Manager’s Message – December 2021

“The holidays.” I love everything about this time of year. Just the thought of the holiday and evokes a sense of comfort
and nostalgia. Recalling family gatherings and traditions warms my heart and fills my senses. It’s a time of reflection. I’m grateful for my own family as well as my co-op family. At Halifax EMC, we’re driven by a sense of mission and purpose. Our team feels a strong connection to our community and our members, because we live here, too.

While many of our community-focused programs and activities ramp up this time of year, we have several programs and services in place to help our members year-round. I’d like to remind you about some of these offerings in hopes you’ll find them beneficial.

We hope you’ll take advantage of the HEMC Mobile app that empowers you to monitor, manage and pay your energy bill conveniently through your phone. Another service we offer is pre-paid metering, which is intended to help budget your monthly energy costs. Halifax EMC members can pay for electricity before it’s used, then use the electricity until the credit expires. During the time period paid for, you’ll receive regular feedback on your balance via text or email. We also offer energy efficiency programs to save you money and energy.

In addition to helping members save today, we’re focusing on the future. In our area, we’re seeing increased interest in renewable energy sources. Recent innovations and advances have led to significant cost decreases in renewable energy, making it more feasible and accessible. In recent years, Halifax EMC has been able to adjust our fuel mix by incorporating more renewables. Today, five percent of our fuel mix is comprised of renewable energy sources.

You may have noticed our electric vehicle (EV) “Sparky” around town. We invested in an EV to promote greater understanding of electric vehicles and promote their use, especially given the focus on electrification of the transportation sector.

But the most important investment we make is in our local youth. Halifax EMC offers scholarships to local high schoolers who plan to further their education at a North Carolina community college, college or university. We also partner with Touchstone Energy to send middle school girls and boys to basketball camp each summer. Each year, through our Youth Tour program, we send rising high school seniors to Washington, D.C. for a weeklong immersion to experience democracy in action.

At the heart of all of these programs is you––the members we proudly serve. Looking back, I’m grateful for so many wonderful community partners and for the positive impact we can continue to make.

This holiday season, I wish you and your loved ones peace, joy and prosperity. Speaking on behalf of our team at Halifax EMC, I know the future will be bright, because of you.