Dixie Electric’s 2020 annual membership meeting was held on Oct. 24, 2020, to elect board members and accept the member’s vote for the amendment to the Certification of Incorporation to offer high-speed internet services.

The 2020 annual meeting was historic. Members approved an amendment to the Certification of Incorporation to allow Dixie Electric to offer high-speed internet services. Previously, Dixie Electric’s incorporation documentation allowed for the sale of electricity. The amendment overwhelmingly passed with a 96 percent majority – 60 percent was needed for approval.

General Manager Randy Smith announced the newly formed internet subsidiary DE Fastlink, LCC and provided information about the high-speed internet pilot project, which is underway. DE Fastlink was incorporated in late August and will provide high-speed internet services through fiber optic technology. A decision on whether or not to expand DE Fastlink’s service across Dixie Electric’s service area will be made in early 2021. The “in favor” vote for the amendment was an important first step.

The members of Dixie Electric could attend the annual meeting in person with limited seating, or for the first time, view it online at dixieepa.com as a safety measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Opportunities for voting began in late August and mail-in balloting began in September. More than 5,500 members participated in Dixie Electric’s annual meeting by voting or submitting a proxy, which was a record-breaking voting year.  

For each vote cast or proxy submitted, Dixie Electric’s board of directors agreed to donate $1 to the Good Samaritan Center of Laurel, Petal Children’s Task Force and the Samaritan Closet and Pantry in Waynesboro. A donation of $5,585 will be divided equally among these three charities.