Jackson EMC supports area organizations

Our cooperative helps to make the communities we serve better places to live by providing manpower and financial support for local community and charitable activities and supporting area Chambers of Commerce. Jackson EMC works with Habitat for Humanity, the Regional Science & Engineering Fair, Joint Chambers Business After Hours and Adult Literacy Campaign Programs, just to name a few. We offer safety demonstrations to the community and aid our fellow cooperatives in responding to natural disasters.

Here are a few of Jackson EMC's recent community contributions:

FFA Convention - "Step up, stand out"

Throughout each year, Jackson EMC has many opportunities to support our communities, and one opportunity is supporting our local FFA chapters in our service area.  Some examples are preparing BBQ for Jackson EMC’s Annual Meeting, local and state beef shows, chapter banquets, and the local and state electrical wiring contest,  just to name a few.  On April 23, 2009, Cecil Worley attended the 81st FFA-EMC Wiring Banquet and first session of the State FFA Convention held at the Centreplex in Macon.   

Over 2000 FFA members from the 29,000 state member organization were in attendance.  EMC’s from across the state assist in judging the state career development events and were in attendance for the honors banquet.  The theme this year was “Step Up Stand Out.”  The banquet was held to recognize and award the top five area winners from each of the six designated FFA areas.  Student winners from our area, Area Two were: (1) Jacob Powell, Oconee; (2) Kenny Collins, Madison – Jerry Taylor, advisor; (3) Brandon Sikes, Jefferson – David Calloway, advisor; (4) Kolton Pendley, Banks – Scott Wheatly, advisor; and (5) Jonathan Moody, Oglethorpe.  

The top two from each area compete at the state level, held in January.  The state’s top six are recognized and receive state awards at the Convention’s first session later that night.  Kenny Collins from Madison County placed 4th in the state.     

In addition to Kenny’s recognition at the Convention’s first session, several local schools in our service area were recognized for their participation in various activities throughout the year.  North Hall High School had three FFA students perform and sing as a three-man string band at the Convention.  Being a local FFA Chapter Alumni himself and a life member of the National FFA Alumni Association, it pleases Cecil to see the development, the responsibilities, and the leadership roles of our youth. 

This Agricultural Electrification Career Development Event is an activity for FFA members to demonstrate their skills in electrical wiring, critical thinking, and communications.  The electrification competition is sponsored by the Electric Membership Corporations throughout Georgia as a means of promoting education in the safe efficient use of energy.

Jackson EMC has always been a proud sponsor of FFA activities and events.

Four local chambers came together for a Joint Business After Hours.  It was held on Thursday, March 19 at The Georgia Club.  The event was sponsored by The Georgia Club, Jackson EMC and Walton EMC.

The event marked the first time four chambers participated in the event.  Participants included the chambers of commerce in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Oconee and Walton Counties. 

More than 300 people attended the event, including JEMC's Kay Parks, Todd Evans, Roy Stowe, Kenny Beck, Don Stewart, Brian Patton, Mark Zoller, Joe Hicks and Gene Deal.

Involvement in area chambers is key to landing new choice load customers, according to Beck.  "We signed a record four new C/I customers in the Neese district in 2008, some of whom we would not have known about but for our involvement in the chamber," Beck said.

Our cooperative works with Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce and won the Large Business of the Year Award at their annual awards banquet.   

This is an annual award that is given to a company that meets the following critieria:  build or have a product expansion that creates a positive impact on the local business community by generating new jobs, increasing sales, or enhancing the aesthetic value of the property; innovation of leading edge technology, and provides services and/or products that enhance and advance business opportunities.  Heavy emphasis is placed on a company that dedicates service to the Chamber of Commerce through consistent support of Chamber events and activities; and dedicates service to the general community through consistent support of community endeavors that enhance the quality of life in the Jackson County area.  The company must demonstrate that they are exemplarily in their business field and be a model employer.

C/I Rep. Scott Martin also won the Citizen of the Year Award, and Vice President of Marketing/Member Relations, Roy Stowe, ended his one-year term as Board Chairman during the event.