2026 Bylaw Vote FAQ

This vote does not change electric rates. In fact, legally, we can’t use one service to subsidize another. However, it does help strengthen the cooperative as a whole. As we gain more fiber customers, we will be able to spread shared costs even further.

This vote ensures that we will not have to raise fiber rates solely to cover a substantial tax bill. It’s a historic victory for MEC and our customers!

No. MEC stopped charging a general membership fee about 20 years ago.

The $45 charge supports electric service and infrastructure specifically. As is pretty common with internet service, we don’t bill for usage. The service charge is already included in the monthly rate. Fiber-only customers, however, do pay a one-time fiber connection fee to have service brought to their property. Electric customers do not pay this connection fee.

All members receive capital credit allocations based on the performance of each service they subscribe to. An electric customer without fiber will receive allocations only for electric, while an electric customer with fiber will receive allocations for both services. A fiber-only customer will receive fiber allocations.

MEC will maintain its makeup of nine board members. However, we will need to redistrict our service territory to incorporate our fiber-only areas. This means that our current directors will have larger territories. We are currently working on new district maps and will present them at the annual meeting and in future issues of our Country Lines magazine.

Yes. However, all board members are obligated to make decisions that benefit the cooperative as a whole and must act in the best interests of electric and fiber service. Additionally, our fiber service territory is rural, as is our electric service territory. These customers are our neighbors and share our values.

Yes. All bylaws apply.

The savings come from MEC not having to raise fiber prices just to cover a large income tax bill. This allows MEC to keep investing in services and communities, strengthens the cooperative, supports advocacy for rural Michigan, and helps ensure long-term financial stability.

Many rural areas are still unserved or underserved by larger providers. Some companies build in a few towns while leaving nearby rural areas behind. MEC is fulfilling its mission of expanding where others won’t, helping people stay connected, and supporting strong rural communities across Michigan.

The reality is that if people cannot access the services they need to survive, they often move. Bringing fiber to our rural neighbors helps to keep our communities vibrant, relevant, and sustainable, and creates a place our children and grandchildren are proud to call home.

The cash for any expansion efforts has been funded in several ways. We’ve secured significant federal, state, and local grants. Additionally, revenue from our existing fiber network is reinvested in the system, while loans help fill in the gaps. In some cases, we have partnered with homeowners who have funded construction. Finally, all non-members pay a fiber connection fee that electric customers do not. It helps fund our construction and ensures we only install equipment on committed subscribers’ homes. They will continue to pay that fee if they become cooperative members.

Bottom line: Before we expand anywhere, we ensure we have adequate return on investment and operational capacity to do so, without adversely impacting existing customers.