Crow Wing Power

What Crow Wing Power does

Crow Wing Power is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative founded in 1937 and headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota. The cooperative distributes electricity across 5,607 miles of power lines to approximately 48,542 members (per website metrics) in a three-county service territory in north central Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes region, selling approximately 650.8 million kWh annually. Wholesale power is procured from Basin Electric Power Cooperative (following a 2023 transition from Great River Energy), and the cooperative operates on a cost-of-service basis under regulated utility principles rather than profit maximization.

The cooperative's core product surface centers on SmartHub, an online and mobile member portal for billing, payments, outage reporting, and governance participation; Load Control Programs (Dual Fuel, AC Control, Water Heating, Irrigation) that curtail electric consumption during peak demand to provide off-peak savings to roughly 30% of members; and the Capital Credits program, which allocates operating margins back to members and retires them 15-20 years after allocation. Supplementary member programs include residential energy rebates ($172,390 disbursed), Co-op Connections discounts at 100+ local businesses and 60,000+ national pharmacies, Operation Round-Up charitable giving (42,444 members contributing, $5.1M+ donated since 1996), scholarships ($131,925 in 2025), and economic development lending ($6.4M+ deployed to 36 businesses since 1994). A wholly-owned subsidiary, Cooperative Mineral Resources, operates alongside the core electric distribution business.

Revenue is generated primarily through electricity distribution fees to members on monthly billing cycles, with margins allocated as capital credits rather than retained as profit. The cooperative is governed by a nine-member elected Board of Directors representing geographic districts, and membership is acquired through new member onboarding, service area growth, and community engagement rather than competitive sales. The company operates a single office in Brainerd with no external parent ownership or private equity involvement.

Name

Crow Wing Power

Legal name

Crow Wing Power

Website

https://cwpower.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Crow Wing Power is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative founded in 1937 in Brainerd, Minnesota, serving approximately 48,542 members across a three-county service territory in north central Minnesota through 5,607 miles of power lines. It distributes ~650 million kWh annually via Basin Electric wholesale supply, offering SmartHub, load management programs, capital credits, and community benefit programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Distribution Services

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

• Electric distribution services
• Rural electric cooperative
• Load management programs
• Demand response programs
• Energy efficiency rebates

Headquarters

HQ city

Brainerd

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Service: Crow Wing Power generates revenue through electricity distribution fees charged to its 40,000+ members. The cooperative purchases wholesale power from Basin Electric Power Cooperative (transitioning from Great River Energy) and distributes it across 5,607 miles of power lines to serve members in the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota.
2. Capital Credits: Operating margins (revenues exceeding costs) are allocated back to members as capital credits rather than distributed as profits. The Board retires capital credits 15-20 years after allocation, returning them to members as bill credits or checks.
3. Co-op Connections Program: Member benefit program providing discounts at local and national businesses. While not directly revenue-generating, the program drives member retention and engagement with the cooperative model.
4. Operation Round-Up Charitable Giving: Voluntary program where members round up electric bills to nearest dollar (avg 50 cents/month). Funds administered by a separate trust board for community charitable giving. Not direct revenue but supports community relations and member engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Crow Wing Power is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative that distributes electricity purchased from Basin Electric Power Cooperative to 40,000+ residential, commercial, and agricultural members across 5,607 miles of power line in north central Minnesota. The cooperative supplements core electric service with load management demand response programs, energy efficiency rebates, capital credits profit-sharing, member discount programs, and community investment initiatives.

Product overview

Crow Wing Power is an electric distribution cooperative serving 40,000 members in north central Minnesota, operating as a single unified cooperative that provides electric service delivery rather than a technology platform. The cooperative's core member-facing products center on SmartHub (online/mobile account management portal), Load Control Programs (including Dual Fuel, AC Control, and Water Heating demand response), and Capital Credits (member profit-sharing). Supplementary member benefits include Co-op Connections (discount program), Operation Round-Up (charitable giving), and various rebate/incentive programs for energy efficiency, electric vehicles, renewables, and heating system replacements. The cooperative also offers economic development financing and scholarship programs as community investment initiatives. SmartHub serves as the central digital portal connecting members to billing, payments, and account services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartHub: Member portal for bill payment and account management

Products and services

• SmartHub Member Portal and Mobile App Online and mobile platform enabling members to view accounts, pay bills, report outages, track energy usage, vote in director elections, and access cooperative information.
• Load Control Programs Demand response programs that curtail electric heat, air conditioning, irrigation, and water heaters during high demand times to reduce power costs. Includes Dual Fuel, AC Control, Irrigation, and Water Heating programs used by approximately 30% of members.
• Dual Fuel Program Load management program requiring automatic non-electric backup heat source where eligible electric thermal storage heating systems connect to a dedicated meter for cost-saving off-peak rates.
• Capital Credits Program Cooperative profit-sharing program where operating margins are allocated back to members based on electricity usage, typically returned 15-20 years after allocation as bill credits or checks.
• Co-op Connections Member benefit program offering discounts at over 100 local businesses and national retailers, including pharmacy savings up to 60% at 60,000 pharmacies nationwide.
• Operation Round-Up Charitable giving program where members' bills are rounded up to the nearest dollar (averaging 50 cents/month), with funds distributed to local non-profit organizations and community programs through a volunteer trust board.
• Steffes Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) Heater Replacement Program Program to replace aging Steffes ETS heating systems that have reached 20+ years old with newer, more efficient off-peak heating models.
• Economic Development Loans Gap and low-interest financing programs for area manufacturers and retail businesses utilizing RUS Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, having lent $6.4 million to 36 businesses with $826,000 current revolving loan fund.
• Residential Energy Rebates Rebate programs for residential members including cooling, heating, water heating upgrades and energy efficiency improvements; $172,390 in residential rebates provided to members.
• Electric Vehicles Program Programs and resources supporting electric vehicle adoption including charging options and rebates for residential and commercial members.
• Renewables Program Programs supporting renewable energy adoption and integration for residential and commercial members.
• Security Lighting Security lighting services for members as a member service offering.
• Scholarship Programs Various scholarship programs for high school seniors from 11+ area high schools, non-traditional students, and lineworker training; $131,925 awarded to 88+ students in 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 650,836,215 kWh sold annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Safari North Wildlife ParkminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026Partner for annual member appreciation event 'Celebrate YOU at the Zoo' providing free admission and activities for Crow Wing Power members and families.
• Basin Electric Power CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasin Electric Power Cooperative is the wholesale power supplier for Crow Wing Power, having transitioned from Great River Energy. The cooperative procures power from Basin Electric for distribution to its 40,000+ members across north central Minnesota.
• Great River Energy (GRE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious wholesale power supplier for Crow Wing Power. Capital credits from GRE are passed through to members who were active during the year credits were earned.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational branding partnership providing access to cooperative network marketing, Co-op Connections program, and cooperative identity resources.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational association representing electric cooperatives. Crow Wing Power participates in NRECA Market Research for member surveys and accesses cooperative network resources and advocacy.
• Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerState association representing Minnesota's nonprofit electric cooperatives. Provides advocacy, education, and cooperative network support for member cooperatives like Crow Wing Power.
• Crow Wing Power Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate credit union providing financial services to Crow Wing Power employees and members. Located at cooperative headquarters.
• People's SecurityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate insurance and security services provider for Crow Wing Power members.
• Cooperative Mineral ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholly-owned subsidiary of Crow Wing Power focused on mineral resource development. Associated with People's Security and Emily Manganese Project.
• Lakes ProudminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional community initiative led by Brainerd Lakes, Crosslake, Pequot Lakes, Cuyuna Lakes, and Nisswa Chambers of Commerce promoting local business support through Buy, Shop, Choose Local campaign.
• Arbor Day FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to provide trees as member appreciation gifts during Annual Meeting, supporting energy-efficient tree planting and community beautification.
• Brainerd Area Economic Development AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization collaborating with Crow Wing Power's economic development lending program for area manufacturers and retail businesses.
• Survey & Ballot SystemsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndependent third-party firm conducting director elections, managing ballot distribution, vote tabulation, and election oversight for Crow Wing Power.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lake Region Electric Cooperative: Minnesota-based rural electric distribution cooperative serving members in the lakes region of west-central Minnesota. Comparable member-owned cooperative with similar load management programs, capital credits allocation, and rural Minnesota service territory.
• Beltrami Electric Cooperative: Electric distribution cooperative serving Beltrami County and surrounding areas in northern Minnesota. Comparable rural cooperative structure with similar member programs, capital credits, and community-focused operation in northern Minnesota.
• Dakota Electric Association: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving Dakota County and surrounding areas in Minnesota. Directly comparable business model with capital credits, load management, and cooperative governance serving a similar member demographic.
• East Central Energy: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving east central Minnesota. Comparable cooperative model with similar load management programs, capital credits, and member benefit offerings across rural Minnesota service territory.
• Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative: Electric distribution cooperative serving the Mille Lacs region of central Minnesota. Directly comparable rural Minnesota cooperative with similar member programs, cooperative governance, and member benefit structures.
• Connexus Energy: Minnesota's largest electric cooperative serving over 145,000 members in the Twin Cities metro and surrounding areas. Comparable as a member-owned distribution cooperative with similar load management programs, capital credits structure, and community investment focus, though larger in scale.
• Runestone Electric Association: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving Douglas County and surrounding areas in west central Minnesota. Comparable rural cooperative business model with similar scale, member programs, and community investment focus.
• Stearns Electric Association: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving Stearns County and surrounding areas in central Minnesota. Comparable Touchstone Energy cooperative with similar load management, capital credits, and community investment programs.
• Itasca-Mantrap Co-op Electrical Association: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving Itasca and surrounding counties in north central Minnesota. Highly comparable rural Minnesota cooperative with similar member base, load control programs, and Touchstone Energy affiliation.
• Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative: Electric distribution cooperative serving the Minnesota River Valley region. Comparable member-owned cooperative with similar capital credits structure, load management programs, and rural Minnesota service territory characteristics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CrowWingPower
• Xx.com/CrowWingPowerCo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crow-wing-power

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Crow Wing Power