Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative

What Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative does

Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative (GMEC, DBA) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative founded in 1938 and headquartered at 17 S. Liberty St., New Concord, Ohio. The cooperative provides electricity distribution and related energy services to approximately 17,148 member accounts across Guernsey and Muskingum counties in east-central Ohio, segmented into residential and commercial members. Its core technology is a two-way Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deployed across all member endpoints in August 2024, enabling real-time meter reading, outage detection, and energy usage monitoring via radio frequency; the data feeds the third-party hosted SmartHub member portal for online bill payment and usage tracking.

The cooperative's product surface extends beyond distribution into energy efficiency and load management: geothermal heating/cooling recommendations and rebates, dual-fuel heat pump rebates ($300), AC efficiency rebates, Radio Controlled Switch (RCS) load control dating to 1974, the GenerLink transfer-switch safety device and associated Generator Program, Home Energy Audits, a voluntary Peak Alert demand-reduction program, and EnviroWatts renewable energy options. It also maintains a 40-foot right-of-way vegetation management program to reduce outage frequency. Distribution is direct-to-member via the local office, phone, and SmartHub, with no third-party resellers.

GMEC's business model is subscription-style recurring electric utility revenue through member rates, governed by Ohio cooperative regulation, with surplus returned to members as capital credits. It participates in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives national branding alliance and engages members through Ohio Cooperative Living magazine, 4H programs, scholarships, and Youth Tour community initiatives. No public revenue figures, funding rounds, M&A activity, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Name

Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Guernsey Muskingum Electric Cooperative

Website

https://gmenergy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative founded in 1938 that delivers electricity to approximately 17,148 residential and commercial members across Guernsey and Muskingum counties, Ohio, supported by AMI smart meter infrastructure and the SmartHub member portal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Utility-Integrated Distributed Energy Resources (DER) & Non-Wires Alternatives (EUACALAF)

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Electricity distribution
• Advanced metering infrastructure
• Energy efficiency programs
• Load management programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New Concord

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Utility Service: Member-owned not-for-profit electric cooperative providing electricity distribution to residential and commercial members. Revenue generated through electricity rates and service fees, with capital credits returned to members.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative that provides electricity and related energy services to approximately 17,148 residential and commercial member accounts across Guernsey and Muskingum counties in Ohio. Its core offering includes reliable electricity distribution, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) deployed across all member meters in August 2024, the SmartHub member portal for billing and usage monitoring, and supporting load management, energy efficiency, and generator safety programs.

Product overview

Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric utility serving Guernsey and Muskingum counties, Ohio, providing electricity to approximately 17,148 member accounts. The cooperative's product portfolio centers on its Advanced Meters (AMI) infrastructure — a completed 2024 deployment replacing all member meters with two-way digital devices that power the SmartHub member portal for billing and usage management. Ancillary offerings include load management programs (Radio Controlled Switches, Peak Alert), energy efficiency services (geothermal, air conditioning, dual fuel, water heaters, home energy audits), generator safety through GenerLink, and tree right-of-way maintenance. The cooperative also publishes Ohio Cooperative Living magazine to members and organizes youth programs and scholarships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartHub: Online bill pay and energy usage tracking platform for members

Products and services

• SmartHub Member Portal A member-facing web and mobile portal enabling bill payment, energy usage viewing, and outage reporting for cooperative members. Integrated as a third-party hosted solution (smarthub.coop).
• Advanced Meters (AMI) Digital smart meters deployed across all 17,148 member accounts enabling automatic two-way readings, real-time usage data in monthly/daily/hourly formats, faster outage detection, and improved power quality monitoring.
• Generator Program A program assisting members in selecting and safely connecting backup generators, including GenerLink safety switch installation.
• GenerLink Safety Device A transfer switch safety device installed at no cost allowing portable generators to safely power a home without backfeed risk during outages.
• Geothermal Energy Efficiency Service Geothermal heating and cooling system recommendations, rebates, and installation support for members seeking energy-efficient alternatives.
• Air Conditioning Efficiency Program AC efficiency programs and rebates for members, integrated with the Radio Controlled Switch load management program.
• Dual Fuel Rebate Program A $300 rebate for installing an add-on heat pump to an existing fossil-fuel furnace, with mandatory radio-controlled switches on water heater and heat pump.
• Radio Controlled Switches (RCS) Load Management Program A load management program that allows the co-op to temporarily interrupt power to water heaters, heat pumps, AC, or geothermal systems during peak demand periods via radio signal.
• Home Energy Audit In-home energy assessments helping members identify savings opportunities in their energy consumption.
• Right-of-Way Maintenance System-wide tree pruning, removal, cutting, mowing, and spraying program maintaining 40-foot easements to reduce outages and blinks caused by vegetation contact.
• Peak Alert Demand-Side Management Voluntary demand reduction program targeting peak usage periods in extreme temperatures to help control costs; distinct from rolling power outages which address supply issues.
• Safety Demonstrations Free electrical safety demonstrations presented by Member Services to schools, clubs, and organizations using tabletop models.
• Water Heaters Efficiency Program Programs and recommendations for energy-efficient water heating options for members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Faster outage response through real-time meter connectivity
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational brand partnership providing cooperative identity and marketing resources. Cooperative displays Touchstone Energy branding on website and materials.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AEP Ohio: Investor-owned utility subsidiary of American Electric Power serving a large portion of Ohio with electric distribution and supply. Comparable in core service (electric distribution) but broader geographic footprint, regulated IOU model, and corporate ownership rather than member-owned.
• FirstEnergy (Ohio Edison / Illuminating Company): Investor-owned utility serving large portions of Ohio through Ohio Edison and The Illuminating Company. Comparable regulated electric distribution business but operates at much greater scale across urban/suburban territories.
• Duke Energy Ohio: Investor-owned utility serving southwest Ohio (Cincinnati region) with electric distribution and generation. Provides an incumbent comparison point for AMI deployment, demand response, and Ohio regulatory dynamics relevant to GMEC.

Others

• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA): National trade association representing approximately 900+ U.S. electric cooperatives including GMEC. Adjacent ecosystem participant providing advocacy, training, and shared services; comparable as the institutional framework within which GMEC operates.

Direct peers

• Consolidated Electric Cooperative: Member-owned electric distribution cooperative operating in central/southeastern Ohio with AMI, member services, and load management. Direct co-op peer with similar scale and program mix.
• South Central Power Company: Ohio member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving parts of central and southern Ohio with comparable residential/commercial members. Closely comparable in business model (member-owned co-op, Touchstone affiliation), service profile (AMI, demand response, energy efficiency programs), and rural/small-town service territory mix.
• Holmes-Wayne Electric Cooperative: Ohio Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative serving Holmes and Wayne counties with a similar member-owned model, AMI rollout, and energy efficiency programs. Directly comparable operating footprint, scale tier, and customer base.
• Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative: Ohio Touchstone Energy distribution cooperative in northwest Ohio offering electricity distribution, AMI, and member efficiency programs. Comparable rural service territory and cooperative governance model.
• Buckeye Power: Generation and transmission cooperative that supplies wholesale power to Ohio's distribution electric cooperatives including GMEC. Highly relevant upstream peer because GMEC depends on Buckeye Power for generation supply.
• Midwest Electric Cooperative: Ohio rural electric distribution cooperative serving northwest Ohio with member-owned cooperative structure, AMI metering, and demand-side programs. Comparable in size, geography, and service offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GuernseyMuskingumElectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/guernsey-muskingum-electric-cooperative-inc.

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 Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative