What Thumb Electric Cooperative does

Thumb Electric Cooperative (TEC) is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving approximately 12,500 accounts across Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties in Michigan's Thumb region. Founded in 1938 with a $2 million Rural Electrification Administration loan that initially electrified 752 farm families, TEC operates 147 miles of transmission lines, over 2,000 miles of distribution lines, and 15 substations from its headquarters at 2231 Main Street in Ubly, Michigan, supported by a warehouse facility in Caro. The cooperative is governed by a 9-member elected board of directors representing the three counties and is staffed by over 30 employees across field operations, engineering, member services, IT, and administration.

Since 2021, TEC has extended its mandate beyond electricity into broadband, operating the TEC Fiber Internet service (offering 500 Mbps at $85/month and 1 Gigabit at $125/month with bundled CommandIQ WiFi management, ProtectIQ security, and ExperienceIQ family controls) and the TEC Wireless Internet service through its wholly-owned Air Advantage subsidiary, which bridges gaps in the fiber footprint. The cooperative monetizes through recurring monthly electric tariffs, recurring fiber and wireless subscriptions, $5 lifetime membership fees, $100 new-service hookup fees, per-foot line extension deposits, and published VoIP phone tariffs, with member accounts managed through the SmartHub online and mobile platform. Complementary offerings include the Thumb Solar installation (a 665-kilowatt system built and operated by DTE Energy on TEC's Caro property in 2015), a Cooperative Youth Tour, USDA rural development program support, and participation in NRECA, MECA, and America's Electric Cooperatives PAC advocacy. The strategic positioning is that of a legacy rural utility leveraging its territorial franchise, community governance model, and 87-year operating history to address the rural digital divide through an owned fiber and wireless buildout.

Name

Thumb Electric Cooperative

Legal name

Thumb Electric Cooperative

Website

https://tecmi.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Thumb Electric Cooperative is a member-owned rural electric cooperative, founded in 1938, serving approximately 12,500 accounts across Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties in Michigan with electric distribution, fiber internet, and wireless broadband.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Electric distribution
• Fiber internet
• Rural broadband
• Utility cooperative
• VoIP phone services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ubly

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Service: Recurring monthly charges for electricity distribution to approximately 12,500 member accounts across Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties. Includes connection fees, usage-based charges, and various tariff rates.
2. Fiber Internet Service: Monthly subscription plans for high-speed fiber internet (500 Mbps at $85/month, 1 Gigabit at $125/month). Includes managed WiFi, security features, and local support. Available to both members and non-members.
3. Wireless Internet Service: Monthly subscription for wireless internet through subsidiary Air Advantage, provided in areas where fiber is not yet available.
4. Membership Fees: One-time $5 membership fee for cooperative members. Members gain voting rights, access to rebates and programs, and participate in cooperative governance.
5. Service Connection Fees: One-time hookup fees ($100) and line extension fees (per foot for overhead and underground extensions) for new electric service connections.
6. VoIP Phone Services: Voice over IP phone service with published tariffs for pricing and policies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Thumb Electric Cooperative distributes electricity to approximately 12,500 member accounts across Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties in rural Michigan and sells high-speed fiber internet (500 Mbps and 1 Gig plans), wireless internet via its Air Advantage subsidiary, VoIP phone service, and managed account access through its SmartHub platform.

Product overview

Thumb Electric Cooperative (TEC) is a member-owned utility cooperative offering a portfolio of essential services to rural Michigan communities. The core offerings include electric distribution services serving approximately 12,500 member accounts across Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties, and high-speed TEC Fiber Internet launched in 2021. These are supported by the SmartHub platform for account management, wireless internet via subsidiary Air Advantage for areas not yet served by fiber, VoIP phone services, and renewable energy programs including the Thumb Solar installation. TEC Fiber plans include built-in management and security tools (CommandIQ®, ProtectIQ®, ExperienceIQ™), while the SmartHub platform enables billing, payments, usage monitoring, and outage reporting across electric and fiber services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TEC Fiber: High-speed fiber internet service for homes and businesses across Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties.
• TEC Wireless Internet

Products and services

• Electric Services Reliable electricity distribution service to homes and businesses across Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties, served by 147 miles of transmission lines, over 2,000 miles of distribution lines, and 15 substations.
• TEC Fiber Internet High-speed fiber internet service offering plans up to 1 Gigabit speeds with included CommandIQ WiFi management, ProtectIQ security, and ExperienceIQ family controls. Available to both members and non-members.
• TEC Wireless Internet

Quantifiable outcome

• Started with 752 farm families in 1938, now serves approximately 12,500 member accounts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DTE EnergycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015DTE Energy built and operates the 665-kilowatt Thumb Solar installation on TEC's property in Caro, Michigan. This collaboration allows TEC to support renewable energy initiatives while offering educational opportunities for local schools and community groups.
• Air AdvantagecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAir Advantage is TEC's subsidiary that provides wireless internet service in areas where fiber is not yet available. This partnership allows TEC to serve customers immediately in areas planned for future fiber expansion, with seamless transition options when fiber becomes available.
• America's Electric Cooperatives PACminorOthersNational political action committee established in 1966 that supports candidates who champion policies benefiting electric cooperatives and their members at state and federal levels. TEC participates to advocate for rural energy interests.
• Michigan Electric Cooperative Association (MECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association representing electric cooperatives in Michigan. TEC is a member and participates in legislative advocacy, shares best practices, and stays informed on statewide energy policy issues affecting rural utilities.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational service organization representing America's electric cooperatives. Founded America's Electric Cooperatives PAC in 1966. Provides resources, advocacy, and support for electric cooperatives across the country.
• Huron County Economic Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic development organization supporting business attraction, expansion, and job creation in Huron County. TEC works with EDCs across all three counties to support rural development initiatives.
• Sanilac County Economic Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic development organization supporting business attraction, expansion, and job creation in Sanilac County.
• Tuscola County Economic Development CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic development organization supporting business attraction, expansion, and job creation in Tuscola County.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Midwest Energy Cooperative: Michigan/Indiana electric cooperative providing electric distribution, natural gas, and broadband services; comparable member-owned utility with diversified energy and connectivity offerings.
• Cherryland Electric Cooperative: Michigan-based electric cooperative serving Grand Traverse region with electric distribution and fiber broadband (Elk Rapids-based network); similar cooperative model, scale, and dual electric+broadband strategy.
• Great Lakes Energy Cooperative: Michigan member-owned electric cooperative serving rural counties with electric distribution and Propane/Connect broadband services; directly comparable to TEC on member-owned rural electric utility model and broadband diversification.
• HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative: Michigan member-owned rural electric cooperative offering electric service and fiber broadband (Mecuria/Accel+) to rural members; matches TEC's coop structure, dual electric+broadband offering, and rural Michigan footprint.
• Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op: Michigan electric and natural gas cooperative serving rural Northeast Michigan; similar member-owned, multi-service rural utility structure to TEC.
• Alger-Delta Cooperative Electric Association: Michigan member-owned electric cooperative serving the Upper Peninsula with electric distribution and fixed wireless broadband (Alger-Delta Wireless); comparable rural cooperative model with broadband expansion.

Broad incumbents

• Spectrum (Charter Communications): Large incumbent broadband ISP with cable/fiber footprint in Michigan including portions of the Thumb region; competes with TEC Fiber for residential broadband subscribers.
• Consumers Energy: Michigan's largest investor-owned utility serving electricity and natural gas across the state; broad incumbent with overlapping geographic territory and regulatory exposure to TEC.
• DTE Energy: Investor-owned Michigan utility partner (built/operates Thumb Solar) and Michigan's largest electric provider; broader portfolio overlap and incumbent in Michigan electricity supply chain.

Emerging players

• Consolidated Communications: Rural-focused broadband and fiber provider across Michigan and other states; competes with TEC Fiber in adjacent rural Michigan markets and is a comparable rural fiber ISP.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thumbelectric
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thumb-electric-cooperative

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Thumb Electric Cooperative