With the snip of a ribbon and some words of reflection, United officially returned its headquarters designation to Cleburne, bringing the story of United full circle and reaffirming its commitment to members and the community.

The new building’s large community room was both the centerpiece of the day and a symbol of United’s forward-looking vision—designed to serve both members and local organizations. 

“This room is for you,” Smallwood said. “Whether you need a small meeting space or the entire room, we want it to be a resource for the community.”

In his remarks, United CEO Cameron Smallwood welcomed more than 160 guests to the reopening and reminded the crowd that Cleburne has deep ties to the cooperative’s history. 

“Back in 2000, when Johnson County Electric and Erath County Electric consolidated to form United Cooperative Services, the board of directors chose Cleburne as the headquarters,” he said. “Later, that designation shifted to Burleson. But with the completion of this new facility, the board has officially restored Cleburne as the headquarters—bringing us back to where it all started. This is a great thing for the city of Cleburne and our membership.”

The event drew dignitaries, local leaders and cooperative members who gathered to mark the occasion. Among those who offered remarks was State Sen. Brian Birdwell, who represented Johnson County prior to redistricting. Birdwell reflected on his long relationship with United and praised the cooperative for its service and reliability.

“United has been a great partner,” Birdwell said. “The manner in which they handled the February 2021 winter storm was done with excellence. I was also able to get United’s high-speed internet in my neighborhood, and we’ve had much more reliable service than a competitor, whose name shall not be spoken,” he said, drawing laughs from the audience.

Birdwell also pointed to the broader significance of United’s role in the region.

“You can tell from the growth in Johnson County and the Metroplex area—good things are happening,” Birdwell said. “Secure power and reliable internet at a fair market rate makes communities stronger, and this new facility will help carry that mission forward as Texas continues to grow.”

His message underscored both continuity and renewal. By investing in Cleburne again, United is not only honoring its history, but also preparing for the demands of a rapidly growing region.

United’s Board of Directors was present, underscoring the cooperative’s member-driven governance.

The cooperative’s community partnerships were also recognized during the program by the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce. Chairman Tom Martin presented a commemorative plaque on behalf of the chamber, expressing gratitude for United’s long-standing partnership.

“Thank you for choosing Cleburne and Johnson County,” Martin said. “Y’all have been great partners in this community for many years.”

Cleburne city officials echoed that sentiment, noting that United is not only a utility provider, but also an integral community partner that supports growth and quality of life.

The program culminated in a ribbon cutting and tours of the facility. As groups explored the new building, State Rep. Helen Kerwin joined a group for a behind-the-scenes look. Kerwin was especially intrigued by United’s system operations room, which operates 24/7 monitoring and responding to outages and system disruptions for both electric and internet services.  

While Friday’s event was festive, the underlying message was serious: United Cooperative Services is making a long-term investment in its membership.

“This facility is not only our headquarters, it’s a place for our members and our community,” Smallwood said. 

“As Johnson County and surrounding areas continue to grow, the cooperative’s expanded footprint in Cleburne underscores its dual mission of providing reliable, affordable utility services and strengthening the communities it serves.”