Santee Electric Cooperative was recently awarded the Industry of the Year award from the Williamsburg HomeTown Chamber. The award was presented during the annual chamber banquet by representative of Congressman James E. Clyburn's office, Kenneth Barns. Santee Electric Board of Directors Vice Chairman Andy D. McKnight accepted the award on behalf of the Cooperative.

In his remarks, Barns said, Santee Electric Cooperative serves about 34,150 members and covers a 2,005 square mile territory. Unlike other successful industries, they are not focused on making a profit, rather this industry concentrates on meeting the needs of members in the community. SEC was charted in 1939 for rural families in Florence, Clarendon, Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. In fact it was a group of farmers who met to charter this company with the goal of bringing electricity to their homes. In 1940 the first lights came on through 110 miles of lines to serve 200 members. Seventy Eight years later, the company has grown to serve 34,150 members scattered over 5,500 miles of line in the four county service area. SEC serves the largest land area of a South Carolina Cooperative, about one third more than the next largest area. Employees with excellent work ethics and dedication to members are diligent in their efforts to provide the latest technology and the best electric service at the lowest possible price.  In fact, it's the dedicated employees that have worked day and night to restore power to members following the Ice Storm of 2014, the flood of 2015 and the Hurricane of 2016. Besides providing electricity to its members, SEC supports the communities through many educational opportunities, sponsorships, donations and gifts.