Cooperative Historical Dates & Events
May 11, 1935
President Franklin Roosevelt signed an executive order establishing the Rural Electrification Administration
May 21, 1936
REA became a government agency when the President signed the Rural Electrification Act
June - November 1936
Privately-owned power companies were unwilling to carry out the intent of the REA to electrify rural America (not enough customers per mile of line)
Rural people began meeting to address the issue of getting electricity
Inquiries and applications for loans were made to REA
December 9, 1936
Articles of Organization for Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative signed
December 17, 1936
Articles of Organization accepted by the original signers
Officers and directors elected
Ten applications for membership accepted
First loan application to REA (loan not to exceed $60,000)
May 21, 1937
Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative joined the Wisconsin Power Cooperative (generation plant)
July 15, 1937
Contract signed with WA Patterson Company of St. Paul to build 59 miles of distribution line to 120 waiting members
October 17, 1937
$10,000 borrowed to be loaned to members installing wiring and plumbing (all loans were paid - not one penny was defaulted!)
March 17, 1938
Electricity reached rural Chippewa County and 112 members were connected
1939
350 miles of line extended to the rural areas
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