Celebrated by cooperatives nationwide during the month of October, National Co-op Month is an annual opportunity to look at the many qualities that make them unique. Cooperatives are motivated by people and their needs, not by profit. The seven cooperative principles guide electric cooperatives to operate differently from other electric utilities, putting the needs of […]
Concern for community: A top principle for co-ops Read More »
Cooperatives are built on the principle that a group of people united for a common cause is a powerful force. This is especially true when a cooperative must recover from a natural disaster. Great River Energy’s board of directors recently pledged $25,000 to the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association to aid in the relief effort for
Helping co-ops in crisis: Board pledges $25,000 for Hurricane Ian recovery Read More »
Stearns Electric Association lineman Mike Siemers recently earned a LIFEguard Award through the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA). MREA recognizes cooperative employees throughout the state who go above and beyond the expectations of keeping individuals safe through its LIFEguard program. Siemers, a journeylineman for Stearns Electric — one of Great River Energy’s 28 member-owner cooperatives
Co-op lineman earns MREA LIFEguard Award Read More »
More than 3,400 young Minnesota Twins fans were able to learn the fundamentals of baseball and softball for free this past summer through a long-standing partnership between the Major League Baseball club and Great River Energy. Created in 1961 by Twins scout Angelo Guiliani, the Play Ball! Minnesota youth clinics serve as a way to
Youth clinics see successful season Read More »
Eighteen students visiting from the Ukraine recently toured Great River Energy’s Maple Grove headquarters and received a taste of home during the event. The students, ages 13 through 18, were in Minnesota as part of a five-week business and entrepreneurship program sponsored by Global Synergy Group, a nonprofit whose goal is to strengthen communities in
Ukrainian students learn about leadership, energy during tour Read More »
A coalition of electric cooperatives worked together to hold the first annual Southwest MN Electric Vehicle (EV) event where rural residents were able to get a firsthand look at — and even test drive — several EV models. The event, held Aug. 10 at the Windom Community Center, also helped raise awareness of the many
Cooperatives bring EVs to Greater Minnesota Read More »
Electric cooperatives serve their members with the electric power necessary for community businesses and residents to operate and live as they prefer. The economic development services cooperatives provide are also some of the most critical resources that local projects and communities need. But sometimes, the cooperatives are the economic development projects themselves. For example, some
Cooperatives serve members by investing in their communities Read More »
Approximately 45 Great River Energy employees rolled up their sleeves to support the Habitat for Humanity organization for five days this month. The Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is committed to building quality of life, health and economic prosperity of the seven-county metro region by producing, preserving and advocating for affordable homeownership. The organization’s mission
Employees volunteer time to create a family’s future home Read More »
Electric cooperatives do more than just provide a necessary service to their members; they also have a vested interest in the success of the communities they serve. They show a commitment to these communities in various ways, including monetary donations to nonprofit organizations. Between Great River Energy and one of its member-owner cooperatives, 20 food
Co-ops donate year-end dollars to fire departments, food pantries Read More »
The end of the year is a time for reflection. For Great River Energy, that means looking back and taking stock of all the ways it upheld the founding principles of what it means to be a cooperative, including “concern for community.” The world needed to adjust and adapt for another year due to the
Co-op focuses on community year-round Read More »