Cities are illuminated

Electricity lit up city life during the early 1930's while less than 10 percent of rural residents were even given the opportunity to have electricity in their homes. The Investor Owned Utilities(IOUs) could not extend lines into less populated farming communities because it was not cost efficient for them. It wasn't until Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president, that electricity became a reality in rural America.

FDR to the rescue

Stricken with polio at the age of 39, FDR sought the healing powers of the naturally heated springs in Warm Springs, GA. It was during one of his visits that he realized his electric bill was extremely expensive compared to the bill he received for his New York City residence. After further investigation he discovered that residents of this rural community that he had grown so fond of were not enjoying the same modern day conveniences as folks living in the city. So, in 1935 as part of his New Deal, the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was created to provide a way to bring electricity to rural America.

What is the REA?

Through the REA, groups of farmers could secure loans to form Rural Electric Cooperatives to distribute electricity throughout their communities. The REA is still helping cooperatives today, but has evolved over the years into RUS or Rural Utilities Service. These early Electric Cooperatives are still serving the same areas, and have even expanded into other areas over the years.

How was Southern Rivers Energy formed?

Southern Rivers Energy, which began as Lamar Electric Membership Corporation, was formed in 1938 by A. N. Moye, E. C. Milner, W. P. Elder, Sr., H. L. Smith, J. E. Ballard, O. L. Carter and W. H. Dunn with the help of Lamar County's Extension Agent, J. S. Harden and Attorney, H. J. Kennedy, Sr.

After the REA was formed in May of 1935, these men immediately began taking the necessary steps to submit an application for securing a loan. This included a letter writing campaign to members of Congress, going door to door to sign up members, and obtaining easements for proposed power lines. After two failed attempts, the committee of men from Lamar County finally received word of their loan approval on December 20, 1937.

In February of 1938, the Lamar Electric Membership Corporation was chartered and in March of 1938, the newly formed Board of Directors which included: H. L. Smith, President, O. L. Carter, Vice President, A. N. Moye, Secretary, E. C. Milner, Treasurer, W. P. Elder, Sr., J. E. Ballard, Sr., and W. H. Dunn received final approval on an REA loan for $127,000 to build 144 miles of power line to serve 357 members in Lamar, Pike, Upson and Monroe Counties. Find out more >>