REA Project 75 was chartered in February 1937 and energized on August 11, 1938, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, later becoming Lamar Electric Membership Corporation. On January 23, 2005, as its name was changed to Southern Rivers Energy, the cooperative was dedicated to the incorporating board of directors in recognition of their dedication to the community and their foresight and diligence in making the cooperative an asset to its members and the community it serves. The incorporating board of directors was H.L. Smith, president; O.L. Carter, vice president; A.N. Moye, secretary; E.C. Milner, treasurer; J.E. Ballard, Sr.; H.L. Brandenburg; C.J. Childs; W.H. Dunn; W.P. Elder; and W.Y. Andrews, manager, with H.J. Kennedy, Sr., as attorney.