VEC has been serving rural Vernon County, WI and parts of surrounding counties since 1936 when rural residents took advantage of low-interest loans from the federal government (Rural Electrification Administration) to start their own electric utility. Prior to 1936 no investor-owned utilities would build power lines out to rural areas because there was not enough profit to be made. Now, with their own electric utility, rural residents not only have electricity to help them with their chores, but they also have a say in how their utility is run.
Power for VEC comes from Dairyland Power Cooperative. VEC and 24 other distribution cooperatives own Dairyland Power Cooperative, which provides service over a large geographic area of the Midwest including parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. Together, we are committed to quality service and innovative ways to improve the quality of life for our members in Southwestern Wisconsin. As you will see, we're much more than electricity.