Southern hospitality: Walton Electric Co-op makes a positive difference for Georgia

Rural Cooperatives, Sept-Oct, 2003 by Steve Thompson

Starting a security affiliate was also in response to customer interest. The security business is different from electric distribution, but, says Lee, "Customers know our name." Walton got together with another electric cooperative, Jackson EMC, to set up the new affiliate about four years ago.

Today, EMC Security is subsidiary wholly owned by Walton and Jackson EMCs. The venture has been successful, in part, because EMC offers a no-nonsense security product, selling equipment separately from services, and not tying customers to onerous leases or monitoring contract requirements like some competitors.

Monitoring fees are more than competitive. "There's a six-month, 100 percent money-back guarantee on every system," says EMC Security General Manager Vince Raia. In about four years, the customer base has grown to about 8,000, most of it in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

"It's just another avenue we can serve," says Lee. Though times have changed, the Walton tradition of service is alive and growing.

Walton saluted for business ethics

Walton EMC was recently recognized with the first Samaritan Business Ethics award, presented by the Covenant Counseling and Family Resource Center and the Gwinnett, Ga., Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes businesses that are "doing the right thing" and which foster heightened awareness of ethical business practices.

Covenant Board President Barbara Myers said Walton demonstrates strong ethics and integrity toward customers, employees and the community. "Walton operates with the philosophy that the customer is given the benefit of the doubt," she said. "Electric rates are structured to provide the most affordable rates possible while recovering the cost of providing electric service."

Editor's note: this is the second of three articles focusing on the community-building efforts of electric cooperatives.

Steve Thompson writer-editor USDA Rural Development stephenA.thompson@usda.gov