Since its formation in 1961 by six generation and transmission cooperatives, Associated Electric Cooperative has grown under the leadership of its member-directed board and management. Throughout its history, Associated’s mission-driven strategies have kept the cooperative focused on providing an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members.

The historical timeline below shows key projects in the development of Associated from humble roots to one of the nation's largest G&T electric cooperatives.

About Associated Electric Cooperative

Associated Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, member-led, not-for-profit electric cooperative with a mission to generate reliable, affordable and responsible power for six member-owner G&T cooperatives and 51 distribution cooperatives across Missouri, northeast Oklahoma and southeast Iowa. Together, we proudly serve more than 2.1 million people in the Midwest.

Strong credit ratings are key indicators of Associated's financial strength. Every year, a leadership team travels to New York to meet with rating agencies to tell the story of the cooperative’s financial strategies, forecasts and the past year’s financial performance. This credit review process is critical to keeping rates affordable for members.

Affordable, reliable power supply is a catalyst for attracting regionwide economic growth and development. Doing all we can to showcase our home region –and benefits of doing business here – is a key role Associated Electric Cooperative plays for member systems.

Benefiting from low-cost generation, a central geographical location and numerous interconnections with neighboring entities, the cooperative takes advantage of pricing spreads to generate third party sales that help keep member rates as low as possible. Throughout its history, the cooperative has leveraged its financial strength and flexibility to find solutions, absorb costs and keep rates affordable for members. Every decision, program or project is measured through the lens of affordability, keeping members’ energy needs and quality of life paramount.

© Copyright 2025, Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The material used on this site is created and owned by AECI, affiliates, employees, agents or assigns (collectively, “AECI”), constitutes the intellectual property of AECI and may not be reproduced, modified, republished, transmitted or distributed in any way without the express written consent of AECI. If the material is prepared by one of AECI Corp.’s affiliates, that entity remains the owner of such material, which material shall have been posted herein with the permission of that owner.

The material used on this site is created and owned by AECI, affiliates, employees, agents or assigns (collectively, “AECI”), constitutes the intellectual property of AECI and may not be reproduced, modified, republished, transmitted or distributed in any way without the express written consent of AECI. If the material is prepared by one of AECI Corp.’s affiliates, that entity remains the owner of such material, which material shall have been posted herein with the permission of that owner.