Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative: Powering Rural Southwest Arkansas Since 1937

Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative (REA) has been the trusted electric service provider for Nashville, Arkansas, and its surrounding rural communities for over eight decades. Operating from its headquarters in Nashville, this member-owned cooperative focuses on serving the unique electrical needs of residential, commercial, and agricultural customers across its extensive service territory.

Key Services for Homes and Businesses

The cooperative provides essential electric services tailored to the rural landscape of southwest Arkansas.

Electric Inspection and Installation

This includes safety inspections for older homes in historic districts and new service installations for agricultural expansions. These services are vital for properties around local landmarks like the Howard County Courthouse and the Nashville City Park, ensuring systems meet current codes.

Lighting Solutions

The cooperative installs and maintains light fixtures and offers security lighting options. This is particularly important for businesses along the Highway 27 commercial corridor and for farmsteads in the outlying areas of Genoa and Mineral Springs.

Energy Programs

Southwest Arkansas Electric REA provides net metering for solar energy users and promotes energy efficiency. These programs help customers manage costs amidst the region's hot, humid summers and mild but occasionally icy winters.

Areas Served Across Southwest Arkansas

The cooperative's primary service zone includes the core community of Nashville and key local neighborhoods such as the residential areas near Nashville High School, the properties along East 2nd Street, and the developments near the Nashville Industrial Park.

Its extended service area covers a wide region, including Camden, De Queen, Mena, Waldron, Prescott, Smackover, Murfreesboro, Stamps, Hampton, Waldo, Mineral Springs, Genoa, and Mount Ida. The team possesses deep operational familiarity with the varied infrastructure, from older post-war homes in Prescott to newer constructions in developing areas.

Company History and Local Roots

Founded in 1937, Southwest Arkansas Electric REA was established to bring reliable electricity to the rural parts of the region. Its growth has paralleled the development of communities like Nashville and De Queen. Key milestones include the expansion of its service lines to support the local timber and agricultural economic base. The cooperative's continued operation from its Nashville headquarters underscores its long-term commitment to the area.

Leadership and Team

The cooperative is led by a locally-based board and management team holding professional credentials specific to Arkansas's utility regulations. Many team members are long-term residents of the communities they serve. The cooperative is an active participant in state and regional trade associations governing rural electrification. Its team composition reflects a commitment to local hiring within its service territory.

Community-Specific Specializations

• Expertise in servicing electrical systems in homes built from the 1940s through the 1970s, common in neighborhoods throughout Nashville and Camden.
• Preparedness for increased service demands during seasonal events like the Howard County Fair and periods of high agricultural activity.
• Efficient protocols for coordinating with local utility authorities and navigating county-specific permit processes across its multi-county service area.
• Established response plans adapted to the rural geography and road networks of southwest Arkansas to address outages quickly.

Local Reputation and Reliability

Southwest Arkansas Electric Cooperative's longevity as a provider since 1937 distinguishes it from other market entrants. Patterns of multi-generational service to families and businesses across towns like Murfreesboro and Hampton demonstrate deep community integration. The cooperative maintains consistency in meeting the specific electrical codes and inspection standards required across different municipalities in its territory. Its operational model is specifically adapted to the challenges of maintaining and expanding infrastructure in a widespread, rural region, ensuring reliable power for its members.