YOUR DIGITAL FRONT PORCH: STAYING CONNECTED WITH JACKSON EMC
Have you ever noticed something consistent about homes from the early 20th century? Big front porches. People would sit out there, enjoying the day, chatting with neighbors or simply taking in the view. The front porch was a gathering spot for staying connected with the community around them.
Fast forward to today, and while front porches may be less common, the spirit of connection they fostered is alive and well in the digital age, particularly through social media. It’s like a digital front porch, letting us chat with neighbors, stay updated and feel more connected to our community.
One of the easiest ways to stay plugged in to your electric cooperative is to follow us on social media. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube. You may be wondering, “So, why follow Jackson EMC on social media?”
When severe weather strikes or unexpected power outages happen, our social media channels are a valuable tool for sharing real-time updates about power restoration efforts. In fact, we welcome many new followers during major storms.
Following us ensures you’re staying in the know before and during major storms. You’ll find helpful tips for preparing your family before severe weather hits and information on how to stay safe.
Our members want to know how to save energy while staying comfortable in the chill of winter or the heat of summer. Other people may want to learn more about renewable energy or electric vehicles. In addition to JEMCO News and our website, we share easy-to-understand energy-saving tips on social media. Social media allows us to share videos with you explaining how renewable energy programs work or ways to save energy in your home.
Jackson EMC’s social media channels are also a great place to celebrate the amazing things happening in our community. From recognizing students participating in the Washington Youth Tour, to showcasing local teachers using their Bright Ideas grants in their classrooms, we share what’s happening. We also really enjoy seeing posts from nonprofits and schools we’ve partnered with to give you insights on the impact of a Jackson EMC Foundation grant or employees volunteering. Thank you for sharing!
And we want to hear from you! Social media is a great way for you to engage in your cooperative and connect with fellow members. When you comment, send a message, or tag us, our team is ready to listen and help. Did you have a positive experience with one of our linemen or customer service representatives? We’d love to hear about it! Your feedback inspires us and helps us improve.
At Jackson EMC, we see social media as another way of exceeding your expectations with courteous and personalized service. We’d love for you to join us on our digital front porch. Follow Jackson EMC on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube. Let’s
CHIP JAKINS President & CEO
Don’t Miss These Scholarship Opportunities
Are you looking for ways to fund your college education? Jackson EMC is proud to support students in our community with scholarship opportunities. Here are two programs to explore:
Walter Harrison Scholarship
Each year, the Walter Harrison Scholarship program awards $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and undergraduate students attending any vocational school or two-or four-year college or university in Georgia. Students must live in a primary residence served by Jackson EMC.
Deadline to apply: January 31
A.T. Sharpton Scholarship
Students attending the University of North Georgia may be eligible for the A.T. Sharpton scholarship, named in honor of A.T. “Troy” Sharpton, who served as chairman of the Jackson EMC Board of Directors from 1976 to 1989. Students must live in one of the 10 counties served by Jackson EMC. Contact your financial aid advisor at UNG for details.
FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY, SCAN THIS QR CODE: FOR MORE INFORMATION, SCAN THIS QR CODE:
Invest in your future by taking advantage of these opportunities. Don’t wait – apply today!
Find a Bill Payment Option That Works for You
If you’ve used our automated phone payment service, please be aware there’s a new phone number to make bill payments. Call 1-855-939-3531. Along with the pay-by-phone number, there are more convenient options for paying your bill, including:
Online Payments : Make a payment at MyJacksonEMC.com or with the MyJacksonEMC mobile app.
Phone Payments: Call 1-855-939-3531 to pay over the phone using our secure, automated payment service, which is available 24/7. Please note this is a new phone number and the previous phone number ending in 9166 is no longer available.
Mail: Send your payment to Jackson EMC at: Jackson EMC P.O. Box 166023
Altamonte Springs, FL 32716-6023
Payment Kiosks: Use a payment kiosk at one of our local offices in Gainesville, Jefferson, Lawrenceville or Neese to pay with cash, check or credit/debit card*. Kiosks are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Auto Pay: Pay your bill automatically each month through a draft from your bank account or credit/ debit card*. Sign up at MyJacksonEMC.com or with the MyJacksonEMC mobile app.
In Person: Visit one of our local offices to pay in person, including via drive-thru. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
*We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and debit cards.
FOR COMPLETE DETAILS, VISIT JACKSONEMC.COM/WAYSTOPAY OR SCAN THE QR CODE:
Avoid Mail Delivery Delays with Paperless Billing
Get your bill statement faster with paperless billing — delivered directly to your email, so you never have to worry about mail delays. Jackson EMC’s paperless billing program is quick, convenient and gives you peace of mind knowing your bill is always at your fingertips.
To enroll, log in to the MyJacksonEMC mobile app, go to "Settings," then "Paperless Bill Settings." On the website, select "My Profile," then "Update My Printed Bill Settings."
Visit jacksonemc.com/paperless for details or call 1-800-462-3690.
Affordable Comfort
Tips for Winter Energy Savings
Despite Georgia's reputation for summer heat, winter time temperatures can be extreme, too. Home heating during January and February is typically the biggest energy use.
Taking a few simple, proactive steps can help you ward off the cold while saving money on your monthly bill.
Low-to No-Cost Energy-Saving Tips
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter. Your heating cost will increase 3% for each degree above 68 degrees.
Check air filters every 1-2 months and replace when dirty. Clogged air filters restrict airflow and cause your compressor to work harder. Clean filters can save 5-15% on your electric bill.
Get a performance checkup every six months. Call an HVAC professional for semi-annual checkups and maintenance to ensure your system operates at peak performance.
Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees for energy efficiency.
Add caulking or weather stripping around doors, windows and attic access doors where air leaks out.
Smart Thermostat Rebate: Check out the Jackson EMC Marketplace for sales and rebates on top energy-saving smart thermostats.
Visit jacksonemcmarketplace.com
Heat Pump Rebate: Jackson EMC members can get a rebate up to $400 if they replace their heat pump with an ENERGY-STAR®-certified all-electric heat pump (minimum 16 SEER).
Visit jacksonemc.com/rebates
Contractor Network: Find a reliable local contractor for making energy-efficient upgrades or performing seasonal maintenance in Jackson EMC’s Contractor Network.
Visit jacksonemc.com/contractors
Heat pumps are the most energyefficient type of HVAC. The heat pump moves heat from the air outdoors to where it’s needed inside, warming your home. Heat pumps have two sources of heat: The heat pump, which is very efficient; and, the auxiliary heat (also called strip heat). Auxiliary heat is more expensive to operate, but it’s important to overall performance of the system.
In a standard mode, the system uses the heat pump to heat your house. However, when it’s very cold outside, the heat pump isn’t as effective, so auxiliary heat is needed. During extremely cold days, it’s normal for a heat pump to use auxiliary heat longer to keep the temperature inside your home comfortable. Your thermostat may display "AUX" for "auxiliary heat" or "emergency heat" when it's using auxiliary heat.
Raising the temperature of your thermostat more than two degrees when it’s extremely cold outside may make it difficult for your heat pump to keep up without using auxiliary heat.
Be mindful when your heat pump uses auxiliary heat. Relying on auxiliary heat for an extended period of time can dramatically increase your electric bill. Use the emergency setting only when there’s an actual emergency, such as when the heat pump compressor fails.
$111,200 IN GRANTS RECENTLY AWARDED
The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded a total of $111,200 in grants to organizations.
Organizational Grant Recipients:
$15,000 to the Ark United Ministry Outreach Center, Inc. , Athens, to help support its Eviction Prevention Program for residents in Clarke, Madison and Oglethorpe counties in financial crisis.
$15,000 to the Gwinnett County Public Library, to support its New Start Entrepreneurship Incubator Program for supplies, books, laptops and workshop supplies.
$15,000 to Interlocking Communities, Inc. (ICI), to support its Ready By Five Program for children in Barrow, Gwinnett and Hall counties to pursue excellence with measurable results, to assist with mastery of life skills, and to network with partner organizations.
$15,000 to the Tree House, Inc. , a children’s advocacy center working to reduce child abuse in Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties, for its Supervised Visitation Program, which provides a neutral, child-friendly environment for visits between children in foster care and their parents.
$10,000 to the Ark Family Preservation Center, for its Supervised Family Visitation Program, which provides a safe place for broken families in Banks, Franklin, Madison and Oglethorpe counties to complete referral or court-ordered interactive parent training and family therapy.
Community Impact: Friends of Disabled Adults and Children
In 1985, Ed and the late Annie Butchart noticed a critical gap in their community: many people with disabilities lacked access to essential medical equipment. Determined to make a change, they started refurbishing and repairing home medical equipment in their garage. By 1986, their passion had turned into a mission, and Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) was born.
Today, FODAC has grown into a leading nonprofit organization, providing refurbished medical equipment to people of all ages, from 18 months to 105 years old. Their services improve mobility, access to healthcare, and quality of life, empowering individuals to participate more fully in family and community activities.
$10,000 to My Sister’s Place, a shelter for homeless women and children serving all counties in the Jackson EMC service area, for its Empowerment Program.
$10,000 to Partnership Against Domestic Violence, for its Emergency Shelter for Survivors program for Gwinnett County residents.
$8,000 to South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, for its traumafocused therapy for child abuse victims in Lumpkin County.
$6,200 to Gateway House, which provides safety, shelter and support for those impacted by domestic violence, to support its Outdoor Therapy Program.
$5,000 to Freedom Path Counseling , to provide one-onone and group counseling services for residents in Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin and Madison counties.
$2,000 to Tiny Stiches, Suwanee, to provide materials and supplies for its network of volunteers to handcraft a 28- to 32-piece layette of clothing and blankets to keep an infant warm and dry for the first three months of life, donated to mothers in need in Gwinnett, Clarke and Hall counties.
A recent $15,000 grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation supported FODAC’s efforts to collect, sanitize, refurbish and distribute 1,500 pieces of medical equipment to 750 clients in Jackson EMC’s service area.
“The grant from the Jackson EMC Foundation allowed us to continue providing these essential services to the Jackson EMC community,” said Michelle Kaster, assistant development director. “[The Foundation grant] has made a tremendous impact, in partnership with other funds, contributing to 80% of our clients reporting increased mobility, improved access to healthcare and the ability to participate in activities they value most.”
MEMBERS MAKE IT DELICIOUS
Beef Barley Soup
INGREDIENTS:
Tbsp. oil
cups carrot, peeled and cut bite size small onion, chopped stalks celery, chopped
large garlic clove, peeled and minced quart beef broth
DIRECTIONS:
ARECIPESFEATUREDRECEIVE PRIZE PACKAGE WITH AN AIR FRYER & GOODIES.KITCHEN
14½ oz. can of plain diced tomatoes bay leaves
12 oz. cans of Butterfield Farms Roast Beef in beef broth, broken up (can be substituted for another brand)
cup Quaker Pearled Quick Barley Salt and pepper, as desired
In a soup pot, sauté carrots in oil for 4 minutes. Add onions, celery and garlic, sauté for 4 more minutes. Add beef broth, tomatoes, roast beef with juice and bay leaves and simmer, covered for 30 minutes. Add barley and simmer, covered for 20 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
"This
is a simple, quick and easy soup to make. I make it often for someone who is laid up with an illness or surgery. They always want the recipe.”
MARSHA SIMMONS, FLOWERY BRANCH
SEND US YOUR BEST RECIPES: RECIPES@JACKSONEMC.COM OR MAIL TO: COOPERATIVE COOKING | JACKSON EMC | PO BOX 38 | JEFFERSON, GA 30549 FIND RECIPES AT JACKSONEMC.COM/RECIPES.
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NEED TO KNOW
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) has its corporate office at 850 Commerce Highway in Jefferson, Ga., with district offices in Gainesville, Lawrenceville, Jefferson and Hull. Jackson EMC is a cooperative providing electric service to 10 Northeast Georgia counties – Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe.
The cooperative is governed by a nine-member board of directors geographically representing the service area. Board members serve three-year staggered terms. Board members representing Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Lumpkin counties will be elected at the 2025 Annual Meeting, which will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the corporate office in Jefferson.
Candidates may be nominated by the nominating committee, or by a petition complying with Article III Section 4 of the Bylaws that is signed by 50 or more members. Petitions must be delivered to the Corporation’s office in Jefferson not less than 150 days, and not more than 200 days, prior to the Annual Meeting. The complete director nomination and election process is contained in Articles II and III of the Jackson EMC Bylaws, which are available at jacksonemc.com or at any office.
YOUR POWER. YOUR COMMUNITY.
A PUBLICATION FOR JACKSON EMC MEMBERS
JACKSON EMC OFFICES
1000 Dawsonville Highway Gainesville, GA (770) 536-2415
85 Spratlin Mill Road Hull, GA (706) 548-5362
850 Commerce Road Jefferson, GA (706) 367-5281
825 Buford Dr Lawrenceville, GA (770) 963-6166
EMC SECURITY
55 Satellite Blvd., NW Suwanee, GA (770) 963-0305 or (706) 543-4009
jacksonemc.com
Know the Signs of Utility Scams
Utility scams are a growing concern for energy consumers. In today’s digital landscape, scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money or personal information. Jackson EMC is committed to helping you stay safe by recognizing the warning signs of energy scams.
Utility Scams:
Scammers typically disguise themselves – either physically or digitally – as utility employees or representatives to steal consumers’ money or personal information. Some common scams are:
• Payment Threats: Contacting you by phone, text, email or in person, claiming your bill is overdue and threatening to disconnect your service unless you make an immediate payment.
• Refund Scams: Pretending you’ve “overpaid” your electric bill and offering a refund in exchange for your personal or banking information.
Spotting a Scam:
There are several red flags to keep in mind to identify an energy scam:
• High-Pressure Tactics: Scammers may create a sense of urgency, insisting your electricity will be disconnected unless you pay “immediately.”
• Unusual Payment Requests: Demands for payment through unconventional methods, such as gift cards, cryptocurrency or prepaid debit cards.
• Suspicious Communication: Look for poor grammar, spelling mistakes or strange email addresses in messages claiming to be from a utility company.
Jackson EMC will never demand an immediate payment over the phone or email. If the request seems suspicious, contact us at 1-800-462-3691.
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