GETTYSBURG, PA: Adams Electric’s board of directors voted in February to return $2.8 million in patronage capital credits to its membership. Known by co-op members as “Ownership Rewards,” this brings the amount returned for all years to more than $58 million.

“Ownership Rewards are a part of the cooperative business model that sets us apart,” says Glenn Bange, board president. “This return represents our members’ ownership in the cooperative, and returning these margins is a member benefit that helps us fulfill our mission of helping improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.”

Issued as a check mailed in March, Ownership Rewards are a benefit of being a current or former member-owner of an electric cooperative. Members receive a return on their investment in Adams Electric based upon their share of the cooperative's net profits. Members who move off co-op lines will continue to receive Ownership Rewards until their investment is completely returned. Each investment is based on a member’s total use of kilowatt hours over the lifetime of their membership.

Past recipients have inquired about options to donate their Ownership Rewards. Recipients may choose to donate these rewards to active cooperative members in need, through the co-op’s Project Helping Hand (PHH) program. Current and former members may give back their Ownership Rewards checks by signing the back, indicating for deposit to ACCF PHH, and returning the check to Adams Electric. All PHH donations will receive an acknowledgement letter at year’s end from the Adams County Community Foundation, which helps administer PHH program funds.

For more information on Ownership Rewards of Adams Electric, or the cooperative, call 1-800-726-2324.

Adams Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility serving 34,700 member-accounts in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Perry and York counties. Adams Electric is an equal opportunity provider and employer.