So, if you’re looking for relationship advice — it may surprise you, but you’ve stumbled into the right place. We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: we are not licensed therapists, nor do we have any on staff. But we are the first and oldest Rural Electric Cooperative formed in the United States, so it’s fair to say that we’ve collected some relationship wisdom over the years. From the very beginning, we here at ACE knew the insurmountable value of solid and long-lasting relationships, so we’re thrilled to share our story of how we met our better half with you today.
What could an electric cooperative possibly know about relationships?
Well, you could say we’ve been going platonically steady with Rural America for a solid eighty-seven years now. But, sure, not every day is perfect and easy. Things were uncertain at the start. Our relationship with Rural America wasn’t recognized as a relationship at all until deemed a successful experiment — “The Corinth Experiment.”
The “experiment” began like many relationships do, with a fateful meeting at a furniture store. This meeting was revolutionary because, in the 1930s, direct current electricity was as scarcely supplied to rural populations as high-speed internet services are today. Presley continues:
Back then, electricity was changing lives and opening opportunities for those who had it, and rapidly closing the door on those who did not. At that time, rural Mississippi was literally in the dark – people had no electricity, cooked on wood stoves, washed clothes on scrub boards, hand-pumped water from wells, and studied by candlelight.
Thankfully, Corinth, Mississippi, was determined to find its spark. So instead of sitting in the dark and waiting for a phone call that would never come, the citizens of Corinth worked together and created a model that electrified Rural America — winning its heart forever.
Okay. I’m Invested. What happened next?
You’ll find no predictable, run-of-the-mill rom-com plot here. So, if you didn’t expect a world leader to play a significant role in our romantic story of the ages, you’re in for a surprise here too.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt deemed “The Corinth Experiment” a success. His visit to Mississippi celebrated Corinth’s role in the successful launch of the rural electrification juggernaut known as the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Overcome with appreciation, Roosevelt publicly praised Corinth with these kind words: “I want to congratulate you and tell you how happy I am in hearing about the fine public spirit that Corinth and Alcorn County are showing to the United States of America.”
So, what’s the secret to a long-lasting relationship?
Our secret? Well, there’s not one. We told you that we’re not therapists, and definitely not love gurus. But we hope that our story of success will inspire others.
From our experience — a strong relationship needs to be a mutual partnership and an epic friendship at the very least. We banded together with Rural America in 1934 because that’s where our friends, coworkers, neighbors, and loved ones live. We’re still here, delivering top-speed fiber internet to Rural America today, and we’ll be here as long as it’ll have us.
