At Dixie Electric, we are fortunate to serve over 30,000 members with reliable and affordable electricity. We appreciate your continued support and engagement, and we believe in keeping you informed about important decisions and changes within our organization.
In 2017, Dixie Electric launched the Co-op Connections program locally to its members. Co-op Connections is a national free membership program offering exclusive national and local discounts to members of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. The program was designed to drive revenue for small businesses while also offering cooperative members an added layer of value to their membership through discounts on everyday expenses.
In exchange for an exclusive discount to Dixie Electric members, participating small businesses received free advertising on social media and the Today in Mississippi magazine. The Co-op Connections Program has been a valuable initiative that allowed our members to access discounts and special offers from local businesses in our community. However, as all of you have faced challenges over the last several years, our industry has also not been immune. After much thoughtful consideration and evaluation, we have decided to conclude our participation in the Co-op Connections program. Over the years, our membership with Touchstone Energy has provided us with valuable resources, but, as we look towards the future and consider the best path to serve our members, we believe this decision is necessary.
One of the primary reasons for discontinuing our participation in the Co-op Connections Program is the rising cost associated with printing the Co-op Connections cards. These costs have continued to increase significantly over the years, and we believe that reallocating these resources toward other community initiatives will have a more significant and lasting impact on our membership.
Additionally, and most importantly, our ability to effectively advertise for our small businesses through our various digital and media platforms has been reduced, making the program less valuable to the participating business owner/operator.
We want to assure you that we remain committed to supporting our local community and businesses. While we are concluding our participation in the Co-op Connections program, we are actively exploring alternative ways to connect our members with local businesses and enhance the overall member experience.
Once again, we thank you for your ongoing support of Dixie Electric. We value your membership and look forward to continuing to serve you in the years to come.