- City:
- Graceville, FL
- Site Type:
- Electricity, Infrastructure and Utilities
- New Deal Agencies:
- Rural Electrification Administration (REA), Public Works Funding
- Started:
- 1937
- Completed:
- 1939
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Marked:
- Unknown
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The West Florida Electric Cooperative was founded in Graceville, Florida, in 1937 with a loan from the federal Rural Electrical Administration (REA). It was one of hundreds of successful coops aided by the New Deal to bring electricity to unserved rural areas.
“West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc. was formed on December 10, 1937 by 712 rural residents who banded together and borrowed $194,000 from REA to build the original 262 miles of power lines to serve the area. Actual day-to-day operation of the co-op began in 1939” (West Florida Electric).
As of 2024, West Florida Electric is still serving rural Floridians.
Source notes
"About Us," West Florida Electric (accessed July 28, 2024).
Candace G. Croft, When the Lights Came On, Graceville, FL: West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., 2012.
Site originally submitted by Brent McKee on July 28, 2024.
Site Details
| Federal Cost |
|---|
| $194,000.00 |
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