Every electric cooperative faces times of change. While implementing new technology or updating infrastructure often happens behind the scenes, changes that directly affect members require something more — clear, consistent communication. 

That was the challenge facing Kankakee Valley REMC as it prepared to transition every residential, commercial, and industrial member to a time-of-use (TOU) rate structure. Cooperative leadership understood that success would depend not only on new metering technology and updated billing systems, but also on helping members understand why the change was occurring and how it could benefit them. 

Rather than treating the transition as a single announcement, Kankakee Valley built a communication campaign that played out over several months. By introducing one concept at a time and using multiple communication channels, the cooperative planned and executed one of its largest member education initiatives in recent years.