Commending Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative.

Commending Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, in 2026, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative celebrates the 90th anniversary of its incorporation, marking nine decades of service guided by the cooperative principles of local ownership, community commitment, and member-focused innovation; and
WHEREAS, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative was incorporated on August 12, 1936, during the rural electrification movement to bring safe, reliable electric service to residents in mountainous communities of southwestern Virginia who were not served by traditional utilities; and
WHEREAS, since energizing its first lines in 1938, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative has grown into a vital community institution, maintaining more than 1,300 miles of electric distribution line across the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains and national forest lands; and
WHEREAS, headquartered in New Castle, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative remains a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative dedicated to providing reliable and affordable electricity while reinvesting in the communities it serves; and
WHEREAS, building upon its historic mission of connecting rural communities, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative has expanded access to modern infrastructure through initiatives such as its Bee Online Advantage broadband network, helping to bridge the digital divide and support education, health care, and economic opportunity in rural Virginia; and
WHEREAS, over the course of its long history, Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative's line workers and staff have demonstrated exceptional dedication by maintaining electric service in challenging terrain and severe weather conditions, ensuring that residents and businesses remain connected to essential energy infrastructure; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative on the occasion of its 90th anniversary for its longstanding service to the Commonwealth and its ongoing commitment to innovation, community engagement, and the cooperative principles that have guided it since 1936; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for its contributions to rural electrification and community development in the Commonwealth.