Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (Jackson EMC) is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving communities across Northeast Georgia. Its origins date to the 1930s, when local business and community leaders organized to bring electricity to rural areas through the federal Rural Electrification Administration program. Chartered in 1938, the cooperative energized its first power lines in April 1939. Today, it serves more than 275,000 meters across 10 counties, providing electricity to residential, commercial and industrial members. Its cooperative structure means the organization is owned by the members it serves, with a commitment to reliable service and community development. Beyond electricity distribution, Jackson EMC supports education, community welfare and charitable initiatives. Its Jackson EMC Foundation, established in 2005, distributes funds raised through Operation Round Up, a voluntary program that allows members to round up their monthly electric bills and donate the difference. The foundation has awarded more than $22 million in grants to nonprofits and individuals across its service area. Funding supports food banks, health clinics, educational programs, emergency shelters and families facing financial difficulties. The cooperative also invests in youth leadership, teacher support and energy-efficiency initiatives, extending its contribution to the region beyond essential utility services.