Salt River Electric was incorporated in April of 1937 by five community-minded men who wanted to bring the power of electricity to their friends and neighbors throughout Bullitt, Nelson, Spencer, and Washington counties. The founding
came less than 2 year after the establishment of the Rural Electrification Administration by order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Those men, W.M. Seay, W.F. Thompson, G.S. Greear, Ack Harned and J.A. Wathen, established the
Salt River Electric Cooperative Corporation, paving the way for thousands of rural Kentuckians to take advantage of electricity. Though many things have changed here as you’ll see below, Salt River Electric remains committed to providing
affordable, timely electricity to our members.
Salt River RECC crews from 1948
Salt River RECC is established
April 12, 1937
Five men, M.W. Seay, G.S. Greear, J.A. Wathen, W.F. Thompson, and Ack Harned, meet at Federal Building in Downtown Bardstown to incorporate the electric cooperative.
Received loan of $315,000
August 2, 1937
Co-op receives REA loan of $315,000 from the federal government.
First monthly rates set
December 17, 1937
Minimum monthly rate of $3. Service was available for the use of electric lighting, appliances, cooking, and for the operation of small motors (less than 5hp). Also approved construction of the co-op’s first transmission distribution lines: 17 miles in Washington County, 9 miles in Bullitt County, 30 miles in Nelson County.
First lines are energized in Nelson County
February 10, 1938
Power is provided to more than 1,000 member in Nelson County
First annual meeting for Salt River members
June 25, 1938
Meeting held at Humphrey Miller’s farm, located 8 miles NE of Bardstown.
James S. Broaddus becomes manager of the co-op
March 1, 1944
Broaddus would remain manager until his retirement in 1974.
Current Bardstown office opens
June 21, 1947
Open house for members is held
Co-op is third largest in the state in terms of line
June 30, 1949
Salt River boasts 4,500 members using an average of 154 kilowatt per hour
Salt River publishes first issue of “Co-Amp News”
July 1, 1953
4-page newsletter is sent monthly to Salt River members
M.W. Seay, first board president and a co-op founder, dies
June 30, 1957
Son David Seay replaces father as Nelson County director
Bardstown office is renovated and expanded
June 30, 1958
New meeting space is added, as well as a new, all-electric kitchen
First drive-thru window is added in Bardstown
June 30, 1963
Annual meeting attendance peaks
August 4, 1965
The two day events brings in a total of 18,000 individuals.
First co-op sponsored scholarships are awarded.
August 4, 1966
The two scholarships are awarded at $500 each
Group of linemen permanently assigned to Bullitt Co.
June 30, 1969
At the direction of J.S. Broaddus, six men are assigned to the area.
Clermont substation is constructed
June 30, 1972
New addition brings the co-op’s total to 12 substations serving members.
J.S. Broaddus resigns as manager
June 30, 1975
Due to declining health, Broaddus resigns after 30 year at the helm.
George Seyle become manager
July 1, 1975
Replaced the outgoing Broaddus.
Ken Hazelwood becomes manager
July 1, 1978
Bullitt County office opens
July 1, 1983
Salt River members in the county finally receive office location.
New Bardstown warehouse is constructed
June 1, 1984
Building is completed at a cost of $672,472
Salt River celebrates 50th anniversary
April 19, 1987
New Branch Offices
October 1, 1990
Salt River Electric opens branch offices in Taylorsville and Springfield.