Rio Grande Electric Cooperative (Brackettville, Texas, U.S.) improved its mapping and communication capabilities by securing better access to geographic information system (GIS) technology through ESRI's (Redlands, California, U.S.) Small Utility Enterprise License Agreement program. The SU-ELA program makes it easier and more affordable for U.S. utilities with 100,000 meters/connections or fewer to get started or expand their GIS.

Rio Grande Electric Cooperative serves 11,804 meters spread throughout 18 counties in Texas and two in New Mexico. The utility maintains 9416 miles (15,153 km) of energized line, 143 miles (230 km) of transmission line and 116 miles (187 km) of underground line.

At the heart of the SU-ELA program is ESRI's ArcGIS software, an open, scalable and interoperable platform that provides a complete system to create, serve and use geographic information. An enterprise GIS, based on ArcGIS technology, benefits designers, analysts, decision makers, field staff and customers through mobile, Web, server and desktop applications.