Crow Wing Power is a member-owned electric cooperative in central Minnesota, providing reliable electricity to homes, businesses, and farms. Members have a voice in decisions, benefit from energy programs, and share in capital credit returns.
Welcome to your new Electric Cooperative
Welcome to Crow Wing Power! As a member-owned Cooperative, we’re committed to providing you with reliable electricity, excellent service, and community support. We’re glad to have you with us and look forward to serving you!
An electric cooperative is a member-owned, nonprofit utility that provides electricity to its members, primarily in rural areas. Unlike investor-owned utilities, co-ops are governed by a board of directors elected by members, ensuring local control and community-focused service. They operate on a cost-of-service basis, returning excess revenue to members as capital credits.
Cooperatives follow seven principles that are the foundational guidelines that govern cooperatives, ensuring they operate in the best interest of their members.
- Open and Voluntary Membership
- Democratic Member Control
- Members' Economic Participation
- Autonomy and Independence
- Education, Training and Information
- Cooperation Among Cooperatives
- Concern for Community
Learn more about The Cooperative Difference and what each of the Seven Cooperative Principles mean.
OUR Mission
Crow Wing Power exists to provide services and products valued by its members, customers and communities.
WHO WE ARE
Crow Wing Power’s core business is delivering and maintaining safe, reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost. Crow Wing Power is proud to offer quality products and service, while helping members manage their bills with energy efficiency programs.
Crow Wing Power (officially named Crow Wing Cooperative Power and Light Company) was formed on January 28, 1937, thanks to the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) by Franklin D. Roosevelt. On March 24, 1938, power to the first 140 Crow Wing Power members was turned on for the first time.
Since that time, Crow Wing Power has delivered reliable electricity to cooperative members’ homes, cabins, farms and businesses throughout Cass, Crow Wing, and Morrison Counties surrounding the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area in central Minnesota.
As a cooperative, Crow Wing Power is owned by its members and governed by an elected board of directors. Members receive friendly service from local employees who care about them and communities we live in, and members receive a share of the revenue over and above the cost of doing business in the form of capital credit refunds. That's because Crow Wing Power is accountable to our members, not stakeholders. With the cooperative philosophy, rates cover the cost of doing business and are not marked up to generate profit.
Learn more about Crow Wing Power.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Crow Wing Power’s Board of Directors act on behalf of the membership to guide operations and future planning for the Cooperative.
The board consists of nine member-consumers, elected by members, to determine the policies and procedures of the Cooperative. Members vote annually to elect directors. Ballots are mailed to members to elect three directors each year. Directors are elected to serve three-year terms.
The board meets monthly to discuss Cooperative business and make decisions on behalf of all members.
Learn more about the Board of Directors and review the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
Your Account
Learn more about member benefits and your account including your online portal - SmartHub, ways to pay, understanding your bill, receiving notifications and how to report outages.
SmartHub is more than a bill payment system, it delivers convenient account management and detailed usage information in an all-in-one, easy-to-use system. SmartHub is a mobile and web application that delivers accurate, timely account information and allows you to make payments in a secure environment, right from your mobile device or on your computer.
With SmartHub, you can:
- make a payment
- check your electric usage
- notify Crow Wing Power of account updates
- communicate directly with the cooperative
- setup and change AutoPay
- select your notification settings
SmartHub is easy to navigate. It’s simple and quick to make a payment or view your bill. You can compare bills and find out what day of the week you typically use the most electricity. You can also choose to receive an email alert when a payment is due or other account activity occurs.
Automatic Payments
Pay your bill on time, every time when you sign up for AutoPay. You can set up auto-pay online using SmartHub or over the phone with SecurePay (844) 834-4461.
Pay Online
Pay online in your SmartHub account, or use our PayNow feature to make a payment online without having to register for a SmartHub account. You just need your account number and name on the account to sign in and make your payment.
SmartHub Login Make Payment on PayNow
Pay by Phone (SecurePay)
You can pay your bill over the phone with SecurePay (844) 834-4461.
PrePay
PrePay allows members to pay for electricity upfront and use it until the balance runs out.
Budget Billing
Budget Billing is the payment plan that helps you balance your monthly payments. This option was designed to help our members avoid the "ups and downs" of seasonal electricity bills. Crow Wing Power determines this amount based on your previous 12 months usage history, anticipated energy costs and other factors. Budget Billing does not reduce your overall energy expense – it lets you spread out your expense, so you’ll be able to manage your household budget a little easier.
For more details or to enroll in the program call the Billing Department during our standard business hours Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
at (218) 829-2827 or (800) 648-9401.
Pay by Mail
You can mail your bill to us at:
Crow Wing Power
PO Box 507
Brainerd, MN 56401
- Do not mail cash.
- Make check payable to Crow Wing Power
- Do not staple or tape your check to your payment coupon.
- Write your Crow Wing Power account number on your check.
- Use blue or black ink.
Automatic Payments
Payments are accepted in the drive through or lobby of our Brainerd Headquarters, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. A convenient drop box is also available 24/7 at this office location.
17330 State Hwy 371 N
Brainerd, MN 56401
Crow Wing Power provides you with an explanation guide so you can have a clear understanding of everything that’s included on your monthly bill.
To Report an Outage
Call or text 'OUT' to 800-648-9401.
To Check the Status of an Outage
Visit the Outage Center page, view Current Outages or text 'STATUS' to 800-648-9401.
Planned Outages
At times, the equipment responsible for delivering power to your homes may require maintenance, replacement, or upgrades. In other instances de-energizing of lines are required when other utilities, road construction, or projects are carried out in certain areas. When these situations arise, and the risks associated with working on live power lines are deemed too high, we schedule planned outages to ensure the safety of our crews while they carry out the necessary work.
Find additional outage and restoration information, as well as tips to prepare for outages in our Outage Center.
More than eighty-six percent of Crow Wing Power members participate in Operation Round-Up® by allowing the Cooperative to round up their monthly electric bill to the nearest dollar.
Operation Round-Up® is a charitable giving program, unique to electric cooperatives, that is designed to provide financial donations to worthwhile community programs. Since the program’s inception in 1996, Operation Round-Up® and Crow Wing Power members have awarded over $4 million to local non-profit organizations and community service programs.
The rounded-up funds (an average of 50¢/month) are placed in a fund that is administered by an independent trust board made up of Cooperative members. Operation Round-Up® funds are given to local civic organizations and worthy causes through an application and selection process.
Program Participation
Crow Wing Power members are automatically enrolled in the Operation Round-Up® program when they sign up for electric service. Program details are included in the New Member Packet.
Member’s average contribution is 50 cents per month, or $6.00 a year.
To opt-out of the program, members need to notify Crow Wing Power by completing the Opt Out Form or calling (218) 829-2827.
Learn More about Operation Round-Up®
As a member of our electric cooperative, you have access to valuable resources, including our trusted subsidiaries and affiliates - Crow Wing Power Credit Union and People's Security, member-only rebates, energy efficiency programs, and clear billing policies designed with you in mind. We’re also committed to maintaining safe and reliable service through right-of-way management and vegetation control on cooperative property.
Crow Wing Power Credit Union
Crow Wing Power Credit Union was founded in January 1999 under the charter of Crow Wing Power to address the financial needs of cooperative members. As a not-for-profit financial institution, it was established to provide members with more affordable and accessible financial services while emphasizing personalized, knowledgeable support.
Crow Wing Power Credit Union (CWPCU)
People's Security
People's Security Company®, a subsidiary of Crow Wing Power, was established in 1988 to meet the growing need for reliable security services in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Recognizing the importance of safety for residential and business owners, Crow Wing Power founded the company to offer innovative security solutions tailored to the unique needs of the community.
Today, People's Security serves over 5,000 homes and businesses in the Brainerd Lakes Area and beyond. From monitoring vacation property temperatures to ensuring the safety of elderly relatives, the company offers custom-designed security systems to meet diverse needs and budgets. Guided by the principle of being "Always on Guard," People's Security remains dedicated to providing innovative, dependable security solutions for the community it serves.
Billing Policies
From time to time, members may experience financial hardships. Crow Wing Power will make every effort to work with you to resolve past due accounts.
If your payment is late, a 1.5% late fee of your total bill is applied.
If you get a disconnect notice, DO NOT IGNORE IT. Call Crow Wing Power immediately at 218-829-2827 or 800-648-9401 to discuss payment options.
You may qualify for one of Minnesota's utility payment protections laws:
- Disconnect Policy
- Cold Weather Rule
- Extreme Heat Law
- Military Protection
- Tax Exemptions
Go to the Billing Policies page for all of Crow Wing Power's Billing Policy information.
Home Heating
Keep every room warm and cozy with a home heating program from Crow Wing Power.
Cooling
Let your cooling system take an occasional time out while keeping your home cool and comfortable.
Water Heating
Our Water Heating Programs conserve energy and reduce demand during times of high demand.
Load Control
Check on predicted load control times for Crow Wing Power Energy Management Programs.
Security Lighting
If you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive way to protect your home, security lighting can do just that.
Save energy and money with Crow Wing Power’s residential rebates — exclusive savings available to our members on energy-efficient appliances, heating, cooling, and more!
View All Current Rebates Tax Credit Information Sales Tax Exempt
Right-of-Way Vegetation Management Program
Crow Wing Power's commitment to safe and reliable electrical service is represented by its continued management of vegetation along power lines. It is the objective of Crow Wing Power to manage vegetation within and adjacent to power line right-of-ways in a cost-effective manner that ensures safe conditions for its employees and the public; reliable uninterrupted electrical service to its members; clear access to lines for maintenance; and reduced workloads for future maintenance. To achieve this goal, Crow Wing Power has designed routine maintenance cycles that provide for an orderly completion of work on defined intervals, generally 6-7 years.
Planting trees and shrubs strategically around buildings can improve energy efficiency by providing shade, reducing cooling costs in summer, and acting as windbreaks to lower heating costs in winter.
Your Cooperative
Being a member of Crow Wing Power means more than just receiving electricity — it means being part of a cooperative built on local ownership, community values, and shared benefits. As a member-owner, you have a voice in how your co-op is run, including the right to vote for board members who represent your interests. It also means sharing in the financial success of the co-op through capital credits, which return margins back to members. Beyond energy, membership provides access to exclusive member-only events and programs, reinforcing the cooperative principle of concern for community and creating connections that go beyond the power lines.
Capital credits are one of the biggest benefits of being a member of Crow Wing Power. Because we’re a Cooperative, any money left over after operating expenses doesn’t go to outside investors — it goes back to the members. Each year, any margins (or profits) are allocated to members based on how much electricity they purchased. These allocations are called capital credits, and over time, as the Co-op’s financial condition allows, these credits are paid back to members in the form of a check or bill credit. It’s one of the ways we show that when you’re a member, you’re also an owner — and you share in the success of your Co-op.
Voting at Crow Wing Power is one of the most important ways you can participate as a member-owner. Because we’re a Cooperative, members have the power to elect the board of directors — the people who make decisions that impact rates, policies, and the future direction of the Co-op. Your vote helps ensure that board members represent the best interests of the membership and the community. It’s a key part of what makes cooperatives different from other utilities — you have a voice, and your vote helps shape the Co-op you own.
Staying connected with Crow Wing Power is easy! Members can keep up with important updates, news, and events through several communication channels. Follow us on social media — Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn — for quick updates, helpful tips, and community highlights. Watch for quarterly newsletters sent with your bill, monthly updates sent via email, and don’t forget to check the back of your bill for important messages. Our website is also a great resource for news, blogs, energy-saving advice, and member programs. Staying informed helps you get the most out of your membership and stay connected to your Cooperative.
Crow Wing Power hosts special member events each year as a way to connect with and celebrate our members. The Annual Business Meeting is a chance for members to hear co-op updates, vote in board elections, and win great prizes. Another favorite event is Celebrate You at the Zoo, where members and their families enjoy a fun day at Safari North Wildlife Park, complete with discounted admission and special activities. These events are just one of the many benefits of being a member-owner of Crow Wing Power, bringing our cooperative community together in fun and meaningful ways.
Crow Wing Power Contact Information
PHONE: 218-829-2827 or 1-800-648-9401
OUTAGES: Call or text 'OUT' to 1-800-648-9401
Headquarters
17330 St Hwy 371 N
Brainerd, MN 56401
Mailing
PO Box 507
Brainerd, MN 56401
EMAIL: info@cwpower.com
Our Community
At Crow Wing Power, community is at the heart of everything we do. As a local electric cooperative, we’re owned by the members we serve — our friends, neighbors, and families across the Brainerd Lakes area and beyond. That’s why we’re committed to giving back and making a positive impact in the places we call home.
From supporting local schools and youth programs to providing scholarships and safety education, Crow Wing Power invests in the future of our community. We contribute to local nonprofits, sponsor events, and partner with organizations that make a difference. Through initiatives like Operation Round-Up®, our members help support critical needs and projects right here in our area.
Operation Round-Up® Scholarships Safety Events Co-op Connections