CHELCO was founded in 1941 to bring power to the rural communities in the Florida Panhandle. First known as REA, (Rural Electrification Administration), our name was later changed to Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CHELCO) to reflect the area that we serve. At CHELCO, we serve more than 64,000 accounts in Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Holmes counties, and our area is growing at one of the fastest rates in the state.
CHELCO's most important asset is a workforce of more than 170 employees who are dedicated to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity while promoting the quality of life for our members. Our employees are active in the community, serving on local boards and representing CHELCO to the highest standards. We create countless relationships with other individuals and businesses and work to improve our community through our partnerships.
Walton County Economic Development Alliance: Walton County is the fastest growing economy in the state of Florida, and the Walton County Economic Development Alliance was created in 1990 to spearhead the diversification of the county's economy, attract new investments to the region and create jobs. They also provide local and prospective businesses with the tools and resources they need to be successful.
One Okaloosa Economic Development Council: One Okaloosa EDC is the community's primary organization tasked with improving the area's economy through the attraction and retention of new, diversified employment opportunities and capital investments. Constituted in 1989, the Okaloosa EDC serves as a non-profit public/private partnership.
PowerSouth Economic Development: PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, headquartered in Andalusia, Alabama, is a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative providing the wholesale power needs of 20 distribution members, including CHELCO, in Alabama and northwest Florida. PowerSouth's Business Development team works to attract new companies, which results in more jobs and investments in the areas the members serve, and to engage existing businesses and industries to help them grow in a sustainable way.
