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Local and Cooperative-Owned: What makes Heartland Security different

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When you think about security systems, what kind of companies come to mind? Many people can name at least one national company, and possibly a few smaller companies. These companies probably include cable, phone, or Internet providers, or other companies who have added on security as part of their varied services.

Heartland Security is different for three reasons: we’re local, cooperative-owned, and life safety is all we do. We’re owned by 13 rural electric cooperatives, who were all founded to help local, rural farmers get the electricity they needed. These 13 private, non-profit cooperatives are owned by the people they serve, so we are a locally-owned business designed to serve our customers and communities. Unlike other companies that have added on security among their other offerings, Heartland Security specializes in alarm systems and video surveillance.


So why go local? What are some of the benefits?

Michael H. Shuman, author of Going Local, explained that “Going local…means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers…Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs.”

Heartland Security is locally owned, with local management, salespeople, technicians, and office staff. Although we serve a large region of central, western, and southern Minnesota as well as northern Iowa, our owner cooperatives are located throughout our region, giving us local support and presence.

An economic impact study in 2013 found that “55.3% of revenue from locally-owned businesses goes back to the local economy versus 13.6% from national chains.” (LocalFirst)

4 Reasons to Choose Local over National

1. Lower Price 

Keeping things local keeps our costs and prices lower than our national competitors. We may not have as large a presence as our national competitors, but we’ll pass our savings on to our customers.

2. Better Service

All of our employees are local to their area, from our sales team and technicians to our office staff. Our 24/7 response center is a part of one of our owner cooperatives based in Rockford, Minnesota. Our staff will take the time to get to know you and create solutions for your specific security needs. Many national companies are not based locally, and do not have a local monitoring station.

3. Job Creation

Choosing to get your security system locally helps our company grow, and allows us to hire more local employees, helping local economies. According to Sustainable Connections, “Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.”

4. Community Investment

“Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.” (Sustainable Connections) Heartland Security is owned by cooperatives, so we’re not going anywhere. We’ve been around since 1999 and will continue to provide reliable service for many years to come.


Spending a bunch of money on advertising doesn’t mean the company you see on TV is the right one for you. When it comes to protecting your home, valuables, and loved ones, don’t take a chance – go with a local company you can trust. Our entire focus is your peace of mind. For a free security analysiscontact us today.

Sources: LocalFirst – Why Local First?Sustainable Connections – Why Buy Locally Owned?CNN Money – ‘Buy Local’ Campaigns Can Actually Supercharge Sales