Itasca-Mantrap

What Itasca-Mantrap does

Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit distribution electric cooperative founded in 1939 and headquartered in Park Rapids, Minnesota. It delivers electricity to residential, commercial, and large power members within a defined rural Minnesota service territory, holding exclusive franchise distribution rights over that geography. Wholesale power is sourced primarily from Great River Energy (GRE), a generation and transmission cooperative, with supplemental federal hydroelectric power from Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). Wholesale supply represents roughly 66-69% of annual operating expense, creating a cost structure highly exposed to upstream rate changes; GRE projected an 8.5% wholesale increase for 2025 and additional increases over the subsequent three-year horizon.

The cooperative's core technology footprint consists of Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) providing two-way metering and detailed usage data; the SmartHub online and mobile portal for billing, account management, and outage reporting; a real-time outage map; multi-channel outage communication (phone, SMS, app); and load management programs that use radio-controlled switches to cycle residential water heaters and air conditioners during peak periods. Revenue is generated through metered electricity sales across three primary rate classes (residential, commercial, large power) plus a usage-based off-peak storage heat class and load-management credits. Member-facing add-ons include rebates for ENERGY STAR appliances, heat pumps, water heaters, EV chargers, and smart thermostats; the SolarWise residential solar enablement program; capital credit allocations (excess-revenue returns unique to cooperative ownership); and ancillary services such as budget billing and Time-of-Use or demand-based billing options under consideration.

Go-to-market is structurally inverted compared to venture-backed software: there is no sales pipeline because customers are captive within the franchise territory and each member is also an owner governed by a board of directors elected from the membership. Member engagement is handled through SmartHub, monthly email newsletters, Facebook updates during outages, and recurring community programs (Powered Up Energy Forum, scholarship, Youth Tour, Operation Round Up, GreenTouch). The cooperative is affiliated with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and the broader Minnesota Electric Cooperatives mutual-aid network, which provides branding, peer resources, and reciprocal line-crew support during events such as Winter Storm Fern.

Name

Itasca-Mantrap

Legal name

Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative

Website

https://itasca-mantrap.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Itasca-Mantrap Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit rural distribution electric cooperative founded in 1939 and headquartered in Park Rapids, Minnesota. It delivers electricity to residential, commercial, and large power members across a defined Minnesota service territory, supported by AMI metering, SmartHub digital account management, and load management programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Park Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Itasca-Mantrap is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative that delivers electricity to residential, commercial, and large power accounts across north-central Minnesota, sourced via wholesale supply from Great River Energy and WAPA. Beyond basic distribution, it offers AMI-enabled metering, load management and energy efficiency programs, member rebates (e.g., solar, EV, water heaters, HVAC), and a SmartHub digital portal for billing, payments, outage reporting, and account management.

Product overview

Itasca-Mantrap is an electric cooperative serving members in Minnesota, offering electricity distribution along with a portfolio of energy management products and member services. The core offering is electricity delivery supported by SmartHub (a member account management portal), Advanced Meter Infrastructure, and Load Management Programs. Add-on services include Rebates for energy-efficient equipment (appliances, EV chargers, water heaters, heat pumps, smart thermostats), SolarWise for solar guidance, Electric Vehicles support, Renewable Energy programs, Billing Services, and Capital Credits (as a cooperative, returning excess revenues to members). The company also provides Safety Services (Call Before You Dig, generator safety, surge protection) and participates in Touchstone Energy Cooperatives partnership. The cooperative is wholesale-power-supplied by Great River Energy and WAPA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartHub Member Portal Digital self-service portal for residential and commercial members of the cooperative to manage electric service accounts, billing, payments, and outage reporting online and via mobile.
• Residential Electric Service Electric distribution and supply service for member households in north-central Minnesota, billed under residential rate schedules with periodic rate adjustments.
• Commercial Electric Service Electric distribution and supply service for small commercial accounts in the cooperative's service territory, billed under a commercial rate schedule distinct from residential rates.
• Large Power Electric Service Higher-capacity electric distribution and supply service for large commercial, industrial, and seasonal accounts, billed under a Large Power rate schedule that incorporates demand/capacity charges.
• Load Management / Demand-Response Program Member-facing demand-response and load control program offering controlled/interruptible service options in exchange for lower electric rates, supporting peak-load management for the cooperative.
• Energy Efficiency Rebate Program Cooperative-administered rebates that pay members for installing qualifying energy-efficient and electrification equipment (solar, EV, heat pumps, water heaters, smart thermostats).
• SolarWise Member Solar Program Member-focused distributed solar program that helps cooperative members evaluate, install, and receive rebates for rooftop or on-site solar generation.
• AMI / Smart Meter Service Advanced metering infrastructure providing two-way meters and consumption data to members and the cooperative, enabling remote reading, detailed usage information, and faster outage detection.
• Prepaid / Managed Account Service Optional prepaid or actively managed electricity account offering that allows eligible members to prepay for electric usage or have accounts monitored and managed.
• Capital Credits Program Cooperative patronage program that allocates and retires capital credits (a portion of margins) back to member-owners, with associated processes for unclaimed capital credits.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3,200 annual federal tax credits available for energy efficient home upgrades (30% coverage through 2032)
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Wolf Track EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 August 2025Local solar installation company that presented at Powered Up Energy Forum: Solar Solutions event, providing insight on residential solar adoption process including system design, installation, and grid interconnection.
• Star Energy ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 8 August 2025Solar engineering contractor that presented at Powered Up Energy Forum: Solar Solutions, covering emerging solar technologies and supporting Itasca-Mantrap's renewable energy initiatives.
• Great River EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary wholesale power provider for Itasca-Mantrap; projected 8.5% rate increase for 2025 and additional increases expected over next three years; investing in critical infrastructure to strengthen electric grid and expand future capacity.
• Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal power provider supplying electricity to Itasca-Mantrap; rates influenced by cost of maintaining hydroelectric facilities and transmission systems; announced rate adjustments and energy allocation shortfall for 2025.
• Touchstone Energy CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational brand affiliation of electric cooperatives committed to excellence through integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. Itasca-Mantrap is a member of this cooperative network.
• Minnesota Electric CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 44 electric distribution cooperatives serving 85% of Minnesota. Cooperatives support each other through mutual aid agreements during emergencies such as Winter Storm Fern, with lineworkers and equipment deployed across state lines.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stearns Electric Association: Minnesota electric distribution cooperative with similar rural/small-town service territory and member-owned structure. Comparable in scale, SmartHub digital platform use, demand response programs, and Great River Energy wholesale supply relationship.
• Runestone Electric Association: Minnesota electric distribution cooperative serving rural and small-town members west of Itasca-Mantrap. Comparable member-owned model, rate structure, AMI/load management programs, and Great River Energy wholesale supply relationship.
• Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association: Touchstone Energy–affiliated Minnesota electric distribution cooperative offering similar residential and commercial service, AMI, and energy efficiency programs. Directly comparable member-owned distribution model and member service platform approach.
• Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services: Southern Minnesota electric distribution cooperative with comparable cooperative structure, residential and commercial rate offerings, AMI deployment, and demand-side management programs.
• East Central Energy: Minnesota electric distribution cooperative serving members in east-central Minnesota. Directly comparable as a Touchstone Energy–affiliated co-op with similar member services, AMI deployment, and wholesale power sourced from Great River Energy.
• Connexus Energy: Minnesota member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving residential, commercial, and industrial members. Highly comparable in cooperative structure, retail distribution model, energy efficiency programs, and use of SmartHub-style digital member platforms.
• Dakota Electric Association: Minnesota member-owned electric cooperative providing distribution services and energy programs. Comparable in cooperative governance, residential/commercial rate classes, AMI modernization, and rebate/energy efficiency offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Minnesota Power (ALLETE): Investor-owned electric utility serving northern and central Minnesota. Operates in overlapping Minnesota service territory with generation, transmission, and distribution; comparable in end-customer electricity delivery but differs in ownership structure (IOU vs. cooperative) and scale.
• Xcel Energy (Minnesota operations): Large investor-owned utility with significant Minnesota electric distribution operations. Comparable in electric distribution and customer energy programs, but operates as a multi-state IOU with materially greater scale, generation ownership, and capital access than Itasca-Mantrap.
• Great River Energy: Minnesota generation-and-transmission cooperative that is Itasca-Mantrap's primary wholesale power supplier. A peer in the cooperative energy ecosystem and a key counterparty whose rate-setting directly drives Itasca-Mantrap's economics; also operates across a much broader portfolio of generation assets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/itascamantrap
• Facebookfacebook.com/IMElectricCoop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/itasca-mantrap-cooperative-electrical-association

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 Itasca-Mantrap