How we started, Where we’ve been, Where we are today
Three Notch Electric Membership Corporation is an electric distribution cooperative located in the southwest corner of Georgia. It serves the counties of Early, Seminole, Miller, Decatur, Baker, and Clay. Three Notch EMC is named after the Three Notch Trail, which goes through the center of its coverage area. In the early 1800’s, Andrew Jackson came through this area in pursuit of the Seminole Indians and, to leave a trail for others to follow, he marked three notches on trees.
In 1937, Gordon Spooner and four of his neighbors decided they wanted electric service for their farms near Donalsonville. The nearest line by which they could be served, a Georgia Power line, was currently serving Henry Cummings a mile-and-a-half away. The power company told this group it would not be economically feasible to serve their location. Mr. Spooner then went to County Agent Frank Reid and asked about the new Federal program, the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). The group wanted to know if REA would lend money to build lines to their homes, and Mr. Reid wrote REA for an answer. REA said it could not lend money for just one line, but it could make a loan for a new system to serve in three counties. REA sent forms to Mr. Reid showing how to go about organizing rural electric cooperative. After reviewing the information from REA, Mr. Reid and Mr. Spooner both thought it would be well worth a try.
One of the first people they talked with was L.H Baughman of Jakin, Georgia. He was serving on the Board of County Commissioners and had been directed by the commissioners to do something about beginning rural electrification in their area. Mr. Spooner and Mr. Baughman, along with Ray Darbyshire, M.G. Clarke, C.E. Martin, J.C. Balkcom, and H.G. Woods, then set about the task of organizing Three Notch EMC, assisted by Frank Reid, county agent. This pioneer group of seven men was to eventually become the first Board of Directors of Three Notch EMC.
During the period of organization, Three Notch EMC was also assisted by the co-op’s first attorney, E.P. Stapleton. Mr. Stapleton served as the co-op attorney from 1937 until his death on August 5, 1971.
To organize the co-op, REA required three consumers to the mile, with each paying a $5 membership fee ($2 for tenants) and agreement to pay for $2.25 worth of electricity a month ($1 for tenants). The organizers began going up and down the roads to sign up new consumers. The rural people wanted electricity, but not all were sure the “new-fangled” program would work. A lot of them signed up and paid their money, but some didn’t have much cash to spare. Some had the money, but couldn’t see throwing it away on such a wild and impractical dream. Finally, enough signed up, and it looked like electricity would come to the rural areas at last!
On June 29, 1938, the organizers filed a petition with the state for incorporation. Then on July 22, 1938, the Superior Court Judge in Donalsonville signed the Order, and Three Notch Electric Membership Corporation was ready for business. On July 23, 1938, the incorporators held their first meeting in the Seminole County Courthouse. During this session, the following business transactions were approved: Election of first officers: C.E. Martin, president; M.G. Clarke, vice president; and H.G. Woods, secretary-treasurer. C. Lamar Hatcher was appointed the first project superintendent (general manager). Mr. Hatcher held this position until he entered the Army in February, 1942.
At a meeting of directors on September 22, 1938, J.B. McCrary Engineering Company of Atlanta was appointed the first project engineer for Three Notch EMC. At this same meeting, Porter Smith was appointed the project surveyor, and he was later promoted to superintendent of operations. The next order of business was the approval of the first loan from REA in the amount of $300,000, which was to be used to construct 279 miles of line to serve 1,370 consumers.
During November and December of 1938 and January of 1939, the Board approved and constructed the first co-op office at a cost of $1,198.75. This was the first co-op-owned office in the United States.
On February 1, 1939, the board of directors held their first meeting in the office of the cooperative and designated the first Wednesday of each month as the date for all future board meetings.
Work began on the first lines, which were expected to be ready by the middle of April, 1939, but many delays occurred. Finally, the great day arrived. On June 1, 1939, electric lights appeared for the first time along the first section of line near Donalsonville. Once the power was on, all the doubters were converted, and everyone wanted power.
What the coming of electricity meant to rural families is captured in this statement of a farmer witnessing in his church in the Tennessee Valley in 1940: “Brothers and sisters, I want to tell you this. The greatest thing on earth is to have the love of God in your heart, and the next greatest thing is to have electricity in your house.”
The first annual meeting of members of Three Notch EMC was held on February 5, 1940. At this meeting, the Board of Directors was increased from seven members to nine.
In the 67 years since its beginning, Three Notch EMC has grown to 14,965 consumer accounts. Our total of energized lines has increased from the original 279 miles to over 2,491 miles. Our consumers have accumulated assets now in excess of $45,405,000. We have been experiencing a steady growth since the beginning of the co-op. The consumers of Three Notch EMC have every right to be proud of their co-op and the strides it has made to improve the quality of life in this area.
