Issuu

POWERING TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Students Represent Jackson EMC in Washington, D.C.

AUGUST 2025 | IN THIS ISSUE

ANNUAL MEETING PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED

JACKSON EMC'S SOLAR LEARNING GARDEN IN FULL BLOOM

YOUR BRIGHT IDEA COULD LIGHT UP A CLASSROOM

THE SCHOOL BELL RINGS FOR EVERYONE

There’s something about the back-toschool season that brings out excitement — and maybe a few nerves, too. Whether it’s a kindergartener climbing onto the bus for the first time or a senior picking up their parking pass, that first day sets the tone for a fresh start.

Even though it’s been a while since my kids were in school, I still feel a bit of that buzz every August. I remember those mornings — packing lunches, snapping the “first day” photo (with mixed enthusiasm from my crew), and reminding them to be kind and pay attention. Simple things, but meaningful.

These days, I see the school year starting through a different lens — one that’s focused on how our entire community plays a role in education. Because whether you have a student at home or not, what happens in our schools shapes our neighborhoods, our economy and our future. You don’t have to carry a backpack to be part of back-to-school season. When the school bell rings, it rings for all of us.

At Jackson EMC, we believe education is one of the best investments we can make in our community. That’s why we support schools in lots of different ways, including our Bright Ideas grant program. This initiative is designed for middle school teachers — those incredible educators who can turn a classroom into a stage, a science lab or even a space station.

Since the Bright Ideas grant program began, we’ve awarded more than $550,000 in grants to help educators bring creative learning to life. These projects might involve building a greenhouse, using drones in engineering lessons or turning math class into a crime-solving mystery. They’re not just educational, they’re memorable. They stick with kids in ways that inspire future dreams and discoveries.

Beyond the grants, you’ll often find Jackson EMC employees in schools mentoring, volunteering, reading to students or sharing safety tips. I think that’s one of the best parts of being a local electric cooperative. We’re more than a

service provider — we’re your neighbors and we care deeply about what happens in our hometowns.

Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent or someone cheering from the sidelines, I encourage you to find a way to plug in this school year. Ask a teacher if they need supplies. Encourage a student who seems unsure. Support programs that bring innovation to classrooms. Volunteer to be a youth mentor.

Because when you invest in young people, you’re powering a brighter future for all of us.

Have a story about how a local teacher or school has made an impact in the community? I’d love to hear it. Email me at chip@jacksonemc.com.

CHIP JAKINS President & CEO

GRIMSLEY TO SUCCEED RETIRING BOARD MEMBER THORNTON

Alton Thornton is retiring from the Jackson EMC Board of Directors after 14 years of service. Since joining the board in 2011, he has been instrumental in guiding the cooperative’s growth and communityfocused mission. Thornton is retired from AgGeorgia Farm Credit and is a devoted community servant. During his tenure, Jackson EMC grew to serve more than 270,000 members. He is recognized for his thoughtful leadership, marked by authentic compassion.

"Alton played a key role in leading the cooperative through a period of remarkable growth, always approaching challenges with a visionary outlook," said Jackson EMC Board Chairman Rodney Chandler. "His leadership during this time ensured that expansion was thoughtfully managed with sound financial stewardship and a strong emphasis on delivering value and quality service to our members. His deep care for our employees and members, along with his unwavering dedication to cooperative principles, was reflected in his long-standing record of community service and volunteerism."

Thornton will be succeeded by Mary Grimsley, a widely respected leader recognized for her strong community involvement and dedication to service.

Grimsley is an educator and business owner. She and her husband, Don, own Grimsley Enterprises, Inc. Active in the community, she is a member of the University of Georgia Parents Leadership Council. She serves on the Sisu-Integrated Early Learning board of directors and is a past board member of Spina Bifida Association of Georgia. She is a graduate of Leadership Georgia.

Grimsley is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, a master's degree in reading education, and a certification in gifted education. She previously taught at Trickum Middle School in Lilburn. She and Don live in Gainesville. They have four children, a son-in-law and a grandson. Mary brings the right blend of experience and expertise to serve effectively on the Jackson EMC Board," said Chandler. "She is deeply rooted in the community

and has a clear understanding of what it takes to provide outstanding service. Her strong local ties, prior board involvement, and solid business acumen make her an outstanding candidate for Jackson EMC."

In accordance with Article 3, Section 3 of the Jackson EMC bylaws and to provide for better member representation on the Board, the Board of Directors unanimously changed the allocation of directors among the counties within the Jackson EMC service territory. Notice, as required by the bylaws, is hereby given to the members of such amendment. Representation on the Board of Directors now includes two members from Hall/ Lumpkin counties, two from Jackson County, two from Gwinnett County, one from Barrow County, one from Madison/Clarke/Oglethorpe counties and one from Banks/Franklin counties.

ALTON THORNTON

MARY GRIMSLEY

Annual Meeting Notice

SAVE THE DATE:

JACKSON EMC’S ANNUAL MEETING

September 18, 2025, at 5:00 PM

Jackson EMC | Jefferson, Georgia

Boxed supper, prizes and entertainment

Dear Member,

Official notice is hereby given that the 2025 meeting of the members of Jackson Electric Membership Corporation will be held at the headquarters in Jefferson, Ga., on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

ANNUAL MEETING PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED TO MEMBERS

The Whisnants, a Southern Gospel group, will perform at Jackson EMC’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 18, at the headquarters in Jefferson.

The Whisnant family began singing in 1970 and continued through the generations. The current performers include Jeff and Susan Whisnant, their sons, Austin and Ethan, and Aaron Hise, who joined the group in 2001.

The Whisnants have performed around the world and have been nominated for numerous Gospel music awards. The group has appeared on the Gospel Music Southern Style Program, the Gaither Video Taping and numerous appearances at the National Quartet Convention. The Whisnants have earned 13 number-one songs on Southern Gospel charts, including “If Not For Christ,” which topped the SGN Scoops Top 100 in June 2025.

Registration for the meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. that day and entertainment will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Registration will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m. The chairperson will call the meeting to order at approximately 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to:

1. Receive reports of officers, directors and committees

2. Elect three directors

3. Handle all other business that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

The meeting will feature prizes, entertainment, a box supper, important business and other special programs. Additional details will be available in the September issue of JEMCO News and on our website, jacksonemc.com.

You are invited to attend.

Sincerely,

SHADE STOREY Secretary, Board of Directors

The Whisnants

POWERING TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Students Represent Jackson EMC in Washington, D.C.

Jackson EMC proudly supports the Washington Youth Tour – a youth leadership development program that inspires the next generation of changemakers. This summer, six high school students from Jackson EMC’s service area joined more than 1,600 peers from across the U.S. for an unforgettable week in Washington, D.C.

They explored American history and met national leaders to learn how their voices can shape the future. Delegates representing the nation’s electric cooperatives visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol, where they met Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock.

Delegates were selected for their academic achievement, community service and leadership potential. Jackson EMC selects four delegates. Children of Jackson EMC employees apply through a statewide contest. This year, Georgia EMC selected two statewide delegates from Jackson EMC.

Riley Seau Jr., Chestatee High School

What lesson(s) did you learn on the Washington Youth Tour that will serve you best in life?

“Thanks to the Washington Youth Tour, I learned that being a leader does not mean fitting a stereotypical model. Being a leader means serving your community by using your uniquely-blessed gifts … and making a difference in an authentic, personal way.”

Kinsey Wilder, Jefferson High School

What was your favorite activity on the tour?

“My favorite part was seeing the Library of Congress. I was able to get an official library card and was able to enter the main reading room. This is what most people envision when they think of the largest library in the world – and it was breathtaking!”

Cover photo by Louis Tonsmeire Jr.

Alexa Cabreja, Archer High School

Tell us about your experience meeting other student leaders from Georgia and across the U.S.

“I met so many amazing people on this tour from all over Georgia and the U.S. Together, we talked, ate meals with one another, and shared a lot of laughs and jokes. During this tour a family is made, filled with amazing friendships.”

Josephine Lundy, Cherokee Bluff High School

What was your favorite activity on the tour?

Bennett Hicks, Prince Avenue Christian School

Statewide Delegate Selected by Georgia EMC

Tell us about your experience meeting other student leaders from Georgia and across the U.S.

“Meeting everyone was a truly amazing experience. I got as many phone numbers as I could, so that I could stay in touch with everyone after the tour.”

“The Holocaust Memorial Museum put everything into a surreal perspective. I have always known about the Holocaust, but learning about the emotional aspect and experiencing a fraction of the grief is something that will stay with me forever.”

Reese Sorrow, East Jackson High School

Statewide Delegate Selected by Georgia EMC

What makes your participation in the program unique from other opportunities?

You can learn more about our delegates, or how to be part of the Washington Youth Tour by visiting jacksonemc.com/WYT or scanning the QR code.

“I have never felt so connected to a group of people who only knew each other for a week. By the end of the week, everyone felt like my best friends, which is something special that hasn’t happened in other programs.”

$100,025 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED

The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded a total of $100,025 in grants, including $95,025 to organizations and $5,000 to an individual.

Organizational Grant Recipients:

$10,000 to Adult Literacy Jackson, Inc., Pendergrass, which is dedicated to improving adult literacy, for its GED Testing Program serving residents in Banks, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson and Madison counties.

$10,000 to Books for Keeps, Athens, to purchase books for its Stop Summer Slide program for 371 elementary students in Clarke County to have access to books to read during the summer.

$10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens, Inc., to support its Total Teen Takeover Afterschool Program for middle and high school students in Clarke County.

$10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, Inc., to support its Hall County Afterschool Program for middle and high school students in Hall County.

$10,000 to the Winder-Barrow Club - BGCA to support its Goals for Graduation Afterschool Program for middle and high school students in Barrow County.

$10,000 to the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc., to support teachers participating in an impact lab to help students prepare to enter kindergarten through the Building Babies Brains Program for residents in Gwinnett County.

$10,000 to Junior Achievement of Georgia, Inc., for student materials for its immersive learning experience, Discovery Center at Gwinnett.

$10,000 to YMCA of Metro Atlanta to support five elementary or middle school students participating in its Y Explore Afterschool Program at the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA.

$5,000 to Latina Leads, LLC, Suwanee, which empowers girls with the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to become effective leaders in their communities, for mentorship fees for its Future Leaders: Empowering the Next Generation Program for residents in Gwinnett and Hall counties.

$4,000 to the Ashton Hope Keegan Foundation, Inc., Watkinsville, aiming to break the cycle of generational poverty in the Athens community by helping individuals pursue higher education and gain new skills to improve their lives, for GED fees for its Ashton Sent Us Program for residents in Clarke, Barrow, Franklin, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.

$4,000 to Brenau University, Inc., Gainesville, for its Childcare Access Means Parents in School (CAMPIS) Program to provide counseling support group services to single parents who are enrolled at Brenau University and live in any of the counties served by Jackson EMC.

$2,025 for Casa De Amistad, Inc., Athens, for its GED Class Program to provide instructor support for residents in Clarke, Banks, Barrow, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.

Individual Recipient:

$5,000 for home modifications for a Madison County senior citizen.

COMMUNITY IMPACT: THE MINISTRY VILLAGE

When life gets hard, having someone to turn to makes all the difference. That’s the mission behind The Ministry Village, a community-driven, faith-based organization in Winder dedicated to helping neighbors across Barrow, Clarke, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties heal, grow and thrive.

Founded in 2011 by local pastors, community leaders and caring citizens, The Ministry Village provides professional counseling services to children, teens and adults. With a special focus on families who might not otherwise be able to afford therapy, the organization offers individual, family and marriage counseling, as well as play therapy for young children.

Last year alone, The Ministry Village provided 2,441 hours of counseling services to 278 individuals, demonstrating its growing impact.

With support from a $10,000 grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation, The Ministry Village was able to provide 200 counseling sessions to individuals. That means more neighbors receiving the support they need, when they need it most.

“We’re here for our community,” said Scott Dakin, executive director. “As we continue to grow, we remain focused on healing the mind, body and soul. Mental health affects more than we often realize, and our goal is to ensure that help is available to those who need it most.”

Jackson EMC’s Solar Learning Garden in Full Bloom

When you pass a Jackson EMC office, you’ll see something new— and solar-powered—blooming on our grounds.

Each local office now features a solar flower installation, giving you a real-world look at renewable energy in action. These smart devices open with the sun each morning, follow its path through the day and close at sunset — visibly showing how solar technology captures energy efficiently and reliably.

The installations feed renewable energy into our Cooperative Solar program and help demonstrate how solar can be part of your energy future. It’s all part of our promise to offer you diverse, reliable energy choices that fit your needs.

A Learning Garden for the Community

At our Jefferson office, the Solar Learning Garden brings this initiative to life. More than a visual display, it’s a handson space where you can see solar in action and imagine how it fits into your daily life.

You’ll also find a solar canopy and an electric vehicle (EV) charger—real-world examples of how renewable technology supports the way you live today and where energy is headed tomorrow.

“At Jackson EMC, our renewable strategy is simple: provide members with options to achieve their energy goals through a reliable, diverse energy mix,” says Jonathan Weaver, vice president of engineering and power supply. “The Solar Learning Garden brings that to life by educating members on affordable, renewable options and showing how solar can reduce carbon emissions while staying connected to the grid.”

Cooperative Solar: Energy That Works for You

The Solar Learning Garden and solar canopy are part of our broader Cooperative Solar program, which gives members an easy way to benefit from solar — without needing to install panels at home.

Through Cooperative Solar, Jackson EMC generates solar electricity at office installations and offsite facilities. Participating members receive a monthly usage credit on their bill based on their share of the solar energy produced. It’s a simple, affordable way to support renewables and reduce your carbon footprint — no maintenance or rooftop panels required.

Enrollment is flexible, with options to adjust participation over time. Whether you're solar-curious or ready to dive in, Cooperative Solar puts the power of the sun within reach.

YOUR POWER. YOUR COMMUNITY.

A PUBLICATION FOR JACKSON EMC MEMBERS

JACKSON EMC OFFICES

1000 Dawsonville Highway Gainesville, GA (770) 536-2415

85 Spratlin Mill Road Hull, GA (706) 548-5362

850 Commerce Road Jefferson, GA (706) 367-5281

825 Buford Dr Lawrenceville, GA (770) 963-6166

EMC SECURITY

55 Satellite Blvd., NW Suwanee, GA (770) 963-0305 or (706) 543-4009

@JacksonEMC

jacksonemc.com

Your Bright Idea

COULD LIGHT UP A CLASSROOM

We know it takes passion and creativity to make a lasting impact in the classroom. That’s why our Bright Ideas grant program is here to support educators who go the extra mile to spark learning and curiosity in students.

Jackson EMC is accepting applications for its Bright Ideas grant program for innovative middle school classroom projects — up to $2,000 each. Since 2015, Jackson EMC has awarded more than $550,000 to educators across our service area.

“Your grant gave us a wonderful opportunity this past school year and I truly appreciate it,” said Alfredo Hernandez, a teacher at World Language Academy in Hall County, whose students built two electric vehicles with funds from a Bright Ideas grant.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE?