Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative

What Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative does

Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (HOEC) is a private, member-owned electric distribution cooperative headquartered at 6327 US-63 S, West Plains, Missouri, serving over 25,000 members across south-central Missouri, including the communities of Alton, Bakersfield, Eminence, Willow Springs, and West Plains. Founded within the Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI) wholesale generation framework established in 1962 in Springfield, Missouri, HOEC distributes electricity sourced from coal, natural gas, hydro, and wind generation. The cooperative is governed by a board elected from the membership and operates under cooperative principles, allocating margins back to members through patronage capital retirements rather than distributing profit to shareholders.

HOEC's core technology consists of physical distribution infrastructure (poles, lines, transformers, meters) layered with the SmartHub digital platform supplied by the National Information Solutions Cooperative, which provides a web portal and mobile app for bill viewing, bill payment, outage reporting, usage monitoring, and two-factor authentication-enabled account management. A 24/7 dispatch center handles outage response, and an interactive Outages Map (powered by AMEC) provides real-time visibility across the service territory. The Peak Alert Program supplements grid management through member-facing demand reduction communications broadcast via SmartHub, local radio, Facebook, and the company website.

The business model combines recurring monthly electric distribution service fees — including a service availability charge covering infrastructure costs — with ancillary revenue from Meter Treater surge protection subscriptions ($4.95/month), LED outdoor lighting sales ($325-$1,340 per fixture), emergency weather radios, service installation fees ($120), after-hours connection fees ($125), and membership/meter deposits ($60-$250). Energy efficiency rebates (up to $750 for weatherization, plus incentives for heat pumps, thermostats, insulation, and water heaters) and a $50 Home Energy Audit offered jointly with Ozark Action Inc. are funded by the cooperative and reinforce the core distribution revenue. Go-to-market is direct-to-member through the West Plains business office, telephone, and the SmartHub self-serve channel, with member acquisition occurring passively via cooperative membership in the service territory rather than active sales motion.

Name

Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Website

https://hoecoop.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative (HOEC) is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving over 25,000 residential and small commercial members across south-central Missouri, distributing AECI-sourced power and delivering service through physical infrastructure, a 24/7 dispatch center, and the SmartHub digital platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution Services

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Customer Energy Engagement (In-Home Displays, Portals, Usage Insights) (EUADAFAH), Interconnection, Permitting & Grid Services for DERs (EUAMAJAH)

Keywords

• Electric utility distribution
• Member-owned cooperative
• Energy efficiency rebates
• Outage management services
• Demand response programs

Headquarters

HQ city

West Plains

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Service Fees: Monthly electric distribution service fees charged to members for power availability, including Service Availability monthly fee to recover costs of poles, lines, transformers, meters, and billing.
2. Surge Protection Services: Meter base surge protectors offered at $4.95 per month with 15-year warranty covering major appliances.
3. Outdoor Lighting Sales: LED outdoor lighting fixtures sold to members, with pricing from $325 for head-only to $1,340 for light with 35-foot pole installation.
4. Service Fees and Deposits: Membership and meter deposits ($60-$250 depending on credit), service installation fees ($120), and after-hours connection fees ($125).
5. Energy Efficiency Rebates: Various rebate programs for home improvements including weatherization (up to $750), heat pumps, and smart thermostats, funded by cooperative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative distributes electricity and provides member energy services to over 25,000 member-owners across south-central Missouri through poles, lines, transformers, and meters, with wholesale power sourced via Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI). Core member-facing capabilities include the SmartHub web and mobile platform for billing, outage reporting, and usage monitoring, a 24/7 dispatch system, an interactive Outages Map, and the Peak Alert demand-response program. Value-added offerings include Home Energy Audits, energy efficiency rebates (weatherization up to $750, heat pumps, smart thermostats, insulation), Meter Treater surge protection, outdoor LED lighting, and emergency weather radios.

Product overview

Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative (HOEC) is a member-driven electric utility providing energy and value-added services to over 25,000 members in south-central Missouri. The cooperative operates as a single integrated utility rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. Core services include electricity distribution through Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. (AECI), SmartHub web and mobile app for account management and outage reporting, an interactive outages map, and the Peak Alert demand reduction program. Value-added services include Home Energy Audits with weatherization rebates (up to $750), various energy efficiency rebates (thermostats, heat pumps, water heaters, insulation), Meter Treater surge protection ($4.95/month), outdoor LED lighting sales and installation, emergency weather radios, line clearing/right-of-way maintenance, and youth programs (Youth Tour Washington D.C. trip and CYCLE leadership conference). HOEC also supports residential renewable energy through solar and wind resources with required co-generation agreements for grid-connected systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartHub Web and Mobile App Online and mobile platform enabling members to view electric bills, report power outages, view electric usage, and manage their accounts. Features two-factor authentication (2FA) for enhanced account security. Powered by National Information Solutions Cooperative.
• Outages Map Interactive real-time map showing current power outages across HOEC's service territory, powered by AMEC, enabling members to view outage status.
• Home Energy Audit Comprehensive home energy assessment conducted by Ozark Action Inc. in conjunction with HOEC, including blower door test, insulation R-factor assessment, hot water pipe wrapping, and HVAC inspection. Members can receive up to $750 reimbursement (50% of qualified improvement costs) upon completing recommended improvements. $50 fee per audit.
• Energy Efficiency Rebates Rebate program portfolio including Home Energy Audit Weatherization (50% up to $750), Advanced Thermostat (50% up to $50), Ductless Mini-Split ($150 per unit), Dual Fuel Air Source Heat Pump ($500/ton new, $300/ton replacement), Ground Source Heat Pump ($350/ton new, $150/ton replacement), Heat Pump Water Heater (50% up to $750), and Basement/Crawl Space Insulation (50% up to $500 with ground source heat pump).
• Meter Treater Surge Protection Meter base surge protector service offered by Meter Treater Inc. covering major household appliances, provided at $4.95 per month with a 15-year warranty.
• Outdoor LED Lighting Energy-efficient LED outdoor lighting fixtures available for purchase by members, including Cooper Caretaker 2 LED 70W lights with various pole installation options ranging from $325 (head only) to $1,340 (35 ft pole installation).
• Emergency Weather Radios NOAA emergency weather radio receivers available for purchase, including Midland WR120 and WR400 models, with broadcasts regional to the HOEC service area from towers outside West Plains, Summersville, Gainesville, and Alton.
• Line Clearing / Right-of-Way Program Tree-trimming and vegetation management program for utility easements to ensure reliable electric service, prevent outages, and maintain safety near power lines.
• Peak Alert Program Demand reduction initiative notifying members via radio, website, Facebook, and SmartHub when peak electricity demand may occur, typically summer afternoons (2-7 PM) and winter mornings (5-9 AM) to help control collective peak demand and keep electricity costs down.
• Level Billing Program Payment program that averages a member's annual electrical costs to provide consistent monthly payments, helping with budget management.
• Automatic Bank Draft Free automatic payment service that deducts the monthly electric bill directly from a member's bank account on the due date.

Quantifiable outcome

• Weatherization rebates up to $750 for members who complete energy audit-recommended improvements
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1962AECI was formed in 1962 in Springfield, Missouri to generate wholesale power supply for all Missouri distribution cooperatives. HOEC distributes electricity that comes from AECI's diverse mix of generation resources including coal, natural gas, hydro power, and wind. This is a foundational partnership for HOEC's core business operations.
• SmartHub (by National Information Solutions Cooperative)coreTechnology or IntegrationSmartHub provides the digital platform for HOEC's member services including bill viewing, payment processing, outage reporting, and usage monitoring. Members access SmartHub via web portal and mobile app.
• Missouri Job Center - West PlainsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMissouri Job Center handles recruiting for HOEC. Job seekers apply through the Job Center for positions at the cooperative.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Cooperative Energy (Mississippi): Member-owned G&T electric cooperative serving distribution co-ops in Mississippi. Comparable in cooperative structure and wholesale-to-distribution model, though geographically distinct.
• Ozarks Electric Cooperative (Arkansas): Distribution electric cooperative serving northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. Comparable business model and rural service profile, with overlap in geography across the broader Ozarks region.

Direct peers

• Sho-Me Power Electric Cooperative: Missouri-based G&T cooperative serving distribution co-ops. Directly comparable as a peer Missouri electric cooperative with overlapping member-base geography and similar cooperative governance.
• Ozark Electric Cooperative (Missouri): Member-owned distribution cooperative serving parts of southern Missouri. Comparable as a rural Missouri electric co-op with similar product set (distribution, surge protection, rebates, broadband pilots).
• White River Valley Electric Cooperative: Southwest Missouri distribution electric cooperative serving members across multiple counties. Comparable in business model, scale, rural Missouri service territory, and value-added member services.
• SEMO Electric Cooperative: Distribution electric cooperative in southeast Missouri serving residential and commercial members. Closely comparable to HOEC as a member-owned distribution co-op of similar scale and rural Missouri service profile.

Broad incumbents

• Pedernales Electric Cooperative: One of the largest member-owned electric distribution cooperatives in the U.S. (Texas Hill Country). Comparable as a large-scale distribution co-op with similar member-services program design, though materially larger.
• Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI): Generation-and-transmission (G&T) cooperative that supplies HOEC's wholesale power. Comparable as another Missouri-based electric cooperative operating at a different tier of the cooperative electricity value chain.
• Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Large G&T cooperative supplying distribution electric co-ops across multiple states. Comparable as a wholesale power supplier for cooperative distribution utilities like HOEC.

Others

• National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC): Provider of SmartHub and other IT/billing platforms used by HOEC and hundreds of other electric cooperatives. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler and shared-service partner for cooperative utilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/howell-oregon-electric-cooperative-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative