TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE SIGNIFICANT SERVICE OF MARLBORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE OF BENNETTSVILLE AND TO CONGRATULATE THE ORGANIZATION ON ITS SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF PROVIDING ELECTRICITY IN THE PALMETTO STATE.

Whereas, for seventy-five years, Marlboro Electric Cooperative has served its membership with excellence. One of twenty nonprofit consumer-owned electric-distribution systems serving the rural and suburban areas of South Carolina, Marlboro Electric Cooperative was organized by people in Marlboro County and Dillon County after many years of attempting to get other power suppliers to provide electric service for their sparsely populated rural areas; and

Whereas, in the early 1930s, electricity in South Carolina was confined to towns and cities where power suppliers could sell current to large groups of customers over small areas of land. It costs much more to serve rural areas because it takes more miles of line to sell power to fewer people. To recover those costs and make a profit, power companies would have to charge rates higher than people could afford; and

Whereas, in 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed an executive order creating the Rural Electrification Administration, which today, as part of the United States Department of Agriculture, is known as the Rural Utilities Service; and

Whereas, many consumers in the Palmetto State became interested in organizing electric-supply systems through nonprofit electric cooperatives. In 1939, Governor Olin Johnston signed the South Carolina Rural Electrification Act. County agents from the Clemson Extension Service, instrumental in forming most of the co-ops in the State, explained that it was possible for consumers to own their own company through the cooperative system; and

Whereas, on September 3, 1940, Marlboro Electric Cooperative in Bennettsville energized the first line and began serving power to its members. Seventy-five years later, it serves 6,520 accounts and 1,094 miles of line in two South Carolina counties, Marlboro and Dillon; and

Whereas, although the cooperative's core mission is to provide reliable, affordable electric service to its membership, it also has become an economic engine for development and job creation. By working with state and county governments, Marlboro Electric has helped attract job growth and industrial leaders, such as Domtar, Arauco, Mohawk Industries, Harbor Freight Tools, and Wyman Gordon; and

Whereas, Marlboro Electric has shown a strong commitment to the community through programs like Operation Round Up, which rounds up members' monthly bills to the nearest dollar for distribution to local charities. Through Operation Round Up, the cooperative donates more than thirty-six thousand dollars to charities each year. Marlboro Electric also provides support for local schools, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, veterans, and senior citizens; and

Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly appreciates the three quarters of a century that Marlboro Electric Cooperative has provided electricity, productivity, and opportunity to the citizens of South Carolina, and the members look forward to its continued prosperity and growth in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor the significant service of Marlboro Electric Cooperative of Bennettsville and congratulate the organization on its seventy-fifth anniversary of providing electricity in the Palmetto State.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Marlboro Electric Cooperative.