Bright Ideas
INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION IN OUR COMMUNITY
Have you ever watched students discover something they’re really good at?
It might be solving a problem, building something with their hands or bringing a creative idea to life. There’s a moment when something clicks. Their confidence starts to grow and you can see how it’s going to shape their future.
At Jackson EMC, we believe those moments matter because they shape the community you live in. We’re proud to support opportunities that help students see what they’re capable of and explore what’s possible for their future.
In this issue of JEMCO News, you’ll read about two programs that are making a real difference for local students: the Bright Ideas grant program and the FFA wiring contest. While they may look different on the surface, they share a common goal –helping students gain confidence, build skills and discover new opportunities for their future.
Through Bright Ideas grants, we support middle school teachers who bring creativity and innovation into their classrooms. These grants help turn great ideas into hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and make lessons come alive. Whether it’s a science experiment, a technology project or a creative approach to diving deeper into the lessons, these classroom experiences can open doors to new interests.
We’re also proud of our long-standing support of the FFA wiring contest, where students demonstrate their skills in a realworld setting. This competition challenges students to apply the technical knowledge they learned in the classroom to practical situations. When you see students developing these hands-on skills, you’re seeing the foundation for future careers in skilled trades, engineering and other STEM-related fields.
These programs are just some of the ways we show our commitment to the communities we serve. As a member, you
Affordable Power You Can Count On
Your cooperative ranks No. 2 for the lowest rates among Georgia’s EMCs and remains highly competitive among all electric providers in the state, which saves you money.
Recent data shows Jackson EMC members save an average of $28 per month compared to the statewide average. That means over the course of a year, your membership saves you $336*.
As a not-for-profit cooperative, we focus on providing you with safe, reliable and affordable electricity. In addition to everyday savings on your bill, we also put money back in your pocket through member refunds. Since our founding in 1938, we’ve returned more than $236 million to our members. For more information about member refund checks, visit jacksonemc.com/refunds. It's one more way your membership delivers real value.
help make these opportunities possible. Your cooperative supports programs that go beyond providing electricity – investing in students, schools and the future of your community. Together, we’re helping create opportunities for students to learn, grow and succeed right here at home.
At Jackson EMC, we’re honored to play a small part in helping the next generation discover its potential. Because when students succeed, our communities grow stronger, which benefits all of us. Those moments when students realize what they’re capable of don’t just shape their future – they strengthen the community we share. That’s what being a cooperative is all about – serving you, supporting your community and investing in what matters.
CHIP JAKINS, President & CEO
MONTHLY RESIDENTIAL RATES IN GEORGIA*
Jackson EMC average: $184.78
State average (all utilities): $213.58
*Based on Georgia Public Service Commission Residential Rate Study for Summer 2025 in the category for household electric consumption at 1,500 kWh per month.
RATES IN EFFECT+ Summer
(May-September)
+The Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment, service charge and applicable taxes are also part of your total electric bill.
Wiring the Next Generation for Success
Since 1967, Jackson EMC has partnered with local FFA chapters to host the North Region Area 2 wiring contest that gives local FFA students a hands-on opportunity to learn real-world electrical skills. It’s more than a competition –it’s a chance for students to build confidence, practice safety and explore future career paths.
Working with electricity requires knowledge, precision and a safety-first mindset. Through the EMC/FFA Agricultural Education Career Development Event, students apply what they’ve learned to real scenarios, wiring circuits and troubleshooting problems just like professionals in the field. Experiences like the wiring contest help prepare students for careers in technical fields, from electricians to engineers and other STEM-related professions.
Jackson EMC has a history of supporting youth development, and our long-standing partnership with local FFA chapters helps shape the next generation of skilled workers and leaders.
After winning the regional wiring contest, Banks County High School senior Chance Carver recently won the state competition, which included earning a $1,000 scholarship.
Along with a timed wiring exercise, the competition features a problem-solving written exam and oral presentation.
Carver, who plans to be an electrician, is the fifth Banks County High School student in the past 5 years to win the FFA state wiring contest.
We believe the community’s future starts with today’s students. By investing in opportunities like the wiring contest, we’re helping young people discover their potential and providing them with tools to develop their career paths.
Banks County High School senior Chance Carver (center) won first place in the State EMC/FFA Agricultural Electrification Career Development Event, sponsored by Georgia’s EMCs, including Jackson EMC. He is congratulated by Banks County High School FFA adviser Christopher Crump (left) and Jackson EMC senior community relations representative Karen Ewing (right).
Bright IdeasGRANTS
OPEN DOORS TO HANDS-ON LEARNING
When local teachers have the tools to bring learning to life, students, and the entire community, benefit. Jackson EMC is proud to help turn creative classroom ideas into meaningful learning experiences.
This school year, Jackson EMC awarded $82,144 in Bright Ideas grants to 59 teachers at 29 middle schools, bringing hands-on learning to thousands of students. Since 2015, Jackson EMC has invested more than $700,000 in supporting innovative classroom projects that wouldn’t be funded otherwise.
Jan Ewing is one of 59 educators to receive a Bright Ideas grant this school year. Her 30 years of theatre experience in set design and production helped bring her eighth graders’ ideas to life at Da Vinci Academy at South Hall Middle School, founded as a museum school 16 years ago.
Ewing’s eighth-grade students created museum-style exhibits focused on water features across Georgia, including Lake Lanier. Students didn’t just complete a project—they became researchers, designers and guides, leading more than 3,600 elementary and middle school students, along with parents and community leaders,
through an exhibit that highlighted the many uses of water in Georgia and beyond.
“The Bright Ideas grant allowed my students to explore a variety of water-related topics through guided research and the inquiry process,” said Ewing. “Bright Ideas grants help transform students from passive learners into active creators, thinkers and problem-solvers.”
At Jackson EMC, we’re committed to powering potential in the communities we serve. Bright Ideas grants give local educators the resources to turn creative concepts into meaningful learning experiences – from interactive science experiments to imaginative, student-led projects that can inspire curiosity and build confidence. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year Bright Ideas grants will open in July.
LEARN MORE AT JACKSONEMC.COM/BRIGHTIDEAS.
$82,144
A TOTAL OF AWARDED THROUGH THE BRIGHT IDEAS GRANT PROGRAM DURING THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
from a
grant to help fund a portion of an immersive program.
DaVinci Academy students recently benefited
Bright Ideas
BrightGrantIdeasWinners
BARROW COUNTY
Barrow Arts & Innovation Magnet Program
April Balenger, $1,000
Bear Creek Middle School
Kimberly Wilson, $1,550
Haymon-Morris Middle School
Chris Chapman, $1,556; Melissa Fowler, $2,000; and Russell Hodsdon, $907
Russell Middle School
Maria Montalvo, $2,000; and Elizabeth Zirbel, $332
Westside Middle School
Gregory Slusher, $1,972
GWINNETT COUNTY
Coleman Middle School
Brad Zickefoose, $1,975; Kayoung Mullins, $196; and Wayne Dail, $1,850
Creekland Middle School
Everett Paulk, $1,965; Natosha Rucker, $1,520; and Yolanda Rivera-Suarez, $2,000
Dacula Middle School
Celisa Edwards, $1,010; and Hanna Carter, $1,945
Duluth Middle School
Deepa Pendalwar, $1,835; and Diane Rice, $2,000
Hull Middle School
Aimee Burgamy, $828; Cameron McDonald, $2,000; Celia Ayenesazan, $2,000; and Michelle Morgan, $2,000
Jones Middle School
Gerardo Serrano, $1,192; and Hillary Jones, $1,620
Jordan Middle School
Stacey Edison-Bryson, $1,760
Lilburn Middle School
Naveed Khan, $1,000; and Sheryl Patrick, $360
Northbrook Middle School
Tashana Gayle, $1,400
Twin Rivers Middle School
Yolanda Letman, $1,635
MADISON COUNTY
Madison County Middle School
Justin Youngblood, $2,000
LUMPKIN COUNTY
Lumpkin County Middle School
Brandy Phillips, $160; and William Mayfield, $1,794
HALL COUNTY
DaVinci Academy
Jan Ewing, $1,997
East Hall Middle School
Chelsea Miller, $630; and Maggie Dyer, $580
C.W. Davis Middle School
Kristin Garner, $800; Lisa Jones, $1,205; and Victoria Marsh, $1,254
Chestatee Academy
Megan Ensley, $857
Gainesville Middle School
David Schultz, $1,925; Dory Moore, $2,000; and Jane Humble, $1,065
West Hall Middle School
Lynn Aniskiewicz, $1,988
World Language Academy
Alfredo Hernandez, $2,000
JACKSON COUNTY
Commerce Middle School
Kendal O'Lenick, $476
East Jackson Middle School
Frances Kwiatkowski, $484; James Faulkner, $900; Amelia Johnson-Scofield, $1,925; Bucky Sorrow, $1,959; and Heather Nations, $1,040
Jefferson Middle School
Keisha Hamilton, $1,350; Lauren Miller, $1,592; and Sheila House, $990
Legacy Knoll Middle School
Chandler Dickerson, $1,960; and Quentin Hendrix, $1,941
West Jackson Middle School
Adam Shoe, $1,785; Debbie Oglesby, $392; Kellee Gooch, $600; and Pamela Parker, $1,087
Contributions in the Community
Thanks to your participation in Operation Round Up, lives are being changed right here in our community. A recent Jackson EMC Foundation grant is helping Acceptance Recovery Center continue its work supporting individuals with substance use disorders on their path to recovery.
The Athens-based organization shared, “Your small change is making a HUGE difference for our residents.” It’s a reminder that even small contributions add up in meaningful ways.
As a Jackson EMC member, you’re part of something bigger – neighbors helping neighbors. Through your participation in Operation Round Up and Jackson EMC Foundation grants awarded to local nonprofits, you’re helping to make a lasting impact in the lives of others.
OPERATION ROUND UP ® : YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
$81,070 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED
The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded grants to organizations totaling $81,070.
Organizational Grant Recipients:
$8,240 to Athens Community Council on Aging, Inc., for its Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program to provide health screenings and training for caregivers in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson and Madison counties.
$8,000 to Fresh Wind Recovery, Athens, to provide addiction recovery services for low-income residents in Barrow, Clarke, Hall, Jackson, Madison and Oglethorpe counties.
$8,000 to Helping Mamas, Inc., Norcross, for its Diaper Distribution Program to purchase diapers for families in need in Gwinnett, Hall and Lumpkin counties.
$7,500 to Adventure Bags, Winder, for its One Bag at a Time Program to purchase bookbags and supplies for children facing crisis situations in Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties.
$6,750 to Love.Craft Athens, to provide work force development and therapeutic services for adults with disabilities in Clarke, Jackson and Madison counties.
$5,000 to Athens-Oconee CASA, Athens, for training volunteers to be court-appointed advocates for children in foster care in Clarke County.
$5,000 to Friends of Disabled Adults and Children Too, Inc., for its Home Medical Equipment Program to provide refurbished medical equipment to individuals in need in need throughout Jackson EMC's service area.
$5,000 to Hall-Dawson CASA Program, Inc., Gainesville, for training volunteers to be court-appointed advocates for children in foster care in Hall County.
$5,000 to Piedmont CASA, Jefferson, for training volunteers to be court-appointed advocates for children in foster care in Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties.
$5,000 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Belmont Chapter), Gainesville, for its No Kid Sleeps on the Floor Program to provide supplies for volunteers to build beds for children in need in Hall and Jackson counties.
$5,000 to Wellspring Living, Inc., for its Gwinnett-Based Women’s Residential Program to provide mental health sessions for women in Gwinnett and Hall counties who are survivors of sexual exploitation.
$4,500 to Project Safe, Inc., Athens, for its Home Safety Equipment Program to provide safety kits for survivors of domestic violence in Madison and Oglethorpe counties.
$3,600 to Moms Adopting Moms, Inc., Athens, for its Bio Mom Peer Mentorship Program to provide support for the reunification of biological mothers and their children in foster care in Clarke, Jackson and Madison counties facing substance abuse, poverty and housing instability.
$2,480 to Revved Up Kids, Inc., for its Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program to provide training with partnership organizations in Gwinnett County.
$2,000 to 360 Love Healing and Abundance Corp., Gainesville, for its Intergenerational Workshops Program to provide financial literacy lessons for individuals in Hall County.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO APPLY FOR A JACKSON EMC FOUNDATION GRANT, JACKSONEMC.COM/FOUNDATION
Philly Steak Sandwich Rolls
“EVERYONE ENJOYS IT WHEN WE HAVE FRIENDS AND FAMILY OVER TO EAT. IT’S A QUICK AND EASY PLEASER!”
-AMY MCKENZIE, Comer
INGREDIENTS:
tbs. olive oil 1 1/2 3
lb. of beef or venison sirloin, cut into strips
tsp each of the following spices: salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, thyme, marjoram and basil
DIRECTIONS:
FEATURED RECIPE WINNERS WILL RECEIVE A $200 GROCERY STORE GIFT CARD AND A HAND MIXER
onion, sliced green, red or yellow bell pepper, sliced oz. Swiss cheese Hoagie rolls 1 1 3 4
Place meat in a large bowl. Mix seasonings in a small bowl. Sprinkle seasonings over meat. Heat half of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute meat to medium and remove from the pan. Sauté onions and peppers in remaining oil.
Preheat the oven to broiler setting. Divide the meat and place on the bottoms of the rolls. Layer onion and peppers on top of meat. Top with cheese slices. Place on baking sheet and broil (or use air fryer) until the cheese is melted. Place tops on rolls.
SEND US YOUR BEST RECIPES: RECIPES@JACKSONEMC.COM OR MAIL TO: COOPERATIVE COOKING | JACKSON EMC | PO BOX 38 | JEFFERSON, GA 30549 FIND RECIPES AT JACKSONEMC.COM/RECIPES.
Protect Your Home from Overloaded Circuits
Your safety matters to us. Overloaded electrical circuits are one of the leading causes of house fires. The good news is there are simple steps you can take to protect your home and family.
During National Electrical Safety Month in May, take a few moments to check how you’re using outlets in your home.
• Avoid using extension cords or multi-outlet adapters for major appliances.
• Only use one appliance, like a space heater, per outlet at a time.
• If you rely heavily on extension cords or power strips, it may be time to have a qualified electrician install additional outlets.
It’s also important to recognize warning signs that your circuits may be overloaded. Pay attention if you notice:
• Buzzing sounds or burning odors from outlets or switches
• Outlet wall plates that feel warm or look discolored
• Circuit breakers that trip frequently
• Lights that flicker, blink or dim
If you experience any of these signs, contact a qualified electrician right away. Addressing these issues early can help prevent more serious problems.
Taking small steps today can make a big difference in protecting what matters most.
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
Easy Summer Savings
Start with Sync to Save
Stay cool and save this summer with Sync to Save from Jackson EMC. When you enroll your smart thermostat, you’ll help the cooperative lower energy use during peak times and you’ll earn rewards along the way.
Sign up today and receive a $50 incentive, plus a $25 bill credit each year you’re enrolled. It’s an easy way to lower your energy costs while supporting your co-op.
Eligible smart thermostats include Google Nest, Emerson Sensi, ecobee and Honeywell Home.
Enroll your smart thermostat in Sync to Save at jacksonemc.com/synctosave or scan this QR code
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