Archived Press Releases

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2007
Contact: Heidi Smith, Director of Public Relations, Tideland Electric Membership Corporation, Direct Office Line: (252) 944-2410; Cell (252) 945-7891 or E-mail: heidismith@tidelandemc.com

Pantego, NC – To encourage small business development, Tideland Electric Membership Corporation has launched an online training Web site for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The online academy, SmallBizU, is the first of its kind, offering 20 core classes on the essentials of money, marketing and management, providing the real world tools and information needed for success.

“Anyone interested in taking a course can click on the SmallBizU link on our web site, free of charge, and go straight to a self-tutorial that covers every facet of small business start-ups,” said Bill Stacy, Tideland EMC’s chief executive officer. “It is also a wonderful tool for high school teachers to use in business education classes.”

Courses range from beginner level classes such as Marketing 101 and Finding Money, to more advanced courses such as Market Insight and Research and Strategic Planning and Execution. Other course offerings include Creating a Loan Package, Pricing and Strategy Tactics, Crafting a Business Plan and many more.

Small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employers, employ more than half of all private sector employees, and pay almost 50 percent of total U.S. private payroll. “Small businesses generate 60 to 80 percent of the nation’s new jobs annually,” remarked Stacy. “We can’t afford to overlook small business when it comes to economic development.”

The courses are Web-accessed and self-tutorial in format, typically ranging from 170 to 200 slides presented over a three to four hour period. Course presentations require Web access through a Windows PC and Internet Explorer. SmallBizU can be accessed through a link on Tideland EMC’s Web site homepage: www.tidelandemc.com.

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Tideland EMC publishes history book

For Immediate Release: January 8, 2007
Contact: Heidi Smith, Director of Public Relations, Tideland Electric Membership Corporation, Direct Office Line: (252) 944-2410; Cell (252) 945-7891 or E-mail: heidismith@tidelandemc.com

Pantego ¾ Tideland Electric Membership Corporation has quite a story to tell and now it’s available for reading. The electric cooperative has published its history in a new 138-page book entitled “Real People. Real Power.” It traces Tideland’s roots back to 1935 with the formation of Pamlico Power and Light in Engelhard by P.D. Midgett, Jr. It goes on to discuss other rural electric pioneers like Bill Bulluck who managed Beaufort County’s Woodstock EMC; Herbert Harris, Sr. who presided over Pamlico-Beaufort EMC based in Grantsboro, and R.S. “Stanley” Wahab who persuaded fellow islanders to form Ocracoke EMC. By the late 1970s all four companies had merged to form Tideland EMC. Today the not-for-profit cooperative serves over 22,000 accounts in Washington, Hyde, Beaufort, Pamlico, Dare and Craven counties.

“The Tideland story is one of service: those in need of service and those who have committed themselves to providing that service for over 70 years,” remarked Tideland chief executive officer Bill Stacy. “That’s why we chose the title “Real People. Real Power.” It’s a tribute to the men and women, members and employees, who did more than electrify rural areas. They brought hope and opportunity to entire communities.”

The book was compiled and authored by Heidi Jernigan Smith, Tideland’s director of public relations. “This first printing is really a jumping off point. We hope, now that it’s published and readily available, to hear from people throughout the communities we serve who may have a story, photo or information to add.” said Smith. Plans are already in place to print an expanded edition in 2008.

Tideland EMC is distributing copies of “Real People. Real Power.” to all the libraries in the counties it serves. A limited number of copies will also be made available for sale by calling the cooperative at 252-943-3046. Books will sell for $15 each plus $3 for shipping. Anyone wishing to contribute materials to the planned second edition should call Heidi Jernigan Smith at 252-944-2410 or by email: heidismith@tidelandemc.com

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TIDELAND EMC ENERGIZES LOCAL EDUCATORS

For Immediate Release: November 26, 2007

GREENVILLE – Tideland Electric Membership Corporation presented over $12,000 in Bright Ideas grants to 11 area teachers at an awards dinner in Greenville on Wednesday, November 29^th.

“The Bright Ideas grant program was established to encourage innovation in the classroom,” said Bill Stacy, Tideland’s chief executive officer. “In 12 years North Carolina’s electric co-ops have given more than $5 million to support educational initiatives in all subject areas.”

Receiving grants from Tideland EMC were: Dawn Wilson, Northeast Elementary, “Learning Literature, Making Music”; Alida Bron Sawyer, John Cotton Tayloe Elementary, “It’s About Time”; Bridget Bilbro, John Cotton Tayloe Elementary, “Picture Me Learning”; Deb Van Staalduinen, Terra Ceia Christian School, “Blast Off Into Reading!”; Revonda Godley, Chocowinity Primary, “Rock N Roll”; Elizabeth Adams, Northside High School, “My Buddy and Me: Healthy Together”; Roxanne Beamon, Eastern Elementary, “Welcome to the Lightbulb Lab”; Katherine Norris, Beaufort County Ed-Tech, “Point, Click and Write”; Linda Boyd, Pungo Christian Academy, “An Appetite for Art”; Adam Burleson, Ocracoke School, “Healthy Heart Adventure Challenge Course”; and Lois Moye, Pamlico County High School, “HydroMath and Neuse Juice.”

Teachers interested in a Bright Ideas classroom grant should visit the application site: www.ncbrightideas.com.

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Doug Rye’s “Home Remedies” Airing Sundays

For Immediate Release: September 4, 2006

Tideland Electric Membership Corporation and the Beasley Broadcast Group are pleased to announce the return of “Home Remedies” to eastern North Carolina’s airwaves. The show is broadcast every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. on Talk 1070 AM. The 1 hour radio show is hosted by nationally renowned energy expert Doug Rye. A licensed architect, Rye has more than 30 years experience designing energy efficient homes. He has been hosting his own radio show since 1991. Today “Home Remedies” airs on stations in 14 states. Rye also hosts energy seminars nationwide and provides consulting services from his office in Benton, Arkansas.

“We are excited to have Doug Rye back on the radio in eastern North Carolina,” said Tideland EMC chief executive officer, Bill Stacy. ““Home Remedies” is a great resource for learning how to reduce home energy bills.”

Tideland Electric Membership Corporation is a not-for-profit utility serving 22,000 accounts in a six-county area. Talk 1070 WNCT-AM is a 50,000 watt station owned by the Beasley Broadcast Group.

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Tideland Electric Sets New Power Record

For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 20, 2005

Contact: Heidi Jernigan Smith, Director of Public Relations
252.943.2188, EXT. 1140; HEIDISMITH@TIDELANDEMC.COM

Pantego ¾ Tideland Electric Membership Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Bill Stacy reports that the company set a peak demand record this week. On Wednesday, January 19, at 7 a.m., the electric cooperative delivered 86.68 megawatts of power to its 21,000 consumers in a six county area. The previous record was set on August 24,2002, at 3:45 p.m. when the co-op delivered 82.907 megawatts of power.

“What makes this new record so unusual is that Tideland Electric has traditionally been a summer peaking cooperative,” explained Stacy. “We generally reach these system peaks when temperatures are high and the tourist season is in full swing.”

Stacy attributes this January record breaker to cold temperatures and increased use of electric heat. “Three out of every four new homes built on our electric system today are equipped with high efficiency heat pumps,” he remarked. “Fortunately, we were able to forecast this trend and in the last six years increased our total system capacity to 125 megawatts. We can easily meet the needs of our rapidly growing service territory.”

Tideland EMC has seen its annual power sales increase from $22 million in 1998 to $28 million in 2003. The member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serves Hyde, Dare, Craven, Beaufort, Pamlico and Washington counties.

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Tideland EMC Returns Over $306,000 To Members in 2004

For Immediate Release: January 2005

Contact: Heidi Jernigan Smith, Director of Public Relations
252.943.2188, EXT. 1140; HEIDISMITH@TIDELANDEMC.COM

Pantego ¾ Tideland Electric Membership Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Bill Stacy recently announced a general retirement of capital credits totaling $227,380. Members of the co-op during fiscal years 1983 and 2003 were included in the refund. Capital credit checks were mailed to former members of the electric cooperative if the amount exceeded $10. Active members received a check during the month of December if their electric account is current and their refund was at least $10. All others received a credit on their electric bill.
“Our finances remain healthy and we were able to comfortably return these funds to our members,” remarked Stacy. Since 1993, Tideland EMC has returned more than $3.25 million in capital credits to its membership. Together with refunds to the estates of deceased members the total refunded in 2004 exceeded $306,000.

“We’re particularly pleased that the vast majority of these funds end up back in the local economy especially during the holiday season,” Stacy continued.

Tideland EMC is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative providing service at cost. Therefore, any funds remaining after all expenses have been paid are returned to Tideland EMC members and former members through a series of capital credit refunds. The amount returned to an individual account holder is based on the total amount they paid for electricity during the year for which the refund is made.

Unclaimed capital credits are eventually forwarded to North Carolina Escheats at the State Treasurer’s office. Former members and anyone handling the estate of a deceased Tideland member should contact the cooperative at 1-800-637-1079 to determine the status of capital credit balances.

Tideland EMC serves 22,000 accounts in six eastern North Carolina counties.

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$250,000 Stocking Stuffer for Tideland Members

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 16, 2004

Contact: Heidi Jernigan Smith, Director of Public Relations
252.943.2188, EXT. 140; HEIDISMITH@TIDELANDEMC.COM

Pantego ¾ Tideland Electric Membership Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Bill Stacy has announced a general retirement of capital credits totaling $250,000. Members of the co-op during fiscal years 1982 and/or 2002 will be included in the refund. Capital credit checks will be mailed to former members of the electric cooperative if the amount exceeds $10. Active members will receive a check if their electric account is current and their refund is at least $10. All others will receive a credit on their electric bill.
“Despite nearly $1.7 million in Hurricane Isabel clean-up costs, our finances remained healthy enough to comfortably return these funds to our members,” remarked Stacy. Since 1993, Tideland EMC has returned $3 million in capital credits to its membership.

“We’re particularly pleased that the vast majority of these funds will be recirculated in our local economies,” Stacy continued.

Tideland EMC serves 22,000 accounts in six eastern North Carolina counties.

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For Immediate Release: January 8, 2007 Contact: Heidi Smith, Director of Public Relations, Tideland Electric Membership Corporation, Direct Office Line: (252) 944-2410; Cell (252) 945-7891 or E-mail: heidismith@tidelandemc.com

Doug Rye’s “Home Remedies” Airing Sundays

For Immediate Release: September 4, 2006

Tideland Electric Sets New Power Record

For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 20, 2005

For Immediate Release: January 2005

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 16, 2004

For Immediate Release: January 8, 2007
Contact: Heidi Smith, Director of Public Relations, Tideland Electric Membership Corporation, Direct Office Line: (252) 944-2410; Cell (252) 945-7891 or E-mail: heidismith@tidelandemc.com