Some stories begin with a problem that seems impossible to solve. In 1935, rural communities across Paulding County faced exactly that kind of challenge. The big power companies looked at the distances, counted the costs, and delivered their verdict: serving rural areas wasn’t economical. Too far. Too expensive. Too risky.

But the people of Paulding County saw things differently.

They understood something those distant corporations didn’t—electricity isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. So, they did what determined communities do when nobody else will: they rolled up their sleeves and built their own solution. Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative was born from that gritty determination, founded by neighbors who believed their families deserved the same opportunities as anyone else.

From humble beginnings—sharing office space with Reinhart Chevrolet on the corner of Perry and Main, housing trucks alongside the livery stable—Paulding Putnam began stringing lines to places others wouldn’t go. The “REA Circus” traveled from farm to farm, teaching families how electricity could transform their daily lives—from lighting their homes to powering their equipment. What started with 2,400 members in 1941 has grown to nearly 14,000 today, but the mission remains unchanged: bringing essential services to the communities that need them most. 

Fast forward to July 2024, and history was repeating itself. Our board of trustees looked across our service territory and saw a familiar problem. Nearly 70% of our membership—especially those in rural areas—were unserved or underserved when it came to reliable, high-speed internet. Sound familiar? Once again, the big providers were saying the same thing their predecessors said about electricity 90 years ago: too far, too expensive, too risky. 

Just like our founders, we saw things differently. These days, reliable internet isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for everything from remote work and telehealth to staying connected with family and running a modern farm.

So, our board made the same kind of bold decision that created this cooperative in the first place: if nobody else will reliably serve our communities, we will. 

We surveyed our membership and the broader community to understand their needs and frustrations. What we heard was clear: 33% of respondents gave their current internet provider lower ratings because their service was too slow or inconsistent. People were tired of paying for promises that weren’t delivered.

A new service deserved a new brand to unite our electric and internet offerings as one. After last year’s member survey, we simplified our name to what you already call us: Paulding Putnam. Our revised logo now tells our complete story—the lightning bolt across the two Ps represents our electric heritage, while a new cable swoosh symbolizes our new fiber internet offering. Two essential services, one trusted cooperative.

On July 12, 2025, at our Member Appreciation Day, we dramatically unveiled our new brand with the installation of our updated front office sign. It was more than just a logo change—it was a declaration that we’re ready for the next chapter of serving our communities.

Our branding may look a little different, but make no mistake: we’re the same local, not-for-profit cooperative you’ve known and trusted for 90 years. We’re still owned by our members, still governed by neighbors you know, and still committed to the principle that essential services shouldn’t be a privilege based on where you live.

What’s changing is our capability. We’re bringing the same superior support and service you’ve experienced with our electric operations to high-speed fiber internet: residential speeds up to 1 Gig with symmetrical upload and download speeds, no contracts, no data limits, no hidden fees. Just reliable, fast internet designed specifically for our community.

This isn’t just about faster downloads or smoother streaming—though you’ll certainly get both. This fiber network strengthens our electric infrastructure too, enabling better communication between our equipment and shorter power outages. It’s an investment that benefits every member, whether you choose internet service or not.

We’re the same cooperative that brought power to rural areas when nobody else would. Today, we’re bringing the next essential service to communities that deserve better. Because at Paulding Putnam, we don’t just serve customers—we serve neighbors. We don’t just provide utilities—we power possibilities.

A legacy of power. A future of connection. That’s the local cooperative difference you can trust.