March 2024
This is a very special year for the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives as we celebrate our 80th year in existence. In 1944 we were formed by our distribution electric cooperatives that we continue to serve today by providing valued services that include this magazine, safety training, communication services, and governmental and regulatory support.
Our cover story this month recognizes yet another anniversary taking place this year. Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation began paving the way for broadband deployment 20 years ago in 2004. As the article indicates, MBC was into broadband before broadband was cool. Electric cooperatives played a pivotal role in the start of this organization that has grown into the backbone of rural high-speed internet throughout our region.
Just like electricity in the 1930s and 1940s, the only way broadband was coming to Virginia’s rural areas was going to be if cooperatives stepped up to make it happen.
As we now move into spring and get more involved in outdoor activities, we are also including an article this month about someone whose passion is creating outdoor hiking trails for others to enjoy. Other features in this issue include celebrating the March holidays (St. Patrick’s Day and this year, Easter), along with yet another interesting article about one of our cooperative’s employees who has gone full circle from Youth Tour participant to Youth Tour chaperone.
We are honored and humbled to carry on our 80-year tradition of serving our cooperatives that provide reliable electricity safely to over 1 million homes and businesses in our three-state area.
Brian S. Mosier, President & CEO
Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives