Harnessing the power of cooperatives for rural Nevada

Submitted by USDA Rural Development Cooperative Services

Rural cooperatives have long been the lifeblood of our nation, providing essential goods and services that help rural communities not just survive but thrive. Here in Nevada, these cooperatives support everything from energy to agriculture, healthcare, and local businesses, playing a vital role in fostering rural prosperity.

This October, as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of National Cooperative Month, we reflect on the importance of cooperatives. These unique organizations are owned and controlled by the very people who use their services, ensuring that they prioritize the needs of their members over profits for outside investors. Cooperatives build local wealth and foster long-term sustainability, making them a powerful tool for economic development in rural areas.

The cooperative model is democratic, time-tested, and resilient. It enables local communities to work together to meet their economic needs, filling gaps where traditional businesses often don’t reach. Whether it’s providing access to healthcare, affordable housing, or clean energy, cooperatives are vital to the health of our rural communities.

As I’ve traveled throughout rural Nevada, I’ve met with cooperative members who are deeply engaged in their communities. Their passion for improving the quality of life in their hometowns is inspiring, and I’ve seen firsthand how cooperatives have stepped up to address critical needs. These efforts have been made possible in part through USDA Rural Development’s support. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has invested over $17 billion in loans and grants to strengthen cooperatives, advance rural prosperity, and promote equity.

One example of this commitment in action is the Valley Electric Association, which plans to use an $80.3 million investment to install a 37-megawatt solar power generation and storage system. This project will serve Pahrump and the Fish Lake Valley region, strengthening the energy grid, lowering rates for cooperative members, and ensuring critical services remain powered. The system will generate enough electricity to power 3,500 homes, and it’s part of the Rural Partners Network (RPN), a USDA-led initiative that helps underserved communities access federal funding.

Another cooperative leading the way is the Harney Electric Cooperative, which is using a $13.3 million investment to finance a 5-megawatt solar power facility. This project will provide enough electricity to power approximately 530 homes annually in Nevada and Oregon and will directly support RPN communities in the state. These efforts are emblematic of how cooperatives are stepping up to meet the needs of their members while advancing toward a clean energy future.

The cooperative model has a long history of responding to the unique needs of rural America. In the early 1900s, rural electric cooperatives transformed the American landscape, bringing power to rural areas when investor-owned utilities declined to do so. Thanks to their ingenuity, and with the help of federal funding, 90% of America was electrified in just 15 years—from 1935 to 1950.

Today, rural electric cooperatives serve 42 million Americans, powering 56% of the nation’s land area, including many of the most underserved and persistently poor regions. This legacy continues, with cooperatives now at the forefront of clean energy efforts. Earlier this year, President Biden announced $7.3 billion in financing for rural electric cooperatives through the Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. This marks the largest investment in rural electrification since the 1936 Rural Electrification Act.

In Nevada, investments like those in Valley Electric and Harney Electric cooperatives demonstrate the power of the cooperative model to meet today’s challenges. From providing clean, affordable energy to offering essential services like housing, childcare, and financial support, cooperatives are essential to the well-being of rural communities.

Nationally, there are more than 30,000 cooperatives, generating $700 billion in revenue and supporting over 2 million jobs. These organizations are built to last—24% of agricultural co-ops are over 100 years old, and 77% have been in operation for more than 50 years.

In Nevada, we work hard to ensure that rural communities can take full advantage of USDA Rural Development programs designed to support cooperatives. By partnering with cooperatives, we help create sustainable economic prosperity in our rural towns.

This year’s theme for National Cooperative Month, “The Future is Cooperative,” reflects the growing role cooperatives play in expanding clean energy, fostering economic opportunities, and improving the quality of life in rural America. In Nevada, this theme resonates as we work with cooperatives to shape a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to join the international community in celebrating 2025 as the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives, recognizing the crucial role cooperatives play in addressing systemic challenges globally—from economic inequality to climate change.

In Nevada, we remain committed to supporting our rural cooperatives as they build stronger communities, meet their members’ needs, and create opportunities for prosperity. The success of our rural cooperatives is critical to the success of Nevada and our nation—when rural communities thrive, all of America benefits.

For more information on resources available for cooperatives, visit USDA Rural Development Cooperative Services or contact our Nevada office at (775) 887-1222.