Cullman Electric Cooperative

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.

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

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

• Electric utility services
• Rural electrification
• Fiber internet service
• Member-owned cooperative
• Outage management

Headquarters

HQ city

Cullman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Sprout Fiber Internet Service: High-speed fiber internet service launched June 2020, providing symmetrical upload/download speeds to residential and commercial customers.
3. 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.
4. Outdoor Lighting Service: Monthly service charges for outdoor/security lighting installed on cooperative poles, with installation fees and contract requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTVA 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 EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational 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 SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationEnergy 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational 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 DepartmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCullman EC provides billing services for Cullman County Water customers who also receive electric service, allowing combined payment for both utilities.
• Arley Water DepartmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCullman EC provides billing services for Arley Water customers, consolidating water and electric payments for member convenience.
• Multiple Sanitation DepartmentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCullman 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 AlabamaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdministers 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)minorOthersVarious 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/cullmanec
• Facebookfacebook.com/cullmanec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Cullman Electric Cooperative