In 1949, a group of 21 rural electric cooperatives from South Dakota and Minnesota joined forces to create their own generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative to access reliable and affordable wholesale power supply for their region. After hiring an engineer and an attorney, East River Electric Power Cooperative was born and the co-op was officially in business the following year.
Today, East River Electric is headquartered in Madison, South Dakota, and operates eight regional service centers. As a G&T cooperative, East River provides wholesale power to 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally-owned electric system. Together, these member systems serve communities across 41 counties in eastern South Dakota and 22 counties in western Minnesota. East River maintains 3,282 miles of transmission line, 265 substations and a workforce of 166 employees.
East River celebrated its 75th anniversary in September 2025, marking a long history steeped in cooperation. From load management and demand response programs that help control wholesale power costs to energy efficiency initiatives, technical support, planning and operational coordination, East River ensures its member co-ops are well equipped to provide safe, reliable and affordable power in their communities.
East River’s impact reaches well beyond the electric grid.
“East River Electric has been a part of the Madison community for over 75 years and has had a dramatic impact on the quality of life in our community,” said Chris Studer, East River Chief Member and Public Relations Officer. “[As] one of the largest employers in town, East River Electric not only has a positive impact on our local economy, but the employees are strong community members as well. We have employees who serve in local government offices, on charitable organization boards of directors, and volunteer at numerous events in our community. The cooperative spirit runs through our workforce, and we’re proud of the work that our employees have done for decades in our community,” Studer said.
East River and its member cooperatives are directly involved in local economic development through their Rural Electric Economic Development (REED) Fund, a community development financial institution (CDFI) established in 1996 by East River and many of its member co-ops to provide business and community project financing in partnership with federal programs, commercial and other economic development lenders to leverage private investment and make a difference in their region. “The REED Fund has invested over $145 million in our rural communities, with project impact reaching over $1 billion, to support local business and community growth,” said East River Electric Business Development Director Mike Jaspers.
In addition to Principle 7 or “concern for community,” East River is also deeply committed to Principle 5—”education, training, and information.” East River invests in youth programs, scholarships and leadership development, including its Scholar of the Week program, which recognizes high school seniors throughout the school year. Their Co-ops in the Classroom program brings lessons on electrical safety and cooperative values into schools across the region. Public safety campaigns support farmers, contractors and community members, while the Who Powers You? contest honors people making a difference locally.
Importantly, East River recognizes that maintaining a pipeline of skilled lineworkers and other power industry professionals is critical to the sustainability of their co-op and member co-ops. East River recently approved a $200,000 investment in Mitchell Technical College’s power line program. The pledge will be made over five years beginning in 2026 and supports the construction of a new training facility designed to address the need for expanded utility technology programs. Most of East River’s membership, as well as other cooperatives from across the state, combined with partner matching contributions and will contribute nearly $750,000 in total.
“Mitchell Technical College educates many of the individuals East River and other cooperatives hire across the state and is a great pipeline for our future workforce,” said Chelsie Bakken, East River Communications and Marketing Manager. “Teaming up to invest in the future workforce is something we are truly proud of, and we are grateful for the opportunity to give back to higher education initiatives in the region and young individuals who will live and work in the region throughout their lives,” she said.
“Teaming up to invest in the future workforce is something we are truly proud of.” – Chelsie Bakken, Marketing Manager
East River’s commitment to cooperation also extends outside of its service territory in times of need. For example, East River crews provided mutual aid to neighboring Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) in March 2025 after a severe winter storm caused significant damage to NIPCO’s infrastructure. Following Hurricane Helene, East River’s membership sent 18 lineworkers and equipment to help restore power at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in South Carolina and Jefferson Energy Cooperative in Georgia.
For East River, NCBA CLUSA membership is a natural expression of its cooperative identity. “East River Electric was founded based on the 6th Cooperative Principle of ‘cooperation among cooperatives,'” said East River CEO and General Manager Bob Sahr. “Working together to advocate for the cooperative business model has always been in our DNA, and we appreciate the work NCBA does on our behalf to strengthen all cooperatives.”
Whether it’s collaborating with member co-ops on solving power industry challenges or helping fellow electric co-ops after severe weather events, fostering the creation of a CDFI that has impressive impact on the local economy, or bolstering higher education programs, East River Electric Power Cooperative shows what it means to live out the cooperative principles and how this can transform civic engagement in a region. NCBA CLUSA joins East River in celebrating its 75 years of impact and the continued work ahead to build a better world through cooperatives.