About Us

Since 1940, Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CHELCO) has served its members with a commitment to safety, reliability, and affordability. Today, CHELCO is a leader among cooperatives in each of those commitments, keeping our members at the forefront of every decision we make.

CHELCO is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 76,000 accounts in Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, and Santa Rosa counties, including on Eglin Air Force Base, and we are proud to serve you!

We have six area offices, including our headquarters in DeFuniak Springs.

Our Mission

Enhance the quality of life for our members through the safe delivery of reliable and affordable energy with an unwavering commitment to our employees and local communities.

Our Values

Commitment to Safety
Honest & Trustworthy
Exceptional Member Service
Lead & Innovate
Community & Employee Focus
Outstanding Teamwork

CHELCO Board of Trustees

Executive Leadership

CHELCO Videos

History

Although most cities had electricity by the mid-1930s, rural Americans were still in the dark.  The high cost of building electric distribution lines to serve sparsely populated rural areas was thought to be unprofitable.

Then in 1940, with the support of the federal Rural Electrification Administration's oversight and low-interest loans, the people of northwest Florida decided to band together to form CHELCO, a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative.   

Later that same year, CHELCO members met with 10 other electric cooperatives and formed Alabama Electric Cooperative (now PowerSouth Energy Cooperative), a generation and transmission cooperative established to generate the electricity needed by its member co-ops.

CHELCO is dedicated to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity. Membership, in 1940 and today, costs $5.00.

The Electric Cooperative Story