What is a Cooperative?

Powering Communities, Together

Minnesota is home to 50 electric cooperatives, and there are more than 900 electric co-ops across the country. But co-ops aren’t limited to the utility world. You’ll find the cooperative model powering success at familiar names like Ace Hardware, Land O’Lakes, Sunkist, FTD, and AgStar. From agriculture and food production to retail and finance, cooperatives thrive wherever people choose to work together for mutual benefit.

The Cooperative Difference

Locally owned and operated.
Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative isn’t run by outside investors—it’s owned by you, our member-owners. That means our priorities are shaped by local needs, not shareholder profits. You’re more than a customer—you’re part of our cooperative family.

Members come first.
MVEC exists to serve, not to profit. Every decision we make centers on providing reliable, affordable electricity and delivering the best possible experience for our members.

Rooted in our communities.
We live and work right here, too. MVEC proudly invests time, energy, and resources into strengthening the communities we serve—because when our members thrive, we all do.

The Seven Cooperative Principles