Jackson Electric Cooperative is operated on a not-for-profit basis. Because we are "owned by those we serve," Jackson Electric has always been service-driven. We are not motivated by the potential for profits. Electric cooperatives, unlike investor-owned utilities, do not have stockholders that must be paid a return. In other words, the price to obtain services and products from the cooperative are cost based and are kept as low as possible.

Of course, in order to be fiscally responsible in its operation, the cooperative needs working capital and a cushion of "margins." The margins will be distributed later through our system of Capital Credits.

Each member in the cooperative is assigned an individual Capital Credit account. At year end, any margin is divided among the members according to their patronage with the cooperative. You will receive a notice of your Capital Credit allocation each year.

Jackson Electric Cooperative operates on a 20-year revolving cycle for distribution of Capital Credit patronage refunds. It is important to understand that during those 20 years, the money is constantly working for your cooperative. It strengthens the organization by supplying working capital and helps reduce the financing debt.

Since 1965, Jackson Electric Cooperative has paid out more than $6,011,194 in Capital Credits to members, former members and the estates of deceased members.

Keep Your Address Current
As you can imagine, maintaining address files for 20 years is a tremendous undertaking. Each year, there are many former members for whom we cannot find a current address. We seek your assistance in keeping our files up-to-date, so these members can receive the Capital Credits to which they are entitled. If we are unable to locate these individuals or their heirs, the Capital Credit allocation will be handled as a forfeiture, subject to unclaimed property law.

If you move off our lines, please notify us of your address change, and any subsequent address changes. We also ask the heirs of Jackson Electric Cooperative members, or former members, to contact our office for settlement to the estate for any outstanding accrual of Capital Credits.

What Happens to Forfeited Capital Credits?
After retaining the checks for three years, the cooperative must turn them over to the State of Wisconsin as unclaimed property. However, in doing so, the cooperative may exercise an option to stipulate the funds be given to a nonprofit organization. Jackson Electric has chosen the latter option, sending this money to the Federated Youth Foundation to provide scholarship funds.