Oneota Co-op has its best year ever

Both General Manager David Lester and Board President Steve McCargar labeled 2013 as one of the best, if not the best year ever, for the Oneota Community Co-op at its annual meeting last Thursday.

Highlights shared at the meeting included:

• Annual sales of over $4.5 million, well exceeding last year and the anticipated/budgeted increase
• 432 new members, increasing membership to 4,279 – the largest increase since moving into the new building in 2008
• Early payment of $110,000 in members loans
• Installation of 20,000 watt solar array on building roof
• Distribution of over $50,000 in patronage dividends
• Over $13,000 in charity to local non-profits and community organizations
• $940,000, or 21 percent of total sales, from "local" production

The board also completed a revised Mission Statement and Five Year Strategic Plan.