Chad Stone
GENERAL MANAGER
During the depths of the Great Depression, while nearby cities glowed with electric lights, our farms and small communities remained dependent on kerosene lamps and wood-burning stoves. It was a time when electricity was still a luxury that many rural families only dreamed of.
That began to change when the South Carolina General Assembly created the State Rural Electrification Authority, designed to extend lines from existing power companies to rural areas. But if rural areas were to ever see the transformative power of electricity, they would have to take matters in their own hands.
The founding members of our cooperative didn’t just create a utility company—they pioneered a movement. These local community members pooled their resources and brought electricity to their communities by establishing what we now know as Little River Electric Cooperative. On June 10, 1940, Little River Electric Cooperative received its state charter, and seven months later, began delivering electricity to members.
The early years were marked by many challenges. Every mile of power line had to be carefully planned and constructed while the co-op dealt with material and labor shortages due to World War II. Crews worked tirelessly to string the first electrical lines that would connect homes, farms and businesses to the modern world. The first time a light bulb blinked on, it represented more than just illumination—it was the hope of a new era.
As decades passed, Little River Electric Cooperative grew from a handful of determined rural farmers and businessmen to a strong member owned cooperative that now serves Abbeville, Anderson, Greenwood and McCormick counties. The cooperative now has more than 15,000 residential and industrial members and a service territory that stretches more than 2,200 miles.
Over the last 85 years, each new connection represented another family, another farm and another business joining what we call our cooperative family, a community working together for the common good of its neighbors. Little River Electric’s commitment to its members extended beyond its service territory by becoming a proud member of The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, joining forces with other rural electric cooperatives across the state. The cooperative also joined the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) connecting with more than 900 electric cooperatives across the nation.
As we reflect on 85 years of service, Little River Electric has always been more than just a provider of electricity— it is a driving force for community development, economic growth and improved quality of life for thousands of families and businesses. We look to the future with excitement and determination. The energy landscape will continue to evolve, change, grow and shape how we think about electricity.
The history of Little River Electric Cooperative is a living story written each day by the dedicated employees who maintain our lines, the board of directors who provide governance and most importantly, by the thousands of members who continue to place their trust in the cooperative way.
I’m excited for the future of Little River Electric Cooperative. Here’s to 85 years of remembering those who came before us and looking forward to many more years of cooperative service, innovation and hope for the future.
CHAD STONE
General Manager
