CCA Awards First Place to Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative & Powerful for Footer Illustration
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO—A handcrafted illustration at the bottom of a webpage may seem subtle, but for Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative (MLEC), it’s a quiet statement that just won national attention. The cooperative’s illustrated website footer—designed by Powerful—won first place in the 2025 Cooperative Communicators Association Contest under the “Programs and Projects – Illustration/Graphic Art” category.
The award-winning illustration isn’t just eye-catching—it’s a visual story that honors the co-op’s community roots. The custom footer features thoughtful depictions of everyday rural life in central Minnesota, from golden fields and fishing boats to hardworking lineworkers and local wildlife. Designed as a seamless part of MLEC’s full website redesign, the footer helps ground the cooperative’s digital presence in a sense of place and purpose.
“Design isn’t just about decoration… It’s about connection,” said Jeff Marshall, Director of Content and Design Operations at Powerful. “With MLEC’s footer, our goal was to create something that felt personal to their members while also supporting a clean, modern experience.”
Powerful collaborated closely with MLEC to understand their vision and community values. The result is a footer that mirrors the cooperative’s mission and complements the professional tone of the website. Its deeper blues and golden hues align with MLEC’s electric services, while cooler tones subtly signal the fiber side—maintaining a cohesive color palette across the site.
“From the start, MLEC wanted the website to reflect their pride in the community they serve,” Marshall said. “We took that to heart and made sure every detail, down to the footer, communicated that pride.”
Rather than treating the footer as a standard site element, Powerful transformed it into a memorable piece of the site’s identity. Visitors browsing the site not only find what they need—they’re also left with a lasting impression of MLEC’s commitment to its members and its rural surroundings.
“This kind of recognition is an honor,” Marshall added. “But the real reward is helping cooperatives like MLEC tell their story in a way that resonates with the people they serve.”
The Cooperative Communicators Association’s annual contest recognizes excellence in communication and design across cooperatives. Winning entries are judged on creativity, effectiveness, and alignment with cooperative values.
About Powerful
Powerful is a leader in designing human-centered websites for utility organizations, helping clients like Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative elevate their digital presence through custom design and intentional storytelling. With a focus on long-term partnerships, Powerful builds websites that prioritize accessibility, usability, and day-to-day functionality—making it easy for members to stay connected, complete essential tasks, and feel represented online. Each project is tailored to reflect the utility’s identity and community values. By partnering with Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative, Powerful delivered a website that not only serves its members efficiently but also celebrates its rural roots—most notably through the award-winning illustrated footer that brings MLEC’s mission to life.
About Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric utility serving Aitkin, Mille Lacs, and Crow Wing counties in central Minnesota. Committed to safety, reliability, and affordability, MLEC provides essential electric and broadband services to its rural communities. The cooperative operates with a strong sense of local pride and ownership, empowering members through responsive service and forward-thinking solutions.
