Electric Cooperative
Cullman Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative founded in 1936, serving over 42,000 member accounts across four Alabama counties via more than 3,300 miles of power lines, with energy rates set by the Tennessee Valley Authority and supplemental broadband service through its Sprout Fiber Internet subsidiary.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1936
- HeadquartersCullman, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Cullman Electric Cooperative does
Cullman Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative founded in 1936 through New Deal-era federal programs to electrify rural Cullman County, Alabama. The cooperative distributes electricity across four counties (Cullman, Morgan, Lawrence, and Winston) to over 42,000-49,000 member accounts through more than 3,300 miles of power lines, with rates set by the Tennessee Valley Authority on a pass-through basis. Beyond core electricity delivery, the cooperative has expanded into fiber broadband via its wholly-owned Sprout Fiber Internet subsidiary (launched June 2020, with a 2030 territory-wide buildout target), offers combined water/sanitation billing for multiple municipalities, and provides add-on services including outdoor lighting, EV charging stations through ChargePoint, GenerLink generator interfaces, SmartPAY prepaid billing, UsageTracker consumption analytics, and Levelized Billing.
The underlying technology stack combines traditional distribution infrastructure (poles, transformers, meters, smart grid components) with a fiber-optic network, a real-time Outage Management System with public live map, iOS/Android mobile apps, and a member portal supporting account management, bill payment, outage reporting, and usage tracking. The cooperative operates a member-elected Board of Trustees across eight geographic districts plus one at-large seat, with a leadership team led by CEO Tim Culpepper and a workforce of roughly 100-120 employees spanning linework, engineering, metering, member services, IT, finance, and communications. Revenue is generated through usage-based electric charges (~$0.12956/kWh energy charge plus $42.54/month customer charge), recurring fiber subscriptions, and contract-based outdoor lighting and billing services, with all excess revenue reinvested under the cooperative's not-for-profit model.
Cullman EC differentiates through community programs (Operation Round Up donated over $6M to education since 1993, HUG utility assistance, Community Cupboard food pantry, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, youth education and scholarships), statewide and national affiliations (Touchstone Energy, NRECA, Alabama Rural Electric Association), and a 90-year member trust position. The cooperative markets primarily through community events (Touch-A-Truck, annual meeting), the Alabama Living monthly magazine, and social media, with operational distribution handled directly through its own workforce and physical infrastructure.
Cullman Electric Cooperative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cullman Electric Cooperative
- Legal name
- Cullman Electric Cooperative
- Website
- https://cullmanec.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1936
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Cullman Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative founded in 1936, serving over 42,000 member accounts across four Alabama counties via more than 3,300 miles of power lines, with energy rates set by the Tennessee Valley Authority and supplemental broadband service through its Sprout Fiber Internet subsidiary.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cullman Electric Cooperative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Utility Services
- NAICS
- Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)
Keywords
Where Cullman Electric Cooperative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cullman
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Cullman Electric Cooperative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electric Service Revenue: Monthly charges for electricity based on kWh consumption plus fixed customer charge. Rates are set by TVA and passed through to members. Revenue is not-for-profit with excess returned to members.
- Sprout Fiber Internet Service: High-speed fiber internet service launched June 2020, providing symmetrical upload/download speeds to residential and commercial customers.
- Billing Services for Third Parties: Cullman Electric provides combined billing for Cullman County Water, Arley Water, and multiple sanitation departments, consolidating payments for member convenience.
- Outdoor Lighting Service: Monthly service charges for outdoor/security lighting installed on cooperative poles, with installation fees and contract requirements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Monthly | Residential Electric Service |
| Usage-based | Monthly | 400 Amps and Over Residential |
| Subscription | Monthly | Outdoor Lighting - Property Owner |
| Subscription | Monthly | Outdoor Lighting - Non-Property Owner |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Residential Security Deposit |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | SmartPAY Prepay Service |
| Subscription | Monthly | Levelized Billing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Cullman Electric Cooperative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cullman Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution utility that delivers electricity purchased wholesale from the Tennessee Valley Authority to over 42,000–49,000 member accounts across four Alabama counties. The cooperative also operates Sprout Fiber Internet, a fiber-to-the-home broadband service launched in June 2020 across its rural service territory. Supporting offerings include SmartPAY prepaid billing, UsageTracker, Levelized Billing, a member portal and mobile app, outdoor lighting, EV charging stations, and combined billing for partner water and sanitation utilities.
Product overview
Cullman Electric Cooperative operates as a member-owned electric utility providing traditional electricity distribution services to residential, commercial, and industrial members across four Alabama counties. The cooperative offers a unified core electric service product complemented by several add-on modules and sub-brands including Sprout Fiber Internet (fiber-optic broadband launched in 2020), SmartPAY prepaid billing, Usage Tracker for energy monitoring, Levelized Billing for budget-friendly payments, a mobile app and online member portal, water/sanitation billing partnerships, EV charging stations, GenerLink generator connections, outdoor lighting services, and community programs such as Operation Round-Up educational grants. The cooperative was established in 1936 and currently serves over 42,000-49,000 member accounts through more than 3,300 miles of power lines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cullman Electric Cooperative Electric Service Traditional electricity distribution service providing power to residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural members across Cullman, Morgan, Lawrence, and Winston counties in Alabama. Delivers reliable, affordable energy to over 42,000–49,000 member accounts through more than 3,300 miles of power lines. Rates are set by TVA and passed through to members; the cooperative is not-for-profit with excess revenue reinvested into service.
- Sprout Fiber Internet High-speed fiber-optic broadband internet service providing symmetrical upload/download speeds with lag-free connectivity for all devices. Delivered over the cooperative's fiber-optic network to residential and commercial customers in rural Alabama. Part of Cullman EC's initiative to bring essential broadband to underserved rural communities.
- SmartPAY Prepaid Electrical Service Pay-as-you-go electricity program allowing members to prepay for electricity before use. Features no deposit, no late fees, and no monthly bills. Usage and balance are calculated daily with email alerts when accounts run low. Participants typically see 10–12% reduction in monthly electric bill.
- Levelized Billing Billing program that averages monthly power bills over the current and previous 11 months of usage, providing consistent monthly payment amounts for easier budgeting. Requires 12 months as member and on-time payment in full for 12 consecutive months.
- Water and Sanitation Billing Combined billing service partnering with Cullman County Water, Arley Water, and local sanitation departments (Cullman County, Lawrence County, Morgan County, Winston County) to provide single-payment convenience for electric, water, and sanitation services.
- Outdoor Lighting Service Security and outdoor lighting service installed on existing cooperative poles. Monthly service charges apply per rate schedule, with $180 installation fee for property owners and $225 installation fee for non-property owners (non-refundable), and a 2-year contract requirement.
- EV Charging Stations Electric vehicle charging infrastructure including a two-vehicle charging station at the Eva Road office. Accessible via the ChargePoint network and app, allowing drivers to locate and use local charging stations.
- GenerLink Generator Connection Device Generator connection device installed at the electric meter that provides safe connection from the meter to a generator. Automatically disconnects from the utility grid to prevent dangerous backfeeding. Available for services 200 amps or lower.
Quantifiable outcome
- SmartPAY participants typically see 10-12% reduction in monthly electric bill
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Cullman Electric Cooperative
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Cullman Electric Cooperative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature6 records
Cullman Electric Cooperative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)coreTVA generates and transmits electricity to Cullman Electric Cooperative. TVA sets rates that Cullman EC passes through to members. The relationship includes the EnergyRight Solutions programs, Generation Cost Adjustment mechanisms, and Emergency Load Curtailment Program. Cullman EC is subject to TVA rules and regulations in rate-setting.
- Touchstone EnergycoreNational network of electric cooperatives across 45 states providing research, communications resources, and employee training programs to strengthen member relationships. Cullman EC is a member of this cooperative network.
- TVA EnergyRight SolutionscoreEnergy efficiency programs for residential and commercial members including rebates ($1,500-$15,000), Quality Contractor Network, home energy evaluations, and DIY assessments. Integrated into Cullman EC's energy savings offerings.
- Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA)coreState association supporting Alabama's electric cooperatives. Organizes Montgomery Youth Tour for high school juniors and selects recipients for the Electric Cooperative Foundation Scholarship.
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)coreNational organization representing America's electric cooperatives. Hosts the Washington D.C. Youth Tour and provides director training and credentialing programs. Cullman EC board members have earned NRECA certifications.
- Cullman County Water DepartmentminorCullman EC provides billing services for Cullman County Water customers who also receive electric service, allowing combined payment for both utilities.
- Arley Water DepartmentminorCullman EC provides billing services for Arley Water customers, consolidating water and electric payments for member convenience.
- Multiple Sanitation DepartmentsminorCullman EC bills for Cullman County, Lawrence County, Morgan County, and Winston County sanitation departments. Members receive combined utility billing including trash service.
- Community Action of North AlabamaminorAdministers Operation Share funds for emergency utility bill assistance to needy families. Cullman EC collects and forwards member donations to Community Action for distribution.
- Community Resources (Various)minorVarious local assistance organizations including Cullman Community Action (256-734-5170), Committee on Church Cooperation, First United Methodist Church of Cullman, St. Vincent De Paul, West Point First Baptist Church, and United Way 211
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cullman Electric Cooperative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- North Alabama Electric Cooperative: Touchstone Energy-affiliated rural electric cooperative operating in the TVA region with overlapping member services (outdoor lighting, levelized billing, surge protection). Closely comparable in scale, geography, and member-owned governance model.
- Tombigbee Electric Cooperative: Member-owned Alabama electric cooperative serving a multi-county rural footprint under the Touchstone Energy network. Similar scale, distribution model, and member services portfolio.
- Joe Wheeler Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric cooperative serving parts of north Alabama under the TVA umbrella, with a comparable rural distribution footprint, Touchstone Energy affiliation, and similar mix of residential, commercial, and agricultural members. Direct structural and operational analogue to Cullman Electric Cooperative.
- Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative: Member-owned Alabama electric cooperative providing comparable distribution and member services in northeast Alabama. Similar rural footprint, TVA supply arrangement, and Touchstone Energy affiliation.
- Black Warrior Electric Membership Corporation: Alabama-based member-owned electric cooperative serving a multi-county rural territory in the TVA region. Strong structural and operational analogue, with overlapping member programs and service categories.
- Central Alabama Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric cooperative in central Alabama providing directly comparable distribution services, member programs, and TVA-era generation supply to a similar rural member base.
- Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative: Alabama-based member-owned electric cooperative serving a multi-county rural territory under the Touchstone Energy umbrella. Directly comparable in governance, scale, and service mix.
- PowerSouth Energy Cooperative: Alabama-based generation-and-transmission cooperative serving multiple distribution co-ops across the region, including TVA-served territory. Closely aligned cooperative business model and overlapping member base in Alabama.
- Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative: Touchstone Energy-affiliated rural electric cooperative operating in east-central Alabama. Comparable member-owned distribution model and rural Alabama service area.
Broad incumbents
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Federal generation-and-transmission utility that supplies wholesale power to Cullman Electric Cooperative, sets its rates, and operates the EnergyRight Solutions programs. Not a competitor, but the dominant institutional counterparty shaping Cullman EC's economics and service offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cullman Electric Cooperative social profiles
Digital presenceCullman Electric Cooperative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cullman Electric Cooperative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Cullman Electric Cooperative subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Cullman Electric Cooperative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cullman Electric Cooperative 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 Cullman Electric Cooperative
What does Cullman Electric Cooperative do?
Cullman Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution utility that delivers electricity purchased wholesale from the Tennessee Valley Authority to over 42,000–49,000 member accounts across four Alabama counties. The cooperative also operates Sprout Fiber Internet, a fiber-to-the-home broadband service launched in June 2020 across its rural service territory. Supporting offerings include SmartPAY prepaid billing, UsageTracker, Levelized Billing, a member portal and mobile app, outdoor lighting, EV charging stations, and combined billing for partner water and sanitation utilities.
Is Cullman Electric Cooperative a public or private company?
Cullman Electric Cooperative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Cullman Electric Cooperative founded?
Cullman Electric Cooperative was founded in 1936. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Cullman Electric Cooperative based?
Cullman Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Cullman, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cullman Electric Cooperative make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Electric Service Revenue is the primary driver. The others are sprout Fiber Internet Service, billing Services for Third Parties and outdoor Lighting Service.
Who are Cullman Electric Cooperative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are North Alabama Electric Cooperative, Tombigbee Electric Cooperative, Joe Wheeler Electric Cooperative, Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative, Black Warrior Electric Membership Corporation, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative and Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Cullman Electric Cooperative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cullman Electric Cooperative.
What industry is Cullman Electric Cooperative in?
Cullman Electric Cooperative's product category is Electric Utility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADABAC, Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities). Its NAICS code is 22112 and its SIC code is 4911.