14.11.2026 14:10
In Artvin, the Aşağı Maden Village Development Cooperative, with 218 members, a fleet of 60 vehicles, and 90 employees, contributes to the village economy. The cooperative, which began its activities by transporting personnel for mining companies, has most recently purchased and opened a fuel station with an investment of approximately 60 million lira. The income the cooperative, which has grown through the joint initiative of the villagers, will obtain from the station will be both distributed to members and used for the village's needs.
In Aşağı Maden village, affiliated with the center of Artvin, formerly named Hod and with 220 households, the development cooperative established by village residents in 2022 continues its investments. The cooperative, which began its work by providing personnel transportation to mining companies operating in the region, has over time increased its vehicle fleet and number of employees.
Reaching a total of 60 vehicles, including minibuses, bulk cargo tankers, and irrigation vehicles, the cooperative most recently purchased a fuel station on the Artvin-Erzurum highway. The business, opened for service under the name "Hod Petrol and Rest Facility" using the village's old name, is aimed at both providing income to the cooperative and contributing to the village's development.
An opening ceremony was held for the facility, which the cooperative management stated, according to their research, is the first fuel station in Turkey owned by village residents. At the opening attended by Artvin Governor Dr. Turan Ergün, village residents, and citizens, folk dances were performed and refreshments were served.
"COOPERATIVISM IS A MATTER OF HEART AND LABOR"
Speaking at the opening, Artvin Governor Dr. Turan Ergün said, "It is very valuable that such investments are realized in Artvin's unique geography. We are happy to be at the opening of Hod Petrol and Rest Facility. Cooperativism is one of the difficult areas to manage and make successful in Turkey. It requires heart, labor, and dedication. Our Aşağı Maden Village Cooperative, with its 218 members, has transformed economic activities in the region into a source of income for the village's development. This facility has also been taken over and renovated by the cooperative, turning it into a business that will provide continuous income. One of the most important expense items of transportation cooperatives is fuel. The ability of our drivers operating in the region to meet their fuel needs here will contribute to both our cooperative and our citizens. I thank our cooperative president and managers, who contributed to the realization of the investment, our village headman, and the managers of the mining company that cooperates with the local people."
THEY STARTED WITH PERSONNEL TRANSPORTATION AND BOUGHT A FUEL STATION
Engin Akdemir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aşağı Maden Village Development Cooperative, said, "There is mining work in our village. Our cooperative's activities also started with a focus on mining. First, we provided personnel transportation. We increased the number of minibuses as much as possible. Currently, we have 51 minibuses doing transportation work. We bought two bulk cargo tankers, that is, silo trailers. We also have two irrigation vehicles. We have reached a fleet of 60 vehicles in total. Following this, when the fuel station located in the area close to our village was put up for sale, we wanted to seize this opportunity. Considering the mining work in our region and the density of construction site groups, we thought this would be a right investment for us."
"OUR VILLAGERS CAN SAY, 'WE HAVE OUR OWN FUEL STATION'"
Stating that the investment is a source of pride for the village residents, Akdemir said, "In our research, we did not encounter another village example with a fuel station within a cooperative established by village residents. We have no unease about whether it will make a profit or not. We already have 60 vehicles of our own. We have our villagers, and there are mining companies in our region. By meeting the fuel needs of these vehicles and businesses here, we will reach a significant sales potential. This is a very pleasing and proud situation for us. Our villagers can also proudly say, 'We have our own fuel station.'"
ITS INCOME WILL CONTRIBUTE TO BOTH MEMBERS AND THE VILLAGE
Providing information about the cooperative's investments, Akdemir said, "Our cooperative was established in 2022. Our village has 150 households, and our cooperative has 218 members. We have 60 vehicles and 90 personnel working within our organization. The cost of our fuel station has reached approximately 60 million lira. The income obtained from here will be used for the needs and development of our village, as well as being distributed to our 218 members. We named our station Hod, the old name of our village. We are happy to realize this investment."