Fergus Electric Cooperative

What Fergus Electric Cooperative does

Fergus Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative founded in 1939 and headquartered in Lewistown, Montana. It transmits and distributes electric energy across 14 central Montana counties (Blaine, Cascade, Choteau, Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Meagher, Musselshell, Petroleum, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Treasure, Wheatland, and Yellowstone), serving approximately 7,000+ meters and roughly 3,500-4,000 member-owners across residential, agricultural, and commercial segments. The cooperative operates as a Touchstone Energy member, sources wholesale power from Basin Electric Power Cooperative, and holds affiliation with the Montana Electric Cooperatives' Association (MECA). Physical infrastructure comprises approximately 2,700-4,100 miles of energized line, maintained by 20+ line crew members and three Staking Engineers distributed between Lewistown and Roundup offices.

The cooperative's core technology stack centers on conventional overhead and underground electric distribution assets, supported by a SmartHub member self-service portal (web and mobile) for bill payment, daily usage monitoring, outage reporting with photo and GPS coordinates, and autopay. Additional operational tools include a real-time Outage Map, an automated PCI-compliant Call Capture phone payment system, bidirectional metering enabling the Net Metering Program for member-owned renewable generation up to 25 kW, and a Budget Billing program that smooths seasonal usage variations through annual reconciliation. Safety/compliance participation includes 811 Call Before You Dig via Utilities Underground Location Center (UULC) and Common Ground Alliance (CGA) membership.

The business model is a cost-based cooperative revenue structure with no equity holders. Revenue is collected through monthly electricity bills consisting of a base charge plus usage-based energy charges, supplemented by recurring rental fees for security lighting ($12-$15 per month by fixture type) and ancillary one-time fees (security deposits, disconnects, reconnects, account transfers). Any margins collected in excess of expenses are allocated to members as capital credits based on their electricity purchases and retained as equity for up to 25 years; the Board of Directors approves periodic retirement (payout) of these credits to members. Capital credits unclaimed after 5 years are redirected to charitable and educational programs. Go-to-market is direct distribution through owned infrastructure to member-owners within the franchised service territory, with community engagement via Rural Montana newsletter, scholarship programs, Youth to Washington Essay Contest, and Facebook — there is no traditional sales motion because the cooperative is the monopoly provider in its territory.

Name

Fergus Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Fergus Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Website

https://ferguselectric.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fergus Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution utility founded in 1939, serving roughly 7,000+ meters and 3,500-4,000 member-owners across 14 central Montana counties with approximately 2,700-4,100 miles of energized line.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Electric Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Electric Distribution System Owners (Wires-Only Companies) (EUADABAI), Microgrid & Local Distribution Operators (Campus/Base/Industrial Park DSOs) (EUADABAF)

Keywords

• Electric distribution services
• Member-owned cooperative
• Rural electric utility
• Power line maintenance
• Capital credits program

Headquarters

HQ city

Lewistown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Distribution Service: As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, Fergus Electric operates at cost. Revenue is collected through monthly electricity bills consisting of a base charge plus usage-based energy charges. Any margins (revenues beyond expenses) are allocated to members as capital credits based on their electricity purchases, and may be retired (paid out) when financially prudent per Board decision.
2. Capital Credits: Members' allocated capital credits represent their ownership stake in the cooperative. Retained for up to 25 years as equity for system maintenance and upgrades. When retired by the Board, paid out to members who received service during the designated years.
3. Security Light Rental: Monthly rental fees for security lighting installed on existing meter poles or member property poles. Various wattage options from 57W LED to 250W MV.
4. Fee Charges: One-time fees including security deposits ($260), requested disconnects ($110), delinquent account disconnects ($180), account transfers ($40/$10), and reconnects ($180).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fergus Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit rural electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity across 14 central Montana counties. The cooperative serves residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial member-owners with electricity distribution, member self-service tools, outage management, net metering for renewables, security lighting, budget billing, and energy assistance programs, sourcing wholesale power from Basin Electric Power Cooperative.

Product overview

Fergus Electric Cooperative operates as a member-owned electric utility providing distribution services across 14 central Montana counties. The cooperative offers a unified service architecture centered on electricity distribution supplemented by member-facing digital tools and billing programs. Core offerings include electric service delivery, the SmartHub member portal for account self-service, and an interactive outage map for real-time service status. Add-on programs encompass Budget Billing for predictable monthly payments, Net Metering for renewable energy interconnection, Rental Yard Lights for area security lighting, Energy Assistance Programs including LIHEAP and Energy Share, and multi-channel bill payment options including SmartHub online, Call Capture phone payments, automatic bank draft, and in-person/mail options. These components work together to deliver comprehensive utility services with member self-service capabilities and financial assistance programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartHub Member Portal

Quantifiable outcome

• Millions of dollars returned to members through capital credits retirement program over cooperative history
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Basin Electric Power CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFergus Electric's power supplier providing wholesale electricity. Basin Electric offers a $2,500 scholarship to dependents of Fergus Electric members, demonstrating the partnership's commitment to community development.
• Montana Electric Cooperatives' Association (MECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide association of electric cooperatives. Fergus Electric participates in MECA/FERGUS Scholarship ($1,000 + chance at $500 additional), Youth Tour program, and cooperative network initiatives. MECA logo appears on Rural Montana newsletter.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational consortium of rural electric cooperatives committed to doing business with integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. Fergus Electric is a proud member.
• Utilities Underground Location Center (UULC)minorOthersMembership in UULC ensures compliance with underground infrastructure protection and 811 Call Before You Dig program requirements.
• Common Ground Alliance (CGA)minorOthersOperates the national 811 Call Before You Dig campaign. CGA grew out of U.S. Department of Transportation initiative to prevent infrastructure damage and ensure public safety.
• Stockman Bank, First National Bank, Bank of the RockiesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal banks in Lewistown serve as payment drop-off locations where members can pay their Fergus Electric bills.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. An investor-owned utility serving portions of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming; comparable in serving similar rural customers across overlapping Montana territory but operating under a for-profit, regulated rate-base model rather than a cooperative structure.
• Basin Electric Power Cooperative: Wholesale power supplier and parent G&T cooperative serving Fergus Electric and many other distribution co-ops; comparable as a Touchstone-affiliated cooperative serving the same broader rural Montana/Dakotas member ecosystem, though operating at the generation and transmission level.

Direct peers

• Beartooth Electric Cooperative: A Montana electric cooperative serving south-central counties with similar rural distribution profile, member-owned governance, and Touchstone Energy branding.
• Tongue River Electric Cooperative: A member-owned electric cooperative serving southeastern Montana, offering comparable distribution service, member programs, and Touchstone Energy affiliation to Fergus Electric.
• Southern Montana Electric Generating & Transmission Cooperative: A generation and transmission cooperative serving distribution co-ops across southern Montana; directly comparable as part of the same Basin Electric/MECA network with analogous member service obligations and rural service territory.
• Lower Yellowstone Rural Electric Association: A rural electric cooperative serving eastern Montana and western North Dakota with similar agricultural customer mix, member-owned capital credits model, and cooperative governance structure.
• Mid-Yellowstone Electric Cooperative: A member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving central Montana communities with similar cooperative economics, member programs, and reliance on Basin Electric.
• Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative: A Montana member-owned electric cooperative serving multiple counties in the south-central region, providing distribution service to residential, agricultural, and commercial members with a similar member-owned cooperative model and shared reliance on Basin Electric.
• Big Horn County Electric Cooperative: A rural Montana electric distribution cooperative serving Big Horn County and surrounding areas with a member-owned model, comparable rate structure, and similar reliance on Basin Electric for wholesale power.
• Hill County Electric Cooperative: A Montana rural electric cooperative providing distribution service in north-central Montana with comparable member-owned structure, Touchstone Energy affiliation, and small-scale rural distribution profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ferguselectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fergus-electric-cooperative

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Fergus Electric Cooperative