(Jasper, GA) — Amicalola EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that operates under the cooperative business model, which is guided by seven key principles. One of these principles is members’ economic participation. This means members share equally in the cooperative’s assets and receive refunds when revenues exceed the cost of providing electric service.
This year, the Amicalola EMC Board of Directors approved the return of more than $2.1 million in capital credits to members who received electric service in 2004. Members with active accounts saw the refund as a credit on their September power bill, while those without an active account will receive a check by mail—provided a current mailing address is on file.
Unclaimed funds are retained for five years. Following a 2005 change to Georgia’s unclaimed property laws, Amicalola EMC is permitted to use unclaimed funds within its service area to support three community-focused purposes: education, economic development, and 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. It is important to note that state law will only allow these funds to be used for these approved purposes and will not allow the unclaimed refunds to be used to offset rates or pay power bills.
This year, Amicalola EMC is providing approximately $494,914 in community funding across our service area. 2025 donations will include $142,000 in high school scholarships, $46,720 in Bright Ideas teacher grants, $56,000 to area fire departments, $10,000 to local development authorities, $5,000 to each local Chamber of Commerce, $10,000 to each local food pantry, $15,000 to the Sons of the American Legion Post 239 for Dahlonega’s Military Heritage Museum, $5,000 to the Rotary Club of Jasper, $5,000 to the Rotary Club of Gilmer for a Veteran’s dinner, $15,000 to Tate Elementary School and $15,000 to Gilmer County Veteran’s Memorial Committee ($15,000 from Amicalola EMC and a matching $15,000 from CoBank, a national cooperative bank serving industries across rural America.) Other organizations receiving funding include Pickens Toys for Tots, Pickens Weekend Snack program, The Boys & Girls Club of North Georgia, Pickens Veteran’s Park, FCA Reinhardt, Funk Heritage Center, Dawson County, City of Nelson, City of Ball Ground, CASA, Gilmer Christian Learning Center, Redemption Outreach and the Operation Roundup grant program.
Amicalola EMC remains a dedicated supporter of the communities it serves. In addition to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity, the cooperative is committed to promoting sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for local residents.
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Amicalola EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative which provides electricity and related services to over 57,000 locations in Bartow, Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, Lumpkin, Murray and Pickens counties.