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The Evolving Role Of Electric Cooperatives In Economic Development: A Case Study Of Owen Electric Cooperative And Jackson Energy Cooperative, Whitney Prather Duvall

Theses and Dissertations--Community & Leadership Development

In recent years, there has been a shift in among Kentucky rural electric cooperatives in regard to their stance on economic development. With this has been the employment of electric cooperative staff to help attract new industries and forge relationships with other local economic development-geared groups to facilitate growth. Cooperative businesses have historically proved their resilience and deep-rooted connections within the communities they serve. In exploring two similar-sized electric cooperatives in Kentucky located in two very different regions of the state, considering socio-economic status, and interviewing key informants with local affiliated economic development groups, it becomes evident that electric cooperatives …