More Reliable. More Affordable. More Cooperative.
By MPD STAFF
Some things are just better together. Peanut butter and jelly……Barbie and Ken……pineapple and pizza……. Well, maybe not everyone will agree on that last one. But what everyone can agree on is that Marlboro Electric and Pee Dee Electric, while wonderful and special apart, are better together!
When you get your next power bill, you’ll notice an impressive new name at the top. Thanks to the recent merger that members collectively approved, the name of your electric cooperative has now officially changed to MPD.
Our shiny new name change is already looking really spiffy on our trucks, buildings, hats and uniforms. But one thing that hasn’t changed is our continued commitment to you, our members. You’ll work with the same helpful and friendly staff in our offices and the same dedicated linemen in the field. We’ll all enjoy having access to more employees to speed our response time, and you won’t even need to change your routine or fiddle with the map app on your phone. Our physical office will remain open in Bennettsville, and you’ll love walking through the door of our inviting new location in Florence.
And here’s an even bigger headline and reason to celebrate: MPD Electric Cooperative now has the lowest utility rates in South Carolina, and the lowest co-op in the Southeast!
“This smart and foresighted merger positions your electric cooperative to create even more economic benefits, long-term efficiencies, and better reliability for the entire membership,” said William Fleming, Jr., president and CEO of MPD. “All of us can be proud that our combined service area has created one of the largest geographical territories of any cooperative in the state of South Carolina with the efficiencies and effectiveness that should stand the test of time, God willing.”
That was then…
Our legacy co-ops made their mark on history after President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act (REA) in 1936. Cities like Charleston and Columbia had enjoyed power for almost 50 years, but for farmers and others in the rural areas of the Pee Dee, electricity seemed like a dream. Running power lines for miles to serve three or four families didn’t make economic sense for investor-owned utilities with shareholders from all over the world dictating 
investment strategy. Imagine how hard it would have been to look across the horizon from Mechanicsville or Society Hill and see the bright lights of cities like Darlington while you were still challenged to light your home with oil lamps.
After the REA enabled electric cooperatives to “turn on the lights” across the nation, South Carolina received a loan to build 511 miles of power lines in 22 counties, serving more than 2,000 farms, ready to power the growth of South Carolina’s vital agricultural industry.
Pee Dee Electric Cooperative’s legacy organization was up and running in 1939. Once based in downtown Darlington, it grew to provide electrical power to residential and industrial members in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Lee, and Marion counties. Marlboro Electric Cooperative was founded soon afterwards in 1940. From its base in Bennettsville, it excelled at providing electrical power in Marlboro and Dillon counties.
This is now...
Today as cooperatives across the nation face rising prices and the evolution of the industry, MPD is poised to serve as a model of excellence. Our efforts to work hand-in-hand over the past three years to combine forces reflect our Boards’ commitment to serve our membership better than ever.
Going forward, our dedication to member service will be unprecedented. Our priorities will include quicker response time and faster power restoration, along with fewer service interruptions. Our community service and education commitment will continue to include scholarship support for the hard-working students who will become our leaders of industry and the resilient backbone of our community.
All MPD members will now have access to:
--The SmartHub App, a convenient connection that makes it easier for you to get energy usage and power outage information, as well as to pay your bills.
--Operation Round-Up, an initiative to help MPD members support other members who are faced with trying circumstances, as well as non-profit organizations that provide greatly needed services. Being a part of the solution is as easy as rounding up to the next dollar when you pay your power bill.
--MPD’s Power to Serve, a charity founded to give back to MPD Electric communities through donations and service projects such as wheelchair ramps for the disabled, an annual Christmas party for those with special needs, and much more.
--And many programs and benefits that can be found on our website MPD.coop
“As illustrated by the six rate decreases that have benefitted MPD members since MEC and PDEC first joined forces in September of 2020, we are clearly better together and stronger than ever,” said Bo McInnis, Chairman of the Board of MPD.”
Now that the new gloves are on, the puzzle pieces of our merger are all in place, and we’ve made our new name official, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish together.
The best is yet to come!!
Our locations to serve you:
1301 East Pocket Road
Florence, SC 29506
676 HWY 9 East
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Payment locations:
Darlington Piggly Wiggly
Hartsville Piggly Wiggly
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