Business Community Honors Wiregrass Electric as Alabama’s 2023 Small Business of the Year
Wiregrass Electric Cooperative’s (WEC) mission to support the community extends beyond providing affordable, reliable electricity. In 2023, the cooperative surpassed a $1 million fundraising milestone for its Operation Round Up Foundation, used the Growing Alabama Tax Credit to support the development of the Geneva County Industrial Park, and joined forces with local and state leaders to create a strong economic future in Southeast Alabama.
It’s that commitment to uplifting those it serves that earned WEC the 2023 Alabama Small Business of the Year Award in the 51 to 100 employee category, underscoring its role as a force in regional development. With over 19,000 members across multiple counties, WEC’s network of power lines stretches across 3,200 miles.
“The strength of WEC lies in our people, our members, and our partnerships,” says CEO Brad Kimbro. “It’s about leveraging overall improvement for our area.”
Local chambers of commerce across the state submitted nominations for the awards, and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce nominated WEC. Then, 46 finalists were chosen jointly by the Business Council of Alabama, or BCA, and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. A panel of out-of-state judges evaluated each business’s community involvement, chamber participation, business success, and more.
“WEC’s commitment to leadership is evident in its active engagement with economic development initiatives, including Grow Dothan-Geneva County, Leadership Dothan participation for employees, and collaboration with the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce,” a BCA news release reads.
Proactively Supporting the Wiregrass
The BCA praised WEC’s active role in the community, demonstrated through the cooperative’s support of initiatives like the Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass program, a partnership with WTVY, and WEC’s Operation Round Up Foundation to recognize unsung community heroes. It also highlighted WEC programs like the 95.5 Wiregrass Teachers of the Month, Woof Radio’s Lineman of the Week, which spotlights local high school athletes, and participation in state and national Youth Tour programs.
“The Small Business of the Year Awards exist to recognize, celebrate, and promote small businesses for their notable efforts in supporting their communities and bettering our state. BCA is proud to honor some of our state’s most impressive small businesses as they exemplify resilience, passion, and commitment,” BCA President and CEO Helena Duncan says. “Local businesses are the sponsors you see on Little League jerseys, at high school football games, and at community philanthropy events. They are the heart of Alabama communities and deserve to be celebrated every single day.”
Small Business, Big Impact
The BCA also commended WEC for its recent donation of a transmission tower to Geneva County E-911, the development of the Geneva County Industrial Park and sponsorship of Southeast Alabama Worlds of Work, or WOW. Attention was given to Operation Round Up, the nonprofit arm of the cooperative designed to harness members’ collective change to allocate funding to local causes. In 2023, Operation Round Up surpassed $1 million in fundraising.
Uplifting the entire region helps us all fare much better.” — CEO Brad Kimbro
“Our focus and duty are to the member first,” Kimbro says. “But uplifting the entire region helps us all fare much better.”
Elevating the Region
WEC’s philosophy of member-first service fuels its involvement in various development activities, including education and job creation. 1 notable achievement is the collaborative effort in attracting a latex manufacturer to Hartford that promises over 80 new jobs.
“We try to better life for our members in any way we can,” WEC Board of Trustees President David Winstead says. “Our economic development efforts are aimed at bringing more businesses into the system, which ultimately benefits our members.”
Also, Broadband for the Wiregrass, a partnership between WEC and C Spire, formerly Troy Cable, is bringing high-speed internet to the most rural corners of WEC’s service territory, including effective “dead zones” unserved by other internet providers.
At the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce reception, DACC President Matt Parker lauded WEC’s extensive community work, particularly in expanding broadband.
“It was truly exciting to see them receive the gold award,” Parker says. “Their recognition is very well-deserved, amidst some tough competition. It’s impressive to see them rise to the top. They’re in a prestigious company, and we’re just really proud of them.”
Receiving the award reflects the teamwork and dedication of all WEC employees and the member-owners who support and contribute to the cooperative’s goals.
“We thank our Board of Trustees for their leadership and our employees for their relentless service and putting members first,” Kimbro says. “We’re so humbled and honored that the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce believed in us to put forth our organization for this award. We appreciate their support and being named a Small Business of the Year, but we are more honored to serve our members and community in everything we do.”