Month: August 2015

On page 5 of the August 2015 edition of South Carolina Living magazine, we featured the Washington Youth Tour and the four students who represented us.  Nate Fata, of Socastee High School, shared his experience with readers. 

This summer I had the pleasure of touring Washington, D.C., as part of the electric co-ops’ Youth Tour. Of all the incredible experiences that I had, the most memorable was meeting U.S. Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Tom Rice (R-Dist. 7). Meeting them on this trip singlehandedly changed my view of our state’s national leaders.

On the Tuesday morning of the Youth Tour, I walked with my fellow South Carolinian peers to the Cannon House Office Building from the U.S. Supreme Court, where we had visited earlier that morning. Rep. Rice and his staff received the 10 or so of us from his district with warm smiles and outstretched hands. The congressman was very outgoing and hospitable, engaging each of us in conversation. He asked us about school, and what we thought of D.C., and only talked to us about politics when we asked him questions about local trade issues.

After meeting Rep. Rice and touring the Capitol, we met Sens. Scott and Graham on the back steps for pictures. They arrived shortly after, and were not only very friendly, but also experienced selfie-takers! Sen. Scott arrived first, and happily took pictures with all 73 of us. He cracked jokes the whole time, and even complimented me on my sunglasses. Sen. Graham arrived shortly after, expressing regret that he would only be able to take a few pictures, due to his pressing schedule as a presidential candidate. However, to my knowledge, he did not refuse a single person a picture or handshake who wanted one.

This experience changed my outlook on our leaders. In person, they seemed to be down-to-earth, funny, and easy to relate to, instead of the somewhat remote, distant politicians that the media, whether purposefully or not, often portrays them.

In his column published in the August edition of South Carolina Living magazine, Executive Vice President and CEO, James P. “Pat” Howle alerted members about remodeling plans that will impact members who use the Socastee office. The remodeling project is scheduled to begin September 28. 

CONVENIENCE is the name of the game in today’s fast-paced world, which is why we offer a variety of payment options—everything from mobile apps to My Energy Online to pay stations at many local banks to Bank Draft.

Even so, many members of Horry Electric Cooperative still value the time-honored tradition of transacting business in person, which, of course, we welcome.

It’s always a pleasure to see our members, both at our Conway and Socastee offices. In order to enhance our service to members at both locations, we will be making some changes over the next several months.

The Socastee office will undergo significant improvements which will entail a few temporary changes for members. Effective at the end of the business day on Sept. 25, we’ll be moving next door to our sister co-op, Horry Telephone Cooperative (HTC).

When the business day begins on September 28,  members will be able to find us next door  and will be able to pay bills and conduct other HEC business.

The Conway office, meanwhile, will be conducting business as usual on Cultra Road, with just a few minor, temporary inconveniences.

We’re still finalizing plans at this point, but promise to keep you posted on our progress through South Carolina Living, our Facebook page and other social media, as well as signage at both locations, of course.

We hope you’ll pardon the temporary inconvenience, but recognize that, as with everything we do at Horry Electric, it’s being done with better member service in mind.

The new and improved Co-op Connections® App is ready to be downloaded!

“The updated version is a great way for members to find deals in their neighborhood and while traveling,” says Toni Gore, whose responsibilities at Horry Electric include getting local businesses signed up to participate in the program. “The app also provides members with a digital card they can show at local merchants and at the pharmacy when filling a prescription.

In an effort to be more of an “all in one” app, quick links to  Locate Healthy Savings Providers, Cash Back Mall and the Appliance Rebate Finder have been added to the app. 

The app is free and available for iOS and Droid devices. “If you had the original version, you should have received an update alert,” says Gore.

The August 2015 edition of South Carolina Living magazine has been delivered to the mailboxes of members and subscribers and it’s also available online!

Horry Electric local highlights include:

• CEO Column: A few changes to better serve you
• Youth Tour 2015 Report
• Co-op Connections® Local Discounts: Support local businesses and save money!  There are more than 100 on the current list.