LREC celebrates 85 years with a statue dedication

This year marks the 85th anniversary of local farmers and rural residents banding together to form Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC), one of Great River Energy’s 28 member-owner cooperatives.

This group of people brought electricity to the people and farms located in surrounding rural areas which improved — and forever changed — the quality of life and farming operations. To celebrate this milestone, LREC held a dedication on Oct. 13 for all employees and board members — past, present and future.

During the celebration, LREC officially dedicated its lineworker statue to former and current employees, board members and their respective families.

“I am so thankful we were able to build this statue in front of our building,” said LREC Chief Executive Officer Tim Thompson. “Some days, it reminds me of the grit and dedication it took to build this cooperative. Some days, it reminds me of the risks and dangers our employees deal with and how important our safety is.”

Thompson noted the statue is “an enduring tribute to everyone in our cooperative — not just the lineworker who is depicted, but also all of our current and former employees, along with all of our current and former board members.”

“Each has served LREC [and] diligently worked to provide our members with safe, reliable and affordable electricity, as well as the innovative services that will grow the cooperative and improve lives,” he said. “Let this statue serve as a reminder during the days and nights when the lights shin upon it how LREC employees demonstrate never-ending effort put into our cooperative regardless of the conditions.”